Vulcania, the theme park devoted to volcanoes and Earth sciences, is open in 2026 from 25 March to 1 November at Saint-Ours-les-Roches, near Clermont-Ferrand. A dated adult ticket costs €28 to €33 depending on the period, and a child aged 6 to 16 pays €23 to €27.50. The park is closed in winter and on some Mondays and Tuesdays in autumn, so check the calendar before you go. This page covers the price periods, the minimum height for each attraction, access and seasonal weather. In the Allier département, our guide to Le PAL theme park, zoo and attractions follows the same approach to calendars and height limits.
Vulcania is one stop on a volcano-themed trip: our guide to visiting Auvergne covers the Chaîne des Puys, the Puy de Dôme and the best seasons. The climb to the summit, by train or on foot, is detailed on our page on going up the Puy de Dôme.
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Vulcania: key facts
- 2026 season: open from 25 March to 1 November; closed on Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 March, and on Mondays and Tuesdays from 1 September to 13 October inclusive; off season from 2 November 2026 — checked on 23 October 2026 on vulcania.com
- Hours: vary by day and are shown on the official calendar; tickets are valid from 10 am until closing; car parks and ticket desks are open until 2 hours before closing
- Standard price (dated ticket): adult €28 (green period), €31.50 (blue), €33 (yellow or purple); child 6–16 €23, €26.50 or €27.50; ages 3–5 €7.50 to €9.50; free under 3 — checked on 23 October 2026 on vulcania.com
- Booking: not mandatory; the « Billet malin » (smart ticket), sold online only, is €1 to €2 cheaper than the dated ticket
- Address: 2 route de Mazayes, 63230 Saint-Ours-les-Roches
Tickets and price periods
The price depends on the color of the day in the calendar: green (low season), blue (French school holidays and weekends with public holidays), yellow (special program and attractions open in the evening) and purple (« Astronomiales » evenings, activities until 8 pm). A dated ticket for a yellow or purple day includes the evening activities at no extra charge.
| Dated ticket 2026 | Green | Blue | Yellow / purple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | €28 | €31.50 | €33 |
| Adult « Billet malin » (online) | €27 | €29.50 | €31 |
| Child 6–16 | €23 | €26.50 | €27.50 |
| Child « Billet malin » (online) | €22 | €24.50 | €25.50 |
| Toddler 3–5 | €7.50 | €8.50 | €9.50 |
Reduced rates (students, job seekers, visitors with disabilities) are sold at the ticket desk only, with proof. According to Vulcania, a 2-day ticket for consecutive days, bought online, brings the daily cost down to €21.50 per adult. Buy on the official website or at the desk: the park does not mention third-party sites.
Opening hours and calendar
The park has no single schedule: closing time changes with the period and is shown, day by day, on the official calendar. Remember three rules published by Vulcania:
- Tickets are valid from 10 am.
- Car parks and ticket desks close 2 hours before the park closes.
- During the late openings of summer 2026, the car park closed at 9 pm.
Closed days in 2026: 30 and 31 March, then every Monday and Tuesday from 1 September to 13 October. The park stays closed from November to the end of March.
What weather to expect
Many of the shows are indoors, but the site is in the low mountains and the outdoor areas (free-flight birds of prey, the dragon forest) depend on the weather. Below are the normals for Clermont-Ferrand, the reference station for our Auvergne page. The park, higher up, is generally cooler.
| Month | Max | Min | Rain | Vulcania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.0 °C (46 °F) | 0.6 °C (33 °F) | 26.6 mm (1.0 in) | closed |
| February | 9.5 °C (49 °F) | 0.6 °C (33 °F) | 18.7 mm (0.7 in) | closed |
| March | 13.7 °C (57 °F) | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 26.1 mm (1.0 in) | open from the 25th |
| April | 16.6 °C (62 °F) | 5.3 °C (42 °F) | 51.1 mm (2.0 in) | open |
| May | 20.5 °C (69 °F) | 9.1 °C (48 °F) | 66.5 mm (2.6 in) | open |
| June | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 12.6 °C (55 °F) | 67.5 mm (2.7 in) | open |
| July | 26.8 °C (80 °F) | 14.5 °C (58 °F) | 63.3 mm (2.5 in) | open |
| August | 26.8 °C (80 °F) | 14.4 °C (58 °F) | 62.0 mm (2.4 in) | open |
| September | 22.5 °C (73 °F) | 10.9 °C (52 °F) | 57.5 mm (2.3 in) | open |
| October | 17.8 °C (64 °F) | 8.3 °C (47 °F) | 48.8 mm (1.9 in) | open |
| November | 12.0 °C (54 °F) | 3.9 °C (39 °F) | 46.2 mm (1.8 in) | open on the 1st |
| December | 8.6 °C (47 °F) | 1.4 °C (35 °F) | 29.1 mm (1.1 in) | closed |
Destination de Voyage calculation based on these normals: during the opening season, May, June and September combine afternoon averages above 20 °C (68 °F) with the green (cheapest) period, outside holiday weekends and school holidays. July and August are the hottest months but fall in the blue or yellow period.
Attractions: minimum heights and ages
For families, this is the key question. Here is the grid Vulcania publishes for its dynamic shows:
| Show | Minimum height | Non-moving seats | Wheelchair access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcans sacrés (Sacred Volcanoes) | 80 cm (31 in) | no | yes |
| Réveil des Géants d’Auvergne (Awakening of the Giants of Auvergne) | 90 cm (35 in) | yes | yes |
| Terre en colère (Angry Earth) | 90 cm (35 in) | yes | yes |
| Premier envol (First Flight) | 90 cm (35 in) | no | yes |
| Dragon ride | 110 cm (43 in) | yes | yes |
| Namazu | 120 cm (47 in) | no | no |
- Several scenes in Dragon ride, Réveil des Géants d’Auvergne, Volcans sacrés and Namazu may upset younger children, the park warns.
- If your child is too short, adults can take turns on the dynamic attractions (ask at reception, level C); not for Namazu.
- Réveil des Géants, Dragon ride, Terre en colère, Premier envol and Volcans sacrés are strongly discouraged for pregnant women and people with heart conditions; Namazu is off limits to them.
- A « Special kids » route lists the shows suited to ages 3 to 7.
Decision tree: which ticket and which route?
- Children under 90 cm (35 in): favor the planetarium, the Children’s City, the Pitoufeu house and the birds of prey; a green period is enough.
- Thrill-seeking teens: Namazu and Dragon ride first, from 10 am, before the lines build.
- Volcanology enthusiasts: a full day will not be enough; the 2-day ticket is the best value.
- Interested in astronomy: choose a purple date (« Astronomiales » evening).
Getting to Vulcania
- Car: A89 motorway, exit « Vulcania/Bromont », from the north (A71), the south (A75), the west or the east (A72 then A71).
- Shuttle: during French school holidays, a shuttle links Clermont-Ferrand station with Vulcania via Chamalières, Royat and Orcines.
- Train: SNCF station in Clermont-Ferrand, then the shuttle (in the holidays) or a taxi.
- Plane: Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne airport, at Aulnat.
- Motorhome: the park provides a motorhome area.
Common mistakes
- Arriving late in the day: the ticket desks close 2 hours before the park does.
- Coming on a Monday or Tuesday in September: the park is closed.
- Not measuring your child beforehand: height gauges are at the entrance to the shows.
- Forgetting that the park closes in winter: nothing opens between November and the end of March.
What to see nearby
Vulcania sits at the foot of the Chaîne des Puys. Our page on things to do in Auvergne covers the Puy de Dôme, the lakes and the spa towns.
Frequently asked questions
When is Vulcania open?
In 2026, from 25 March to 1 November, except 30 and 31 March and Mondays and Tuesdays from 1 September to 13 October. The hours for each day are on the official calendar.
How much does Vulcania cost?
From €28 to €33 for an adult and from €23 to €27.50 for a child aged 6 to 16, depending on the period, for a dated 2026 ticket. The online « Billet malin » is slightly cheaper.
Is Vulcania suitable for young children?
Yes, with a route designed for ages 3 to 7, but several dynamic shows require 90, 110 or 120 cm (35, 43 or 47 in), and some scenes can be frightening.
How long does a visit to Vulcania take?
A full day; the park also sells a 2-day ticket for consecutive days.
How do you get to Vulcania without a car?
During French school holidays, a shuttle leaves from Clermont-Ferrand station. The rest of the year, you need a taxi.
Our sources
- Vulcania (vulcania.com): 2026 calendar and hours, ticket office, park access, safety instructions, park map, consulted on 23 October 2026
- Météo-France: 1991–2020 normals, Clermont-Ferrand station (331 m), taken from our Auvergne page
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026. Prices and hours may change: check the official website before you go.