The old town of Riom (pop. 19,324), on the western edge of the fertile Limagne basin, was for many years capital of Auvergne, and is still one of its major towns.
In the northwest of Riom old town, now ringed by boulevards, is the Palais de Justice (Law Courts), on the site of the old castle of the Dukes of Berry. The Sainte Chapelle (1382-1388)
, all that survives of the castle, has three fine 15th century windows in the choir. Northeast of the Palais de Justice is the Musée Régional d'Auvergne (folk art, everyday objects, furniture). The town's main street is the Rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, in which are a number of handsome old houses and the Musée Mandet (1640), with a collection of pictures. The 16th century Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) has a beautiful courtyard and contains memorabilia on the history of the town, and the Maison des Consuls (1530) has a richly sculptured facade. Near the Carrefour de Taules, the main street intersection, are a clock-tower (15th and 16th century) and the 16th century Hôtel Guimoneau, which has an attractive courtyard.
The church of St-Amable has some Auvergnat Romanesque features (nave and transepts; 12th century) and Gothic elements in the choir (13th century). The facade was added in the 18th century The church of Notre-Dame du Marthuret (14th-15th century), to the south of the old town, has fine 15th and 16th century windows. In a chapel on the south side of the church is the "Virgin with the Bird", a fine piece of 14th century sculpture.
1km/0.75mi west of Riom is Mozac, with a fine 12th century church in Auvergnat Romanesque style which belonged to a Benedictine abbey, and a beautiful Black Virgin (12th century).