Science Festival at the Summit of Puy de Dôme
Scientific workshops and discoveries at the summit of Puy de Dôme
2026
About Science Festival at Puy de Dôme
Every October, the summit of the puy de Dôme hosts a day of science outreach as part of the Fête de la Science. The event is organized by the Puy-de-Dôme Departmental Council in partnership with the Université Clermont Auvergne, the Clermont-Ferrand Observatory of Earth Physics (OPGC), Vulcania, and local amateur astronomy groups. All activities are free of charge, including hands-on workshops, volcanic hikes, open house tours of the observatory labs, and short lectures—all at an altitude of 1,465 meters.
Science Festival at Puy de Dôme — edition 2026
The Fête de la Science returns to the summit of the puy de Dôme on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, from 10 am to 6 pm, for the national edition themed "Scientific Flavors." Twelve activities are scheduled at an altitude of 1,465 meters: open houses at the Clermont-Ferrand Observatory of Earth Physics, volcanic walks, solar observation, a sustainable food escape game, Vulcania workshops, and three short talks. Everything is free, though six of the twelve activities require a reservation.
2026 Edition
The Puy-de-Dôme Departmental Council is setting up its science village at the summit on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, from 10 am to 6 pm. The theme of this year's event is captured in the official dossier: "The puy de Dôme, a scientific object in its own right!" Researchers and mediators from the Université Clermont Auvergne, the Clermont-Ferrand Observatory of Earth Physics, Vulcania, and the Association des Astronomes Amateurs d’Auvergne will be running the workshops. The L’Éco-naissance and A.R.T.S. associations will cover the food aspect, echoing the national theme of "Scientific Flavors."
Six activities require a reservation, while six others are open to walk-ins throughout the day. Registration is handled via the Grand Site du puy de Dôme website at volcan.puy-de-dome.fr, by email at [email protected], or by calling 04 73 62 21 46.
The day before, on Friday, October 2nd, from 4 pm to 8 pm, the CNRS is opening the observatory chalet to just four people for its "Unusual Visits": a discovery of the instruments, a raclette evening with scientists, and an overnight stay. Access is determined by a contest on visitesinsolites.cnrs.fr, opening on August 25th, 2026. This is a separate operation from the science village.
Highlights Science Festival at Puy de Dôme 2026
- Open house at the OPGC atmospheric measurement labs, one-hour tours at 10 am, 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm
- Volcanic walks at the summit with researchers from the Université Clermont Auvergne, at 11 am, 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm
- Solar observation using instruments from the Auvergne amateur astronomers, 10 am-12 pm and 2 pm-5 pm
- Blaise Pascal’s atmospheric pressure experiment, presented at the very site where it was conducted
- Three 30-minute short talks: raw milk cheese and aging, volcanoes of the solar system, and safe solar observation
Programme Science Festival at Puy de Dôme 2026
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 · Science Village at the summit of the puy de Dôme, 10 am - 6 pm
By reservation
- 10 am, 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm — Open house at the Clermont-Ferrand Observatory of Earth Physics (OPGC) · one-hour tour of the atmospheric measurement labs, led by the OPGC-LaMP team from the Université Clermont Auvergne · ages 15+ · 15 spots per session
- 3 pm and 3:30 pm — OPGC tour for young visitors · 30 minutes, explaining atmospheric composition for 8-13 year olds · 15 spots per session
- 10 am, 11 am, 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm — Why install a seismograph at the summit of the puy de Dôme? · 30 minutes with Nicolas Cluzel, researcher at the Magmas and Volcanoes Laboratory (UCA / CNRS), on current studies and initial findings · 10 spots per session
- 11 am, 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm — Volcanic walks at the summit · one hour with researchers from the Université Clermont Auvergne specializing in regional geology and volcanism, in partnership with the OPGC · 20 spots per session
- 10 am, 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm — Sustainable food escape game · 30-minute team challenge, finding clues and decoding puzzles about the environmental impact of our food, hosted by the L’Éco-naissance association · 10 spots per session
- 10 am, 11 am, 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm — Workshop on healthy and sustainable eating — 30 minutes with the A.R.T.S. association focusing on the 4 V rule: vegetal, true, varied, and living · 10 spots per session
Open access
- 10 am-12 pm and 2 pm-5 pm — When Blaise Pascal advanced science at the summit of the puy de Dôme · his experiment on atmospheric pressure, presented by the Astronomie Auvergne collective
- 10 am-12 pm and 2 pm-5 pm — Solar observation workshop · viewing the solar disk, sunspots, prominences, and filaments using astronomical telescopes, solarscopes, and digital telescopes, with exhibition panels, by the Association des astronomes amateurs d’Auvergne
- 10 am-12 pm and 2 pm-5 pm — Vulcania workshop · experiments on how volcanoes work with a scientific mediator from Vulcania
Short talks at the summit · free entry, 30 seats
- 11:30 am and 2:30 pm — Healthy aging through raw milk cheese, by Anna Diet, PhD in health biology and young researcher award winner · 30 minutes
- 3:30 pm — Volcanoes of Auvergne and the solar system, by Gérard Coute, from the Association des Astronomes Amateurs d’Auvergne · 30 minutes
- 4:30 pm — Observing the sun safely, by François Brugière, from the Association des astronomes amateurs d’Auvergne · 30 minutes
Also announced
- Workshops against disinformation led by Orange staff at the science village · ages 15-18 · by reservation · times not published
Access to the summit
- Panoramique des Dômes — on October 3rd, a train every 40 minutes from 9 am to 7 pm. First ascent at 9 am, last ascent at 7 pm, last descent at 7:20 pm. 15-minute trip from the departure station, chemin du Couleyras in Orcines.
- On foot — Sentier des Muletiers, 6 km with a 350-meter elevation gain from the Maison de site parking lot (1.5 to 2 hours), or 1.9 km from the Col de Ceyssat parking lot (45 minutes to 1 hour). Chemin des Chèvres, 6 km from the Maison de site (1.5 to 2 hours), following the ascending section of the GR 4-441.
Reservations at volcan.puy-de-dome.fr, by email at [email protected], or by calling 04 73 62 21 46.
Prices Science Festival at Puy de Dôme 2026
Access to the summit is at the visitor's expense. Panoramique des Dômes, rates in effect from October 1st to December 31st: adults €17.20 round trip and €14.40 one way; reduced rate €15.40 round trip (seniors over 62, students, job seekers, with proof); youth €10.10 round trip and €8.60 one way; free for children under 4. Family package for 2 adults and 2 youths: €49.90 round trip. Dogs: €5.50.
Hiking up via the Sentier des Muletiers or the Chemin des Chèvres is free.
Practical information — Science Festival at Puy de Dôme
Practical information
Getting to the summit
By train: The Panoramique des Dômes rack railway departs from the Maison de site, located at chemin du Couleyras in Orcines. The journey takes 15 minutes. For information, call 04 73 87 43 00.
On foot: The Sentier des Muletiers trail climbs to the summit in 6 km from the Maison de site parking lot (1.5 to 2 hours) or in 1.9 km from the Col de Ceyssat parking lot (45 minutes to 1 hour), with a 350-meter elevation gain. The Chemin des Chèvres, part of the GR 4-441, reaches the summit from the north in 6 km from the Maison de site (1.5 to 2 hours).
By car: Orcines is 12 km from Clermont-Ferrand via the D941b. Parking is available at the Maison de site, the departure station for the Panoramique des Dômes.
Pricing
All activities are free. Visitors are responsible for their own Panoramique des Dômes train tickets; hiking to the summit is free.
Booking
Some activities require advance booking, especially the observatory tours. Reservations can be made at volcan.puy-de-dome.fr, by email, or by phone.
Contact
Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme
[email protected]
04 73 62 21 46
Science at the summit: when the puy de Dôme becomes a laboratory
The summit of the puy de Dôme is home to the Clermont-Ferrand Observatory of Earth Physics (OPGC), a research unit of the Université Clermont Auvergne. Here, scientists measure atmospheric composition, monitor air quality, and study the volcanism and seismology of the Chaîne des Puys. The observatory chalet dates back to 1872, and its construction actually led to the discovery of the ruins of the Temple of Mercury. The CNRS considers it one of the oldest active observatories in the world. Every year, for the Fête de la Science, it opens its doors to the public.
Workshops, tours, and lectures
The day features a mix of hands-on workshops, guided tours, games, and 30-minute talks. Topics cover volcanism, seismology, the atmosphere, astronomy, and, in 2026, the science of food. Some activities require booking, while others are open to drop-ins throughout the day.
Open house at the OPGC
The highlight of the day is the opening of the OPGC atmospheric measurement laboratories. Tours last one hour, are limited to groups of fifteen, and must be booked in advance. There are dedicated, shorter sessions for children aged 8-13, featuring explanations tailored to their age.
Part of the national Fête de la Science
Established in 1991 by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the Fête de la Science spans ten days of free events across France every October. In 2026, it runs from October 2nd to 12th under the theme "Saveurs savantes" (Scientific Flavors). Departmental coordination is managed by the Université Clermont Auvergne via its Puy de Sciences portal.
Where does it take place — Science Festival at Puy de Dôme
Science Festival at Puy de Dôme in brief
History of Science Festival at Puy de Dôme
Edition 2025 Oct 2025Other festivals near Orcines
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