# Up the Puy de Dôme on the Panoramique des Dômes train

Rack railway · 15 min climb · All year · €17.20–€18.60 round trip

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/auvergne-rhone-alpes/chaine-des-puys/things-to-do/panoramique-des-domes-train · Revisado: 2026-11-12

Dónde: Chaîne des Puys

It is the easiest way to see the Chaîne des Puys from above. The train climbs the slope of the Puy de Dôme in a quarter of an hour and at the summit you have half a morning of short walks, viewpoints and Roman ruins.

## What it is and why it is worth it

The Puy de Dôme is the highest volcano in the chain, at 1,465 m, and the most visited in Auvergne. The summit road is not open to private cars, so to get up without walking you have this rack railway, which has run since 2012. It leaves from Orcines, at the base, and climbs the slope in 15 minutes.

At the top there is a path round the summit, the ruins of the Temple of Mercury, from the 2nd century, a visitor area and the operator's catering: Le Resto d'Epicure, a cafeteria and, in summer, takeaway stalls. With a clear sky you see the line of volcanoes to the north and south, the Clermont-Ferrand plain and, in the distance, the Sancy.

## Hours and prices

The timetable changes with the season. Out of season there are usually trains every hour or half hour, from 10:00 to 17:00; in summer, every 20 minutes from 9:00 to 20:00. It closes on 25 December, on the 24th the last descent is at 15:30 and there are maintenance days announced on its website.

The round trip for an adult costs €17.20 from October to March and €18.60 from 1 April to 30 September. Children under 4 do not pay, there is a youth fare and a family fare of €49.90 round trip for two adults and two young people. Dogs go up with a €5.50 ticket.

## Getting to the station

The station is on chemin du Couleyras, in Orcines, about 20 minutes by car from Clermont-Ferrand. Parking is free, with about 1,000 spaces and around fifteen for motorhomes, no overnight stays. Without a car, take the S11 bus from Clermont-Ferrand to Parc SNCF and the P36 line from Chamalières, with timetables that change with the season.

## If the day is against you

With fog at the top you see nothing and the ticket costs the same. Check the webcam on its website before you set out. If the summit is covered, change the plan to the Volcan de Lemptégy and go up another day.

## Paso a paso

### 15 min · Climb
From the Orcines station to the summit, up the south slope.

### 1 h 30 · Summit
Walk round the summit on the path, the Temple of Mercury, the visitor area and viewpoints.

### 15 min · Descent
By train, or on foot if you bought only the single.

## Qué llevar

- A warm layer, even in summer

- Sunglasses and a cap

- Comfortable footwear for the summit path

## Consejos

### Go up on the first train
Before ten the summit is quiet and the air is clearer.

### Go up by train and walk down
Buy only the single and descend by the signed paths.

### Check the webcam before you set out
If there are clouds on the summit, leave the climb for another day.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Can I drive up the Puy de Dôme?
No. The summit road is not open to private cars.

### How much does the train cost?
€17.20 round trip per adult, and €18.60 from 1 April to 30 September.

### Is it open in winter?
Yes, all year except 25 December and maintenance days.

### Can dogs go up?
Yes, with their own €5.50 ticket.

### Is there somewhere to eat at the top?
Yes: Le Resto d'Epicure, a cafeteria and, in summer, takeaway stalls.