Clermont-Ferrand

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

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.

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.

By car
Clermont-Ferrand is also at the intersection of the A71 from Orléans and the North, the A75 from the South and Béziers, and the east-west A89 from Bordeaux to Lyon. With the exception of the Millau viaduct, about 225 km south of Clermont-Ferrand, which charges a toll, the A75 is free, unlike the A71 and A89 which charge tolls.

By public transport
A one-way ticket costs €1.60 and is good for an hour. You can also buy 10 tickets for €15.00. 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.

See

 * . 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.
 * 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.
 * Michelin Tire Corporation is headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand. The main factory and the testing race track are also located in town. A museum about the story of the brand (€11-€7-free for children) is located next to Marcel Michelin's Stadium (1 km northeast of the centre)
 * 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.
 * Michelin Tire Corporation is headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand. The main factory and the testing race track are also located in town. A museum about the story of the brand (€11-€7-free for children) is located next to Marcel Michelin's Stadium (1 km northeast of the centre)

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.
 * Football: Clermont Foot (aka "Les Lanciers") were relegated in 2024 and now play soccer in Ligue 2, the second tier. Their home ground is Stade Gabriel Montpied (capacity 12,000) in Croix-de-Neyrat 5 km north of city centre.
 * Rugby: ASM Clermont Auvergne play in Top 14, the top tier, at Stade Marcel Michelin (capacity 19,000) 1 km northeast of the centre.
 * Watch a baseball game.
 * Go to one of the various festivals: short film festival, jazz en tête.
 * Have an Afterwork at the Coopérative de Mai.

Budget
All these are in the city centre:



Sleep

 * You can find Couchsurfers in this area
 * You can find Couchsurfers in this area

Connect
As of June 2022, the city has 5G from all French carriers.

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.