What to Do in Puy-de-Dôme When It Rains: 15 Indoor Activities
Clouds clinging to the volcanoes, a shower drumming on the terrace of your mobile home… Why not take the chance to discover another side of Auvergne?
At Camping de la Croze in Châtel-Guyon, you’re just a stone’s throw from plenty of indoor, underground and wonderfully warm places. Most of them are less than 35 minutes away by car. Here are our 15 ideas to turn a rainy day into a great holiday memory.
The big indoor attractions of Puy-de-Dôme
1. Vulcania, the volcano theme park (30 min)
Set off to conquer the volcanoes… without a single drop of rain! At Vulcania, most of the attractions are indoors: dynamic films, a planetarium, exhibitions and simulators.
Young and old can easily spend the whole day there. A tip: book your tickets online, because on rainy days everyone has the same idea. Also discover our campsite near Vulcania.
2. Lemptégy Volcano, aboard the covered little train (30 min)
A shower? No problem! At Lemptégy, the covered little train takes you into the heart of a real open-air volcano, safely sheltered. Volcanic bombs, lava chimneys, colourful rock walls: in the rain, the colours of the rock stand out even more. Everything you need to know about Lemptégy Volcano.
3. L’Aventure Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand (25 min)
Climb aboard the story of a legendary brand! L’Aventure Michelin takes you through the epic tale of the Michelin brothers and Bibendum, among iconic vehicles and driving simulators.
Children aren’t forgotten: a play area welcomes them from age 5, and an adventure game on tablet is played as a family. Entry is free for under-7s.
4. ASM Expérience, at the heart of rugby (25 min)
Right next door, at the Marcel-Michelin stadium, ASM Expérience opens the doors to the behind-the-scenes world of Clermont’s famous rugby club: changing rooms, penalty-kick simulators and a stadium tour. The perfect idea to combine two visits in the same afternoon.
Underground: Auvergne from the inside
5. The Grotte de la Pierre de Volvic (10 min)
Step into the heart of a lava flow! At the Grotte de la Pierre de Volvic, you walk through the galleries where the famous black Volvic stone was once quarried.
The visit lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes, and a 45-minute fairytale tour will delight the youngest. Bring a warm layer: it’s cool underground, even in the middle of summer. More ideas around Volvic on our campsite near Volvic page.
Warm up in hot water
6. The Aïga thermal spa in Châtel-Guyon (5 min)
Imagine… Rain trickles down the windows while you relax in wonderfully warm thermal water. At the Aïga Resort thermal spa, right in the centre of Châtel-Guyon, a large 150 m² pool awaits you with jets, counter-current swimming and bubbling loungers. Hammams and a relaxation room complete the experience.
Good deal: thanks to our partnership, enjoy a 10% discount with the voucher available at the campsite reception. Coming for a spa cure? Discover our campsite for spa guests in Châtel-Guyon.
7. The Béatrice Hess aquatic centre in Riom (5 min)
Want to burn off some energy despite the weather? In Riom, the Béatrice Hess aquatic centre is fully covered. It offers a large 25 m sports pool for swimmers, a leisure pool with geysers and a waterfall, and a paddling pool full of games for the little ones. Not to mention the 68-metre water slide, which kids absolutely love.
Museums and heritage: culture in the dry
8. The museums of Riom (5 min)
Riom, a town of art and history, has two lovely surprises in store. The Musée Mandet displays paintings and decorative arts in two elegant mansions. The Musée régional d’Auvergne takes you back to the life of yesteryear, with its traditional costumes, tools and furniture.
9. The Sainte-Chapelle of Riom (5 min)
A 14th-century Gothic gem, the Sainte-Chapelle houses exceptional stained-glass windows. Admire their colours, then stroll through the lanes of the old town between showers. All our visit ideas on our campsite near Riom page.
10. The cathedral and Notre-Dame-du-Port in Clermont-Ferrand (25 min)
Look up at the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption cathedral, built from black Volvic lava stone. Entry is free.
A few streets away, the Romanesque basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. Stay at our campsite near Clermont-Ferrand to make the most of it.
11. The MARQ and the Muséum Henri-Lecoq (25 min)
Housed in a former convent, the MARQ (Roger-Quilliot art museum) takes you on a journey from the Middle Ages to the present day. Children will probably prefer the Muséum Henri-Lecoq and its natural science collections devoted to Auvergne.
12. The Gergovie Museum (35 min)
Relive the famous battle between Vercingetorix and Caesar. On the Gergovie plateau, this modern, multimedia archaeological museum fascinates the whole family. Allow about 1 hour 15 minutes for your visit.
13. Paléopolis, the dinosaur hill (35 min)
Off to prehistoric times! In Gannat, Paléopolis combines exhibitions, a 3D film, virtual reality and workshops for 5 to 15-year-olds. Part of the park is outdoors, but the indoor areas are more than enough to fill a good half-day.
With the kids: outings that save the afternoon
14. The Arcadia cinema in Riom (5 min)
Nothing beats a good film when it rains. Just 5 minutes from the campsite, Riom’s Arcadia cinema, award-winning for its innovative architecture, shows films for all ages.
15. The Clermont-Ferrand ice rink (25 min)
Ice skating in the middle of August? It’s the kind of memory children never forget! The Clermont-Ferrand ice rink offers public sessions and skate hire. Remember to check the opening times before you go.
Our plan for a successful rainy day
- Morning: Vulcania or L’Aventure Michelin, depending on your children’s ages;
- Lunch: a tasty break in Clermont-Ferrand or in Riom’s old town;
- Afternoon: Riom’s museums and Sainte-Chapelle, the Béatrice Hess pool, or some relaxation at the Aïga thermal spa, 5 minutes from the campsite;
- Evening: a film at the Arcadia cinema, then back to the peace and quiet of the campsite.
And as soon as the sun comes back, the volcanoes are waiting for you! Discover our 10 activities in the Auvergne volcanoes and all our ideas to explore Puy-de-Dôme with the family.
A rainy day at Camping de la Croze means:
- more than 15 indoor activities less than 35 minutes away;
- a 10% discount at the Aïga thermal spa;
- returning to the calm of your mobile home, in the heart of a three-hectare wooded site.
Don’t wait any longer: book your stay in Châtel-Guyon today!
Is Vulcania indoors?
Yes, for the most part. Most of the attractions (films, planetarium, exhibitions) are indoors, making it the ideal outing when it rains. The park is 30 minutes from the campsite.
What can you do with children in Puy-de-Dôme when it rains?
Vulcania, L’Aventure Michelin, the Grotte de la Pierre de Volvic, Paléopolis and the Arcadia cinema in Riom are perfect for families. To let off steam, head to the Béatrice Hess aquatic centre in Riom, with its 68-metre slide, or the Clermont-Ferrand ice rink.
What free activities are there when it rains?
Clermont-Ferrand cathedral and the basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port are free to visit. Riom’s old town is also easy to explore between showers.
Is the Panoramique des Dômes worth it in the rain?
Better to wait for a sunny spell. In rainy weather, the summit of the Puy de Dôme is often in the clouds and the view is blocked. Save this outing for a clear day!
Where can you swim when it rains near Châtel-Guyon?
Two options 5 minutes from the campsite: the Aïga thermal spa in Châtel-Guyon, with a 10% discount on presentation of the voucher available at reception, and the covered Béatrice Hess aquatic centre in Riom.
