Clermont-Ferrand, the old capital of Auvergne and its largest town by a considerable margin, is also the chief town of the département of Puy-de-Dôme, a university town and the see of a bishop. It lies on rising ground in the fertile Limagne basin, bounded on the west by the Monts Dômes. It is a considerable industrial town (Michelin, etc.)
The name of the town, originally Nemessos, was changed in Roman times to Augustonemetum, and later still became Castrum Claremunte or Clair-Mont. It was Christianized in the third century, and after suffering devastation at the hands of various invaders was the meeting-place of the council in 1095 at which Pôe Urban II proclaimed the First Crusade.
The philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) was born in Clermont. In 1731 it was amalgamated with its neighbor and rival Montferrand to form the present town with its double-barrelled name.
This incredible Gothic cathedral is made of dark volcanic stone and stands out, reaching high above the surrounding buildings. The two great towers can be seen from throughout the town.
This unique looking church, built in Auvergnat Romanesque style, contains carved capitals depicting figure of animals and people, and houses a 17th C copy of a 13th C Black Virgin.
Château de Grangefort serves as a modern day camping site with open-air swimming pool, this chateau has been restored by Vianne to include feudal trappings. The estate is located on 25 hectares with stunning views of the countryside. A wide variety of periods have been included in this site's furnishings, complete with candle-lighting for every room.
Address: Château de Grangefort, F-63500 Les Pradeaux, France
2km/1.5mi northeast of the Clermont-Ferrand city center is the suburban district of Montferrand, with the church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Prospérité and many Gothic and Renaissance houses, often with attractive courtyards. Particularly notable are 11, 18 and 28 rue Jules-Guesde, 1 rue des Cordeliers, 11 and 36 rue de la Rodade and 12 rue Kléber.
On the south side of Clermont-Ferrand is the Musée du Bargoin (prehistoric and Gallo-Roman antiquities).
The museum was named after pharmacist Jean-Baptiste Bargoin. Archeological displays from the Neolihic Period and the Bronze Age are highlighted.
Address: Musée Bargoin, 45 rue Ballainvilliers, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Hours:
10am-6pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The hub of Clermont-Ferrand's life is the busy Place de Jaude, with an equestrian statue of the Arvernian leader Vercingetorix (1903) by Bartholdi (who also created the Lion of Belfort and New York's Statue of Liberty). The church of St-Pierre-des-Minimes (17th C) has fine 18th C carved woodwork in the choir. The Municipal Theater was built in 1894 in a former textile warehouse.
In Clermont-Ferrand, in the Place de la Poterne, to the north of the cathedral, is the Fontaine d'Amboise, a beautiful Renaissance fountain of 1515.
In the picturesque old town around the cathedral are many houses of the 16th-18th centuries, for example in Rue des Chaussetiers (No. 3) the Maison de Savaron (1513), with a beautiful courtyard and staircase tower. Also worth seeing are the Musée Lecoq (mineralogical, botanical and zoological collections) and the Jardin Lecoq.
A series of old volcanoes is to be found in this region. The volcanic lakes to the north of Monts Dore both have an excellent view the basalt rocks, Roche Tuilière and Roche Sanadoire.
Address: Monts Dore Tourist Office, Montlosier, F-63000 Puy de Dôme, France
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