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Archaeological site of the Gallic oppidum at Corent
Description
Proudly dominating the plateau, the Corent oppidum reveals the remains of a major Gallic city. Probably the capital of the Arvernes, today it offers a major archaeological site in the heart of a spectacular landscape.
Around 130 B.C., the Arvernes, the great Gallic people of present-day Auvergne, founded a vast sanctuary dedicated to rituals and ceremonial banquets at the heart of the Corent plateau. Around this sacred space, specialized districts developed, forming a veritable Gallic city: the Corent oppidum.
The site is part of a long history, succeeding ancient Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements and extending into the Gallo-Roman era.
Since 2010, the Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme, owner of the site, has undertaken a major enhancement project. Today, a landscaped trail allows visitors to visualize the layering of constructions over the centuries, and to imagine the buildings that once dominated the plateau.
To make the site easier to understand, colorful signage accompanies the visit:
- Green: Bronze Age
- Red: Gallic oppidum
- Grey: Gallo-Roman town
Explanatory panels and 3D videos (viewable on this page) help to immerse you in the world of the Gallic city and better understand its evolution.
A brochure presenting the archaeological site is also available for download.
Throughout the year, the site hosts a program of events in partnership with the Musée archéologique de la Bataille de Gergovie. Among them, the spectacular new immersive experience "Revivre Corent au temps des Gaulois" combines guided tour and virtual reality: equipped with a headset, you explore the Gallic town as it might have looked over 2,000 years ago.
A unique experience, financially supported by the Département du Puy-de-Dôme.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Additional information
Open period
All year round daily.
Updated by
Clermont Auvergne Volcans - 17/06/2026
www.clermontauvergnevolcans.com
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Price(s)
Free access.
Contact
Phone : 04 73 60 16 93
Email : contact@musee-gergovie.fr
Website : https://musee-gergovie.fr/
History, culture and heritage
Corent is one of the most important sites for understanding the organization of Gallic towns. Excavations have revealed an exceptional political and religious center, whose remains bear witness to the power and structuring role of the Arvernes in central Gaul. Today, this unique heritage can be seen directly in the relief of the plateau.
Tips for the photographer
The heights of the plateau offer magnificent panoramic views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Allier valley. The viewpoint is ideal at sunset, while the area around the sanctuary allows you to capture the lines of the landscaping and the structure of the oppidum. To the east, the view of the Sancy is particularly photogenic in the morning.
Sustainable tourism
The Corent oppidum can be visited freely, thanks to landscaping that respects the site and its natural environment. The tour invites visitors to discover archaeology without damaging the remains, while preserving the plateau's biodiversity. The walking tour, interpretive aids and digital application encourage visitors to discover this exceptional heritage independently, gently and responsibly.
Tips
The Puy-de-Dôme Terre d'archéologie application offers immersive discovery of the major Arverne sites. Thanks to audio-guided tours, enriched with restitution images, videos, 360° views and 3D content from archaeological digs, it offers a real immersion in Gallic and Gallo-Roman history.
It complements the information provided by the panels on the sites, allowing visitors to explore Gergovie, Corent and the Temple of Mercury at the summit of Puy-de-Dôme on their own.
Available free of charge from the Apple Store and Play Store, the app is available in five languages (French, English, German, Spanish and Dutch) and includes audio description for the visually impaired...
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