Explore L'Aventure Michelin
The visit of l'Aventure Michelin is a fascinating and fun experience that opens the doors to an extraordinary world. The story of the Michelin brothers unfolds like an adventure novel. They were passionate about the challenges of their time, pioneers in cycling, automobiles and aviation, and invented the culture of travel with their maps, guidebooks and signposts.
Since those early days, Michelin has never stopped innovating for a better life, always on the move.
A visit not to be missed
Located in Clermont-Ferrand, in the same city where the brand was born in 1889, l'Aventure Michelin is more than just a museum.
Thanks to the way, the exhibits are presented, the immersive settings and the interactive animations, this visit is a real experience, which you can enjoy in the company of the Michelin Man. Come and be amazed!
L'Aventure in pictures
Michelin, a legendary brand
The Michelin Man, icon of the Michelin brand
Created in 1898, the Michelin Man was elected best logo in the world in 2000 and is now known the world over. On seeing a pile of tyres, Edouard Michelin said to his brother André, “Look! If it had arms and legs, it would look like a man!”. That was all the caricaturist O’Galop needed to bring the idea to life. Where does the name “Bibendum”, used in France, come from? The Latin phrase "Nunc est bibendum" means “now is the time to drink” and at the time, Michelin’s slogan was “the tyre absorbs (i.e. drinks up) obstacles”, since tyres made driving on bad roads more comfortable! From the Belle Epoque posters to contemporary designs and from the Tour de France caravan to beach games, all generations have shared a moment with him.
The Michelin Man is now one of the most collected symbols in the world and you can learn more about its fabulous story at L'Aventure Michelin.
Plan your
visit
Discover the essential information for your visit to the Michelin Museum in Clermont-Ferrand. Schedules, access: plan your visit with ease.
A passion for innovation
For travel, transport, exploring, and encounters, Michelin has always believed that life on the move is a vital part of human development. The invention of the detachable bicycle tire in 1891, followed by the first automobile tire in 1895, firmly anchored innovation in Michelin's DNA. The twin tire, the Radial tire and the Energy tire continued this saga, to which even more astonishing innovations have been added. At the beginning of the 20th century, Michelin began building airplanes, lightweight railcars (the famous “Michelines”).
Always committed to the mainstream, Michelin was behind the 2 CV, the most popular of French cars, produced from 1949 to 1990. And because travel is also a source of enjoyment, Michelin created maps and guidebooks to make tourism more accessible. For over a century, Michelin's innovations have been answering travellers' questions. Come to l'Aventure Michelin to see some of the most iconic innovations of the past, as well as those that are set to shape the world of tomorrow.