Clermont-Ferrand

Clermont-Ferrand is a city in central France, the capital of the Auvergne region. Population 140,000.

Understand

Geography

Clermont-Ferrand is famous for the chain of extinct volcanoes that ring the city, including the highest, Puy-de-Dôme, some 13 km away from the city centre.

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 Jerusalem 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 Montferrand. 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.

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.

Get in

By train

The best 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 throughout the day 05:00 - 20:00. The ride takes 3½ hours, and makes 4 stops along the way.

By bus

Clermont-Ferrand also has a bus station. The Gare Routiere is located at in the parking lot across from the Casino supermarket where Boulevard François 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.

By car

Clermont-Ferrand is also at the intersection of the A-71 and A-72 highways. With the exception of the Millau viaduct, which charges a toll, the A75 is free and allows you to come from the south (e.g. Montpellier, Toulouse)

By plane

• 🌍 Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport (CFE  ^IATA) (located fifteen minutes east of town). Air France flies here from both main Paris airports, and shuttles take you to the town centre. Other airlines fly here, including Ryanair to London Stansted and Porto, and HOP! to Amsterdam.  

Get around

By public transport

A one-way ticket costs €1.40 and is good for an hour. You can also buy 10 tickets for €11.40. Tickets are good on the tram or any of the bus lines, and do not expire.

Clermont has an intra-urban tramway providing access to key points in the city. Also you can get around by car, scooter, motorcycle or moped.

This tram, known as the A, starts north in Champratel and travels south through centreville, 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.

On foot

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 a directory.

A tram in Clermont-Ferrand

See

Vercingetorix the Gallic leader

• 🌍 Place de Jaude. The city centre, housing many cafés, stores, restaurants, and a shopping mall. People gather here to watch important sporting matches which are shown on giant screens, as well as to celebrate festivals. Its centerpiece is the large bronze statue of Vercingetorix, the Gallic leader, and Julius Caesar's opponent, during the Gallic Wars, 2,000 years ago. He led a stunning victory at Gergovie (6 km south of town, the ruins and archaeological digs atop the battle field plateau are also worth a visit) which was Caesar's lone defeat during this campaign. Vercingetorix 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. (updated Sep 2017)
• 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 (#40 stopping at, e.g., Jaude and train station), which runs in the summer and is not listed in the timetables. It goes to Panoramic de Dome, from where one can hike or take a train (~15 € return) to the summit. At the top, visitors can parasail, go hiking, or visit the cafe.
• 🌍 Vulcania (European Volcanic Park), 2 route de Mazayes, 63230 Saint-Ours-les-Roches (15 km out of Clermont-Ferrand on the D941, or 11 km from the A89 junction 26. A shuttle bus runs between Clermont-Ferrand railway station and the park every day in the summer school holidays. Spring and autumn visitors can reserve the shuttle up to 48 hours beforehand.), ☎ [phone]. Open late March to early November, normally 10:00–18:00. Some late openings for fireworks in summer.. Volcanic-based theme park which lets you discover the landscapes, geology and legends of the Auvergne and beyond, across 3D films and interactive activities. From €24.50 for adults, €17 for children (aged 6-16 years), €6 for young children (aged 3-5 years). Prices vary according to date, check website for details. The concession rate knocks a measly €1.50 off your admission, with supporting documents.  
• La Fontaine d'Amboise, which was built in 1515.
• Notre-Dame-du-Port 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 and the testing race track are also located in town.

Do

• 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 Lecoq. 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 () rugby game at Stade Marcel Michelin.
• Watch a baseball game.
• Eat a Truffade.
• Go to one of the various festivals: short film festival, jazz en tête.
• Have an Afterwork at the Coopérative de Mai.

Eat

• 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, 31 Rue des Gras. This bakery is the one where you will find the biggest and the best "viennoiseries" in the town! 
• Le Toucan (fast food), 2bis Rue Assas (near the escalators of the Jaude commercial center), ☎ [phone]. A typical fast food. You'll get special sandwiches with good bread, steacks and cheese from Auvergne (blue cheese, St Nectaire, ....) Go to map 

Drink

• 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 ! 
• Le Rimbaud (bar, restaurant, snack, ice cream), Place Louis Aragon (near the Jaude commercial center), ☎ [phone]. Concerts. Happy hours. Beers, cider and other specialities from Brittany. 
• Envie. Lunch Only. Great salad/pasta bar. Very friendly owners. Very good bargain. Try the homemade yogurt, it's to die for! Cheap. 

Sleep

• The Corum St Jean (Hostel), 17, Rue Gaultier de Biauzat, ☎ [phone]. 
• Home Dome (Hostel), 12, place de regensburg, ☎ [phone]. 
• You can find Couchsurfers in this area

Go next

See the get in section.

The airport links you to some of the big European cities, like Amsterdam, Brussels or Madrid.

Apart from the Millau viaduct, the A75 highway is free and links to the south.