Puy-de-Dôme

department, France

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July 13, 2026

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Puy-de-Dôme is a department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France. It is part of the historical region of Auvergne, known for its mountainous terrain within the Massif Central. The department's highest point is the Puy de Sancy, a dormant volcano reaching 1,885 meters (6,184 feet).1

The department's capital is Clermont-Ferrand, a city built largely from dark volcanic rock, featuring Romanesque architecture like the 12th-century Notre-Dame-du-Port church. Clermont-Ferrand is a significant industrial and commercial center, historically known for its rubber industry, with Michelin maintaining its headquarters there. The area also has a strong service sector and is a hub for higher education and research. The region was historically important, with Clermont being the site where Pope Urban II preached the First Crusade in 1095.2

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Auvergne
…the central départements of Allier, Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal, and Haute-Loire. In 2016 the Auvergne région was joined with the région of Rhône-Alpes to form the new administrative entity of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
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…the central départements of Allier, Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal, and Haute-Loire. In 2016 the Auvergne région was joined with the région of Rhône-Alpes to form the new administrative entity of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
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