L'Aventure Michelin
Corporate museum of the Michelin group in Clermont-Ferrand: tyres, maps, guides and Bibendum, across a 2,000 m² interactive route.
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About the museum
L’Aventure Michelin is the museum of the Michelin group, located in Clermont-Ferrand, the city where the company was founded in 1889. It opened in 2009 and tells the story of the Michelin brothers, pioneers of cycling, the automobile and aviation, as an adventure novel.
The route covers the company’s major inventions: the detachable bicycle tyre in 1891, the first car tyre in 1895, then the twin tyre, the radial tyre and the Energy tyre. At the start of the 20th century, Michelin also built aircraft and rail cars, the famous “Michelines”, and was behind the 2 CV. The company also created maps and guides to make travel accessible to everyone.
Bibendum, created in 1898 by the caricaturist O’Galop, has a central place: voted the best logo in the world in 2000, he accompanies visitors. Staged collector’s pieces, immersive settings and interactive animations, including driving simulators, bring the 2,000 m² route to life.
Highlights
- The story of the Michelin brothers and the tyre, from 1889 to today
- Bibendum, a logo created in 1898
- Michelin maps, guides and road signs
- “Micheline” rail cars and the 2 CV
- Driving simulators and interactive animations
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours scénographique de l'Aventure Michelin – A 2,000 m² route through the history of Michelin: tyres, maps and guides, Bibendum, rail cars and innovations.
- Founded
- 2009
- Operated by
- Groupe Michelin
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €13 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €9Young people aged 7 to 17, people with disabilities (Carte Mobilité Inclusion), Michelin employees and retirees, with proof |
| Children & teens | €9free up to age 6 · Free admission for children under 7, with proof. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €9Reduced rate for people with disabilities, in particular holders of a Carte Mobilité Inclusion (CMI) Invalidité or Priorité card. |
| Groups (9+ people) | –Group rates for groups of 9 or more are listed on the museum’s website. |
| Families | €36Family pack for 4 people, including at least one young person aged 7 to 17. |
| Adult admission with a partner works council card | €9 |
| Annual pass | €20 |
| Audio guide | €2Commentary in French, English, German and Spanish. |
| Smartguide (multimedia device) | €3About 1 hour of commentary, in six languages. |
Buy tickets online to save time. Payment by bank card, Chèques-Vacances, cash and cheque.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description
The museum holds the Tourisme & Handicap label and is fully wheelchair-accessible, with lifts, benches and folding seats along the route. Four wheelchairs are lent at reception (including one for children and two large ones). Ramp outside, to the right of the building. The audio guide is adapted for blind and partially sighted visitors, with tactile models, sound stations and scent elements; there are audio guides with induction loops and visioguides in French Sign Language (LSF), as well as a booklet in easy-to-read language (FALC). Adapted tours on request.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
| Family ticket | €36 · Family pack for 4 people, including at least one young person aged 7 to 17. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
The exhibition is designed for the whole family: a detective card for ages 3 to 7, an exploration notebook for ages 8 to 12, a quiz booklet and driving simulators at the end of the visit. Folding seats, a ramp for strollers and toilets with a baby changing table.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stade Marcel Michelin
Tram line A, stop Stade Marcel Michelin; bus S14 from Les Pistes or E1 from the SNCF station. From the station: bus line B, platform 3, to the Stade Marcel Michelin stop.
By car
Paid parking
Two paid car parks nearby (ticket at entry, payment at exit). Coaches and heavy goods vehicles: parking in rue de la Grolière; overnight parking is prohibited. Motorhome area in rue Gustave Courbet.
Carpooling possible via the MOV’ICI platform.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
Relaxation area with vending machines for snacks and hot drinks, and water fountains; no restaurant on site, and picnics are not allowed indoors. The museum shop is open to all without a ticket from 10:30 during opening hours.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FR, EN, DE, ES, IT, NL) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The visit takes between 1 h 30 min and 2 h. A free app is available to download in six languages. Guided tours take place every Sunday outside school holidays, with online booking required. The exhibition is bilingual French–English. Pets are not allowed, except guide dogs. |
