Car Rental in Clermont-Ferrand

Why rent a car in Clermont-Ferrand?

Clermont-Ferrand is a great place to visit. It might not be Paris or Marseille, but this small city is home to beautiful museums and galleries, a stunning Gothic cathedral, and well-preserved architecture. The city is surrounded by unique nature areas including dormant volcanoes and national parks full of wildlife and hiking trails. Lyon, one of Europe’s most unique cities, is practically next door, and the Mediterranean coast is just a short drive south. 

Top ways to enter Clermont-Ferrand

• Clermont-Ferrand Airport: Also known as Clermont Ferrand-Auvergne after the larger region which it serves, this small airport handled 431,000 travelers in 2019. The airport is served by five different airlines, although some flights are only active during the summer months. Located just 6.5km (4 miles) east of the city center, the airport can be reached in about 15 minutes.
• Lyon Airport: Also known as Saint-Exupery Airport and Lyon-Satolas, it served more than 11 million travelers in 2019 making it the fourth-busiest airport in France. Lyon is a focus city for a number of airlines including Air France, HOP!, and easyJet. Located 190km (118 miles) east of Clermont-Ferrand, the airport can be reached in about two hours.
• Limoges Bellegarde Airport: Serving Limoges, the largest city in the department of Haute-Vienne department, this small airport handles about 300,000 travelers every year. The airport is served by four different airlines and offers domestic connections as well as flights to and from various destinations in the United Kingdom. Located 240km (150 miles) west of Clermont-Ferrand, Limoges Airport can be reached in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
• Alpes–Isère Airport: Another small international airport near the city of Grenoble, it is only open during the winter months when it offers access to winter sports bases in the French Alps. Nonetheless, with the airport hosting flights to and from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Poland, and other European countries, flying here can be a good way to access all of southern France Located 255km (160 miles) east of Clermont-Ferrand, the airport can be reached in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
• Montpellier Airport: One of the fastest-growing airports in the country, Montpellier–Méditerranée handled nearly two million travelers in 2018. Located near the Mediterranean coast, the airport hosts the flights of around 20 different airlines which offer flights to and from destinations all over Europe as well as some in North Africa. The airport is located 340km (211 miles) south of Clermont-Ferrand and can be reached in about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• By rail: If arriving in Clermont-Ferrand by train, you can pick up your rental car at the Gare de Clermont-Ferrand railway station. 

City facts

• Clermont-Ferrand has a humid subtropical climate with oceanic influences. The average high temperature is 27°C  (78°F) in July, the warmest month, and 8°C  (46°F) in January, the coldest. Extreme temperatures can also occur, with the city having experienced both temperatures of 41°C (106°F) and -29°C (-20°F) in 2019. Clermont-Ferrand is one of the driest cities in France with a small spike in precipitation usually occurring from May to June and from August to September.
• Considered one of the oldest cities in the region, Clermont-Ferrand was inhabited by different Celtic tribes and was mentioned in the writings of the ancient Greek geographer Strabo. Later, the city was invaded (and ruled) by the Romans, Visigoths, Carolingians, Vikings, and other powers. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the largest cities in the region. It became the property of the French Crown in 1531. The modern city was created in the 17th century by the union of two former rival towns, Clermont and Montferrand. In the 19th century, it experienced a period of growth and prosperity, which led to the construction of many buildings and monuments, including the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. In the 1960s, the city underwent a new wave of development, and today it is a nationally important cultural, economic and academic center.

Top sights and activities

• Many monuments have dark colors ranging from light gray to deep black. This is due to the black Volvic stone, the traditional building material used.
• Place de Jaude. The beating heart of the city, the central square is the place where many of Clermont’s best restaurants, cafes, and performance venues are located. It is also home to not one, but three interesting statues - the most important one is dedicated to the Gallic leader Vercingetorix who fought Julius Caesar, but there are also monuments of Pope Urban II and scientist Blaise Pascal.
• Clermont Ferrand Cathedral. Also known by its full name, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption of Clermont-Ferrand, this beautiful Gothic church is one of the landmarks of the city. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries in the place of former cathedrals which were destroyed during various wars, it is made entirely from a distinctly black lava stone obtained in the nearby volcanic mountains. The cathedral houses - among other things - two large and magnificent rose windows, wall paintings dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, and a very old clock striking every half hour. Its two 108-meter high towers, completed by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century, can be seen from a great distance and are one of the town's symbols.
• The Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port is a Romanesque basilica, formerly a collegiate church. Situated in the Port district of Clermont-Ferrand, the church was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the Pilgrimage Route to Santiago de Compostela in France. The elevation of the chevet, the semi-circular arches and the finesse of the sculptures bear witness to the mastery of the builders of the time. The church features a beautiful tympanum carved on the south portal and remarkable capitals.
• The historic district of Montferrand and its old houses and mansions, including the "Maison de l'Éléphant" (12th century), the Hôtel d'Albiat (16th century), the Hôtel de Fontenilhes (16th century), etc.
• Roger-Quilliot Museum. An interesting, high-quality museum, it hosts pieces of art made by famous French masters as well as the best works of the artists of the Auvergne region. The museum also has a collection of almost 2,000 works from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
• The Bargoin Museum exhibits mainly archaeological collections and textile works.
  The Henri-Lecoq Natural History Museum houses rich collections in various fields: botany, geology, paleontology, zoology, science and technology.
• L'Aventure Michelin is a museum of the Michelin brand whose historical headquarters are located in Clermont-Ferrand.

Traffic and parking

• The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Unlike for inter-city roads, the urban speed limit is unaffected by weather.
• Outside cities and as of May 2019, the speed limit depends on the type of the road. Highways are limited to 130 km/h, 4-lane expressways to 110km/h, and 2 or 3-lane roads to 90 km/h. When it is raining, the limits are respectively lowered to 110 km/h, 100 km/h, and 80 km/h. The general speed limit is lowered to 50 km/h during periods of heavy fog or other times of impaired visibility.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When you are driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• As of 2019, hands-free mobile phone use is banned in France and the fines are hefty.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the main highways in France (autoroute in French) are toll roads. Their names start with letter A and you can recognize them by a red number sign. The toll for taking a toll road depends on the specific route, the distance, as well as the type of your vehicle - cars with trailers and caravans have to pay more than regular cars. You can pay by credit card or with cash. You’ll be given a ticket that you have to keep while on the toll road.

Some rental cars are equipped with toll road transporters and can use the automatic toll road payment booths (Télépéage). Ask your rental car provider to find out if they offer cars with toll road transporters.

See the official French toll road website for more information. Use the website's toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route.

Ideas for day trips

• Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park. Volcanoes are not the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of France, but Clermont-Ferrand is surrounded by a number of extinct volcanoes. The largest of them, Puy de Dôme, can be seen from most places in the city and has become a symbol of Clermont-Ferrand. The Volcanic Regional Nature Park is a protected area where you can take in the stunning landscape. You can also visit Vulcania, a volcano-based theme park with many attractions and information about the unique geology of the area. The volcanoes nature park is 23km (14 miles) southwest of Clermont-Ferrand and can be reached in about 30 minutes.
• Vulcania is an amusement park located 20 km from Clermont-Ferrand, in the heart of the Volcanoes of Auvergne. It is a place of leisure as well as learning which provides a better understanding of how volcanoes and our planet work.
• Located 15 km north of Clermont-Ferrand, Riom is a tourist town classified as “Pays d’Art et d’Histoire”. The city was the capital of the Land of Auvergne and then the Duchy of Auvergne from 1210. The historic center is home to many old houses in which wealthy bourgeois families lived.
• Livradois-Forez Natural Regional Park. More traditional than the volcanoes nature park but just as beautiful, Livradois-Forez is a protected area to the east of Clermont-Ferrand. Made up woodlands, deep valleys, and hiking trails, the park is home to unique raptors like the grey buzzard and red kite. Located some 60km (37 miles) from Clermont-Ferrand, the park takes 50 minutes to reach.
• Mont Dore. Located inside the Auvergne Volcanoes regional nature park, Mont Dore is the most famous spa town in the Auvergne region. Located on the banks of the Dordogne river, Mont Dore’s thermal springs and their healing qualities have been known since at least Roman times. In addition to spas, the hilly setting of town also makes it a regional hub for skiing and hiking. The drive from Clermont-Ferrand takes only about 50 minutes.
• The Auvergne region has some of the most beautiful villages in France: Arlempdes, Blesle, Charroux, Lavaudieu, Lavoûte-Chilhac, Montpeyroux, Polignac, Pradelles, Salers, Tournemire, Usson. These localities are the goal of beautiful excursions by car from Clermont-Ferrand.
• Vichy. Nowadays an unassuming regional town of about 25,000 souls, Vichy is known for its historical importance as it was the de-facto capital of Nazi-occupied France in the early 1940s. In addition to this, Vichy is a famous spa town that has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021, along with ten other European spa towns. The town is also home to five interesting museums. The drive from Clermont-Ferrand takes one hour and ten minutes.
• Lyon. The largest city in south-central France and the third-largest in the country, Lyon is a stunning place. Home to the second-largest Renaissance heritage in Europe (after only Venice), the city is known for the grandness of its churches and palaces and the quality of its cuisine which is rumored to be the best in all of France. Located 167km (104 miles) east of Clermont-Ferrand, Lyon can be reached in just two hours.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Clermont-Ferrand is the Citroen C4, although many travelers also go for the Renault Clio and Ford Fiesta. The most popular rental car types are compact, economy, and standard.

Further destinations

• Paris. From the Eiffel Tower to Champs-Élysées and Sacré Coeur, the City of Lights has an abundance of world-class attractions. But it can be just as fun to get off the beaten path and visit the artist residency at 59 Rivoli or go on a tour of the Paris catacombs. Whichever you choose, prepare to be impressed. Located 425km (264 miles) north of Clermont-Ferrand, Paris can be reached in about 4 hours and 20 minutes.
• Dijon. As famous for mustard as it is for its well-preserved architecture, Dijon is one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern France. Better yet, it is also near beautiful nature areas like Morvan Regional Nature Park (to the west) and Forests National Park (to the north). The drive from Clermont-Ferrand to Dijon takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
• The region of Périgord is rich in history and culture located in southwest France. It is a land of wonders, dotted with medieval towns, picturesque villages, splendid castles, and beautiful landscapes. The region is known for its gastronomic products, historical sites and monuments, including the majestic Lascaux cave, the medieval castle of Beynac and the hanging gardens of Marqueyssac. Périgueux, the capital of the province and county town of the Dordogne département, is 250 km from Clermont-Ferrand, a 3-hour drive.
• Bordeaux. The world capital of red wine, Bordeaux is a household name in tourism and one of the most visited cities in France. Known for its picturesque location on the Garonne River, the UNESCO-recognized Old Town, and the bucolic countryside that surrounds it, Bordeaux also has some lovely art and nature museums and provides access to a number of nearby nature preserves. The drive west of Clermont–Ferrand to get here takes four hours.
• Toulouse. The largest metropolis of southwestern France, Toulouse doesn’t get quite the same amount as some of its coastal counterparts but can be an amazing place to visit. Known as the Pink City thanks to the hue dominant in much of its architecture, it has everything from Roman artifacts to a lively arts scene and being a center of French aviation with some landmarks tied to that industry. The capital of the Occitanie region, Toulouse is a four-hour drive from Clermont–Ferrand and can serve as a gateway to the Bay of Biscay as well as the French Pyrenees (more on that below).
• The region of Languedoc is a must-see destination for those who love the sun and the good life. The region, bathed by the Mediterranean, offers many landscapes, sites and towns to discover. Visitors can find a rich and varied history between fine sandy beaches, green hills, picturesque villages, and magnificent landscapes. These include Nîmes, Aigues-Mortes, Béziers, Narbonne, Carcassonne and Perpignan. The largest city, Montpellier, has many monuments, museums to explore, and a rich architectural heritage. Montpellier is 335 km from Clermont-Ferrand (about a 3 hours 40 minutes drive).
• The Pyrenees. Although they might not be as high as the Alps, the Pyrenees is one of the most scenic places in Europe. Stretching from the Bay of Biscay all the way to the Mediterranean, the mountain range encompasses beautiful national parks, stunning long valleys, and tiny villages that have changed little over the centuries. Lourdes, a city often seen as one of the gateways to the Pyrenees, is 545km (338 miles) from Clermont-Ferrand and can be reached in just over five hours.
• The French Riviera. The home of golden beaches, millionaires, and expensive yachts, Côte d’Azur is all about glamor. Travel here if you feel like going on a shopping spree, getting a perfect tan, learning how to do a new water sport, or slowly sipping a cocktail at a world-class beach restaurant. Saint-Tropez, perhaps the most famous beach town of them all, is 575km (357 miles) from Clermont-Ferrand and can be reached in about 5 hours and 40 minutes.

Car rental prices in Clermont-Ferrand

• Large cars - from $70 per day
• Vans - from $161 per day
• Medium cars - from $53 per day
• Small cars - from $42 per day
• SUVs - from $80 per day
• Station wagons - from $109 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Improve your odds of landing a cheap rental car in France by following these tips:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Clermont-Ferrand is the cheapest in August when renting a car is about 40% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 63% cheaper than renting a car in March.