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Geography
Clermont-Ferrand is famous for the chain of extinct volcanoes that ring the city, including the highest, [wiki=edf4db1fe4dcfd1c433165ed8ad5aaf7]Puy-de-Dôme[/wiki], some 13 km away from the city centre.
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History
One of the oldest cities of France, its first mention was by the Greek geographer Strabo, who called it Nemessos, a Gaulish word for a sacred forest. The settlement witnessed the famous Battle of Gergovia, in which the Gauls led by Vercingetorix triumphed temporarily over the Romans led ultimately by Julius Caesar. After the Roman conquest, the city was renamed Augustonemetum, a name which combined its original Gallic name with that of the Emperor Augustus. Its population was estimated at 15,000-30,000 inhabitants in the 2nd century CE, making it one of the largest cities of Roman Gaul.
In 848, the city was renamed Clairmont, after the castle Clarus Mons. Clairmont was an episcopal city ruled by its bishop, and famously the starting point of the First Crusade raised to free [wiki=0a5ed43ab1e290a2356aaa745e7d7196]Jerusalem[/wiki] from Muslim domination. Pope Urban II preached Crusade in 1095 at the Council of Clermont. In 1120, to counteract the power of the clergy, the counts of Auvergne founded the city of Montferrand on the model of the new cities of the Midi. In 1551, Clermont became a royal city, and in 1610, the inseparable property of the Crown.
On 15 April 1630, the Edict of Troyes (the First Edict of Union) forcibly joined the two cities of Clermont and Ferrand. This union was confirmed in 1731 by Louis XV with the Second Edict of Union. At this time Montferrand was no more than a satellite city of Clermont, in which condition it remained until the beginning of the 20th century. Wishing to retain its independence, Montferrand made three demands for independence, in 1789, 1848, and 1863.
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Contemporary City
In the 20th century, the construction of the Michelin factories and city gardens definitively reunited Clermont and Montferrand. Today, although the two cities are amalgamated, one may find in Clermont-Ferrand two distinct downtowns, and Montferrand retains a strong identity.
Clermont-Ferrand remains home to the famous French tire manufacturing company Michelin.
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One way to travel around France is by train, and Clermont-Ferrand's train station is located just on the eastern edge of centre ville on l'Avenue de l'Union Sovietique. Trains leave every couple of hours to and from Paris through out the day 5:00 - 20:00. The ride takes three and a half hours, and makes four stops along the way.
Clermont-Ferrand also has a bus station. The Gare Routiere is located at in the parking lot across from the Casino supermarket where Boulevard Francois Mitterrand splits into Boulevard Pasteur and Boulevard Charles de Gaulle, two main blocks south of Place de Jaude. Since France doesn't have a national bus line, all routes arriving and departing from the bus terminal are international. The company Eurolines departs and arrives from here. The ticket office is located on the East side of Blvd Ch de Gaulle, about the height of rue de Gravenoire, in a lo-rise structure. [wiki=89bdb9481c0c42f47556cb5ebeffcb4e]European route E70[/wiki] runs through Clermont, so you are well-advised to look for bus tickets to Irun and Turin here. Bus travel can be significantly less expensive than [wiki=28d30b118c14becbd175901a1d303d90]SNCF[/wiki] if you need to pay full fare.
Clermont-Ferrand is also at the intersection of the A-71 and A-75 highways. Remember, gas is at least twice as expensive in France as it is in the United States, and lots of highways are toll roads. With the exception of the Millau viaduct, the A75 is free and allows you to come from the South ([wiki=375c7d274d5b84410e7b2bf0a00a9465]Montpellier[/wiki], [wiki=66d73a5c118ed4653630c2fe3464cf2d]Toulouse[/wiki], [wiki=22caf744a18a181c3d16e41648b9cb0b]Perpignan[/wiki], ...).
The Aeroport Clermont-Ferrand Aulnat is located fifteen minutes east of town. Air France flies here, and shuttles take you to centre ville.
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A one-way ticket costs 1.40 Euros and is good for an hour. You can also buy 10 tickets for 11.40 Euros. Tickets are good on the Tram or any of the bus lines, and do not expire.
Clermont has recently opened a intra-urban tramway providing access to a number of key points in the city. Also you can get around by car or scooter or motorcycle or moped.
This tram, known as the A starts North in Champratel and travels South through centre ville, Les Cezeaux campus before ending at La Pardieu Gare.
Clermont-Ferrand also has an extensive bus network connecting the downtown to the outlying suburbs. The stations and stops are frequent and the map is not confusing. The buses are limited on Saturdays and Sundays.
Finally like most European cities, Clermont-Ferrand is very walkable. Any destination or need is within a 30 minute walk. Use your legs to explore the hills and alleys and the neighborhood shops they contain.
You can find some public Wifi spots around: in the Jardin Lecoq, or on the Place de Jaude for example. Here is [url=http://www.journaldunet.com/wifi/recherche/1/index.shtml?f_id_localisation=1537]a directory[/url].
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The large bronze statue of Vercingetorix in the Place de Jaude, the city's most famous public square. Vercingetorix was a French soldier during the Gallic Wars, 2000 years ago. He led a stunning victory at Gergovie (at just 6KM South of town, the ruins and archeological digs atop the battle field plateau are also worth a visit) which was Caesar's lone defeat during this campaign. He is also immortalized in bronze tiles strewn about the streets along with Clermont-Ferrand's other two famous sons; Pope Urban II who launched the first crusade, and famed mathematician Blaise Pascal. The Place de Jaude is the city center, housing many cafes, stores, restaurants, and a shopping mall. People gather here to watch important sporting matches which are shown on giant big screens, as well as to celebrate festivals.
*Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption. Construction on the black gothic cathedral started in 1248 and was not finished until 1902. Like most of the old buildings and churches in this region, it was built out of black volcanic rock, giving it a somber and ominous mood from the outside. It is open to the public and regular masses are performed there. Just south of the cathedral halfway across Place de la Victoire is a statue honoring Pope Urban II. The Place de la Victoire is where the annual Christmas Market is held.
*The Puy-de-Dôme, the dormant volcano overlooking the city. This is accessible by a bus which runs in the summer. At the top, visitors can parasail, go hiking, or visit the cafe. There is also a new leisure attraction called Vulcania which has activities for children, a '4-D' film about the awakening of the volcanoes and other attractions.
*La Fontaine d'Amboise, which was built in 1515.
*Notre-Dame-du-Port. This is a Romanesque basilica constructed in the 11th and 12th century out of yellow sandstone. It's known for its detailed capitals, which are at the top of the pillars inside.
*Parc Montjuzet. This park over the town offers a great view for visitors who can't make it to the top of the Puy-de-Dome. Located on the North end of town, it's a five minute hike up offering fantastic views of the valley and the surrounding bluffs and plateaus which encircle Clermont-Ferrand.
*Le Musee Roger-Quilliot is an excellent art museum housing works of art from all periods of time but especially paintings and artifacts pertaining to the local region of Auvergne. Like all museums in France, it is free the first Sunday of every month. Recently the museum had an exposition on Le Bibendum, the mascot of Michelin Tires.
*Michelin Tire Corporation is headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand. The main factory as well as the testing race track are also located in town.
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Take a walk in the old streets around the cathedral in the old town area. You will find a lot of cute stores (antiques, clothes) good restaurants, and little parks to sit down and rest.
* Have a picnic or take a nap in Jardin Le Coq. The immense park in the center of town is open year round. A cafe and a merry-go-round are at its center, with paths, hills, trees, and flower gardens all around. Eat a baguette, kick a football, or catch some rays while enjoying this urban oasis.
* Hike le Puy-De-Dome
* Hike "Les Cotes" and enjoy the beautiful view of the city. Access it from Rue Valentin Vigneron at the north of the city.
* Take a ride around (hiking, biking, ...) to see the lakes, volcanos, little roads and villages surrounding the area.
* Catch an ASM Clermont Auvergne ([url=http://www.asm-rugby.com])]rugby game at Stade Marcel Michelin.
* Watch a baseball game
* Eat a [[Truffade|Truffade[/url]]
* Go to one of the various festivals : [url=http://www.clermont-filmfest.com/index.php?nlang=2]short film festival[/url], [url=http://www.jazzentete.com/]jazz en tête[/url], ...
* Have an Afterwork at the [url=http://www.lacoope.com/]Coopérative de Mai[/url]
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Le marche d'Aubiere runs Sundays from 9h00 to 13h00, all year round, with up to 150 vendors. Fresh produce abounds here, and you are likely to purchase directly from the farmer. Apples from Allier, strawberries from the Lot, and pork from the Aveyron are some of the highlights. Be sure to drop by la boulangerie Sauvestre for a fresh baguette and tell Laurie, Dominique or Gilles that Max sent you. A local maraicheur named Marie collects smiles at the East end (opposite the entrance) of the church.
*Le Richelieu, as well as being a sidewalk cafe in the central Place Jaude, has a brilliant upstairs formal restaurant. Their bavette au jus (steak) is a well-priced classic. It alone is worth a pause in Clermont.
*Le Chat Noir. This is a small tea house next to the cathedral that serves a wide variety of teas and scones. Most of the jellies and teas are locally made.
*Pizza Tino, 40, Place de Jaude. This restaurant serves reasonably priced pizzas and is always crowded at lunch.
*Le Pinocchio, 20, rue Saint-Dominique. This is an Italian restaurant which serves excellent pastas and pizzas.
*Le Friand, rue des gras ( Cathedral's street ). This bakery is the one where you will find the biggest and the best "viennoiseries" in the town !
*A typical fast food. You'll get special sandwiches with good bread, steacks and cheese from Auvergne (blue cheese, st nectaire, ...). [url=http://maps.google.fr/maps?hl=fr&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=le+toucan+clermont+ferrand&fb=1&gl=fr&hq=le+toucan&hnear=clermont+ferrand&cid=7062301566848460501&li=lmd&z=16&iwloc=A]Go to map[/url]
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Le Café Pascal. This café next to the cathedral has an international feel. It is lively at night.
*L'Appart, 6, place Sugny. This bar has an apartment theme and guests can choose to sit in the bedroom, living room, or bathroom.
*The Still Irish Pub, 7, Bd Leon Malfreyt. International students, particularly anglophones, like to congregate here.
*Les Frères Berthoms. This bar is next to the court hall, this is the best place to enjoy good beer on a sunny terrasse !
*Although previously a temple to beer, it has now changed owners and has lost its way.
*Concerts. Happy hours. Beers, cider and other specialities from [wiki=75f87fa90004d185432caa1dfb208bbf]Brittany[/wiki].
*Great salad/pasta bar. Very friendly owners. Very good bargain. Try the homemade yogurt, it's to die for!
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See the get in section.
Note that the airport links you to some of the big European cities, like [wiki=3eb8670d999ac077dd0e2c345cb7c905]Amsterdam[/wiki], [wiki=068a0b5b2858dc3f1ac7b47464bc4b0a]Brussels[/wiki] or [wiki=6314044c3803213e9fd3f3ecf8c90d65]Madrid[/wiki].
Apart from the Milllau viaduct, the A75 highway is free and links to the South.
[wiki=718766d1466c047f48d9fba8d53cb521]fr:Clermont-Ferrand[/wiki]
[wiki=bda978e746810741a4acbc32200d4774]nl:Clermont-Ferrand[/wiki]
[wiki=f417b2683b47cb44d502bd99130b84ce]pl:Clermont-Ferrand[/wiki]
[[WikiPedia:Clermont-Ferrand]]
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