The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption is Clermont-Ferrand's most striking building and one of the most unusual Gothic cathedrals in France. Built almost entirely from dark Volvic lava stone quarried from the volcanic plateau to the north, its black stone has a saturated depth that feels almost aggressive compared to the pale limestone of most French Gothic churches. The effect is particularly strong in bright sunlight, when the contrast between the black exterior and the blue sky becomes very sharp.
The interior is correspondingly dramatic: the stained glass windows, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, provide the main colour amid the dark stone. The rose window above the main portal is one of the finest in the Auvergne. The cathedral stands on the highest point of the old town, its spires visible from the surrounding plateau. Access to the towers is possible during visiting hours; the view across the city toward the Puy de Dôme is excellent.