Discover a site unique in Auvergne, midway between a petrifying cave and a special know-how!

In the heart of the Sancy Massif, amid the Auvergne volcanoes, follow the hot springs which lead you to explore some strange curiosity. Families and groups are made welcome to the petrifying cave and its volcanic waters for an underground immersion. Eric Papon, Master Craftsman in Petrification, opens the doors of the making workshops to you. The secrets of his rare and ancestral know-how will be unveiled to you during that pleasant and educational visit. Situated 45 minutes away from Clermont-Ferrand, the site invites you to come and discover a unique French know-how: the Petrification Craftsmanship. Here is an unforgettable business visit for young and old alike! Going around the visiting circuit                Preparing your visit

« A craftsmanship transmission for 7 generations »

The firm Fontaines Pétrifiantes de Saint-Nectaire is a family-run atelier established in 1821. The petrification craftsmanship, a unique-of-its-kind know-how has been transmitted from father to son. Located within the natural reserve of the Auvergne volcanoes, bellow the Sancy Massif, the town of Saint-Nectaire has rich underground thermomineral springs. The craftsman at the Fontaines Pétrifiantes de Saint-Nectaire have used those volcanic springs to make calcium decoration artworks for 2 centuries.

Entering into the family history                Discovering the know-how