Discovering the Grotte de la Pierre in Volvic

Travel to the heart of an old extraction gallery of the Volvic stone

The birth of an unusual place

The Grotte de la Pierre was founded following a lava flow from the Nugère volcano, more than 10,000 years ago. The region has therefore been richly endowed since that time.

After its discovery, the site was exploited to extract this exceptional stone. It was used to build Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral and the statue of Notre Dame de la Garde.

A visit in total immersion

During your tour, Jules Cotte's voice takes you into the darkness of the gallery. How did the exhibition come about? What difference did the discovery of stone make to the inhabitants of the region? You will learn all the secrets of Volvic stone since the 13th century. You can also listen to the story of a 20th century miner, Mr Legay-Chevalier.

Explore several thematic areas during your visit:

• The organisation of the quarry ;
• The use of stone in the department's monuments and in everyday life;
• The discovery of water;
• The use of stone by artists...

Practical information

The visit lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes and can be done independently using the Scenovision system.

The cave is open from the February holidays until the All Saints' Day holidays. Please note that the site is closed in winter. The weather conditions do not allow visitors to visit the cave. We also advise you to bring a jumper or warm clothing with you on your visit. It is rarely more than 10 degrees inside the Volvic Stone cave.

Must-haves:

📍 Address: 2 route du Pont Jany, 63530 Volvic.
💸 Price: €9 per adult; €7 for children aged 4 to 12; free for the youngest.

Two free car parks are available for visitors to the site.