Clermont Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme)

Clermont Ferrand is the capital of the Puy-de-Dôme department.

Clermont-Ferrand is situated in the Auvergne region of France, and is this region’s principal city, as well one of France’s oldest cities. It lies in the Massif Centrale, surrounded by stunning countryside. Famous for the volcanoes surrounding it, the Chaîne des Puys, the Puy-de-Dôme which is 13km from the city is the highest of these and known for the telecommunication antennas that sit on top and are visible from far afield. Wide open pastures and lakes sit side by side with volcanic mountain ranges, craters, and rivers, and castles and chateaux dot the landscape

The city sits on the plain of Limagne and is probably best known for the statue of Vercingetorix sitting on a horse and holding a glaive which is located in the place de Jaude, as it was sculpted by Frédéric Bartholdi who also created the Statue of Liberty. The inscription reads: J'ai pris les armes pour la liberté de tous (I took to arms for the liberty of all).

The imposing cathedral, the Cathedral Notre Dame de L’Assumption (13th-14th C) is built of dark-colored volcanic stone and is one of the great Gothic cathedrals of central France. It is notable particularly for its beautiful stained glass (13th- 14th C), particularly in the choir chapels and the rose windows in the transepts. In the crypt, which belonged to an earlier 10th C church, is a fourth century sarcophagus. The Romanesque towers and west front were replaced by Viollet-le-Duc in neo-Gothic style in 1865.

About the location

Just south of the centre of France, midway between Limoges and Lyon in the Auvergne

Public transport available

 A few hours from Paris, the central location of Clermont-Ferrand is one of its major assets.

• By air: Clermont-Ferrand/Auvergne (Aulnat) international airport is very close to the town centre
• By car: Paris - A71 (3 hours 30 minutes), Lyon - A72 (2 hours), Béziers - A75, Bordeaux - A89 (4 hours)
• By train: 8 direct connections to Paris daily

Tourist information website

http://www.ot-clermont-ferrand.fr

Tourist information contact email

Tourist information switch board number

+ 33 (0)4 73 98 65 00

Tourist information address

Place de la Victoire, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France

Local places of interest

Notre-Dame Cathédrale, Clermont-Ferrand (0.00 km)

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Clermont-Ferrand is a French national monument and a Gothic cathedral located in the town of Clermont-Ferrand. It is built entirely in black lava stone, which makes it noticable from afar. This cathedral was constructed circa 1837 and was planned by Father Maranda. read more...

Notre-Dame du Port Basilica in Clermont-Ferrand (0.50 km)

Notre-Dame du Port is a romanesque church built during the 11th century and 12th century (the bell tower was rebuilt during the 19th century). It was nominated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998. read more...

Musée d'Archéologie Bargoin (0.81 km)

The collection in Musée d'Archéologie Bargoin consists of objects excavated from Auvergnat sites founded by the Gallo-Romans and their predecessors: pottery shards, bronzes, woodcarvings, and an array of works noteworthy for anyone interested in France's prehistoric and pre-Roman origins. There's also an unusual collection of antique Oriental carpets. Each is artfully lit and suspended from walls and ceilings, and together they represent the evolution of the carpet as a prayer aid and a decorative work of art. Don't expect anything French in this place - it completely omits the carpets produced in nearby Aubusson. read more...

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