Clermont-Ferrand

Clermont-Ferrand is a common French, located in the department of the Puy-de-Dôme and in the area of Auvergne. Its inhabitants is called Clermontois. Partly for historical reasons, the city is often called Clermont .

The modern city was born from a union from two cities distinct, Clairmont and Montferrand imposed by Louis XIII and confirmed under Louis XV.

Whereas Montferrand was founded at the beginning of the 12th century by the counts d' Auvergne on the model of the country houses of South-west, Clermont is much older, since it existed already in the Antiquité. Oldest mention of the existence of Clermont figure in the work of Strabon, at the beginning of the 1st century. The city is then called Nemossos and qualified “Métropole of the Arvernes”. It took thereafter the denomination of Augustonemetum .

Denominations

Clermont-Ferrand is called in Occitan: Clarmont-Ferrand or Clarmont d' Auvèrnhe .

Geography

Situation

Clermont is located at the intersection of the highway axes meridian line Paris - Béziers (A71 and A75) and transverse Lyon - Bordeaux (A89 and A72).

The city is in the center-south of the France, chief town of the area of Auvergne and of the department of the Puy-de-Dôme.

Clermont is located within the Massif Central, with 410 meters of altitude. In the west, the city is overhung by the plate on which is the Chaîne of Puys among which is drawn up the Puy de Dôme, its more famous volcano. To the east of the agglomeration the plain extends from the Limagne.

The city is at the same time a contact point between the cereal plain of Limagne and the mountain of breeding of the Monts Domes.

Site

A vast part of the city occupies a volcanic hillock called the central Plateau . It acts, in fact, of the edge is crater of a Maar (of the Place of Jaude to the Carrefour Europe of Chamalières) one hundred fifty six thousand years old. This one measures approximately 1.5 km in diameter and was filled by the alluvia of the Tiretaine, small river which crosses the city. Clermont is also built with the variation of the easily flooded valley Allier. The city developed around this central Plateau on which the cathedral rises, extending to the east in the plain and, to a lesser extent, on the slopes in the west.

Climate

The climate of the city is characterized by strong a thermal Amplitude annual. The hot be is marked by Orage S while the Hiver is cold and sec.
The Pluviométrie is one of weakest of France with 591 millimetres of Précipitations per annum.
The Ensoleillement is of: 1907 hours per annum.
The measuring site of Météo France recorded the extreme temperatures of +40.7 [[Degree Celsius °C]] in July 1983 and of -29.0 °C in February 1929.

Currency

The currency of Clermont is Arverna Civitas Nobilissima (“the City arverne is noblest”).

History

The time Gallo-Roman

The first mention of Clermont is granted to the Greek geographer Strabon under the name of Nemossos. The term is Gaulois and indicates a crowned wood. She is described there as “metropolis of the Arvernes” and its population is located on the current hillock of the cathedral.

In the vicinity (without the place being formally recognized), at the time of the Siège of Gergovie, the Gallic army pushes back the Roman legions. During the Gallo-Roman period, the city develops under the name of Augustonemetum, Latinization of the Gallic name formed starting from the name of the Empereur Auguste. Its population is then estimated of: 15000 with: 30000 inhabitants at the 2nd century what makes of it a big city of the Gaulle Roman. Augustonemetum knows a phase of extension which finishes in the middle of the 3rd century.

The Visigoths besiege several Clermont times between 471 and 475. In spite of the defense of the Patrice Ecdicius and of the bishop Sidoine Apollinaire, the city is yielded to the Visigoths by the emperor Julius Nepos, and belonged to the Royaume Visigoth until in 507.

The the Middle Ages

Clermont knows after the disappearance of the Roman Empire one period dark, marked by plunderings of which it is the object on behalf of the people which invade the Gaulle and by the Viking S during the weakening of the Carolingian Empire is not saved.

In 848, the city takes the name of Clairmont by reference to the strong castle of Clarus Mons. Clermont is devastated by the Normands of the chief Hasting in 862. The bishop Sigon undertakes his rebuilding, but it is again devastated in 898 or 910 (the date is not known with precision).

The bishop Etienne II makes build a Romance Cathédrale devoted in 946 to the site of the current cathedral. It will be destroyed during the construction of the Gothic cathedral current.

In 1095, at the time of the council of Clermont, the pope Urbain II sermon the First crusade.

In 1120, to thwart the capacity of the bishops, the counts d' Auvergne base near the episcopal city the city of Montferrand on the model of the country houses of south-west, these new cities of the South. During all the the Middle Ages and until the modern time, Clermont and the current district of Montferrand are two distinct cities: Clermont is the episcopal city , Montferrand, the city comtale.

In 1490, the town of Clermont suffers large damage because of an earthquake. Twelve turns of the enclosure crumble completely or partially as well as a tower of the church Notre-Dame of the Port. The cathedral also suffers damage. (A crack on the southern gate is always visible).

In 1551, Clermont becomes royal city, then in 1610, property inseparable from the Crown. Henri II transforms the administration of Clermont into old alderman the October 18th 1556 (4 aldermen then 3 in 1559).

In 1557, Clermont receives the title of Chef and capital city of the country of Auvergne whereas Riom becomes Chef of the duchy of Auvergne and country for the exercise of justice thus taking the advantage for the legal functions. However, creation, in 1582 with Clermont, of a présidial of ten magistrates restores balance.

The 17th century

Blaise Pascal is born with Clermont in 1623 where it saw until in 1655 there. April 15th 1630, the edict of Troyes (1st edict of Union) gathers authoritatively Clermont and Montferrand. This union is confirmed in 1731 by Louis XV with the 2nd edict of Union.

The 18th century

In 1789, the area of Clermont is represented with the General states by:

The 19th century

In 1832, Aristide Barbier and Edouard Daubrée found a factory of rubber balls and agricultural machinery. This factory will be at the origin of the group Michelin. The first factory, built Place of the Carmelite friars in 1889, manufactures brake shoes for bicycle. The first patent of tire for bicycle is deposited in 1891. The seat of the group is still at this address.

The first railway station is built between 1855 and 1857.

The 20th century

The development of Michelin

The expansion of Michelin causes the creation of the Cités Michelin where the personnel was placed. These cities answer the objectives of paternalism, marked Catholicism in the case of the family Michelin, typical of the employers of the time, social control of the personnel. But more simply, that makes it possible to face the very strong increase in the population clermontoise related to the expansion of the industrial activity - it passes from: 52000 in 1900 with: 82000 in 1921 - and in very bad housing conditions of the workmen who come to work with “manufacture”. There is: 3000 residences Michelin during the decade 1930. New working districts thus are entirely built, following the example typical place which is the Plain with its strictly symmetrical streets and its blocks of houses divided into four family residences. Streets which do not bear the name of famous characters or places but of quality or virtues Rue of Kindness or the Rue of the Faith . These names at that time reflected the values defended by the Michelin family.

The development of these cities is accompanied by the creation of private clinics, schools, a church, co-operatives where the personnel will make his races. Pierre-Jules Baker chairman of Citroen and joint manager of Michelin buys its costumes with the Coopérative Michelin. The group finances a club omnisport: the Sports association Michelin. A life is organized inside the institution Michelin.

The Second world war

The June 29th 1940, the government, which has just signed the armistice, is folded up in Clermont. For a few days, the capital of the Auvergne is also the capital of the France, before it is folded up on the city close to Vichy. Several ministries remain nevertheless on the spot.

The May 9th 1941, following a faked lawsuit, Pierre Mendès France, then lieutenant of the French air force, is condemned for desertion by the military tribunal from Clermont-Ferrand, following the business of the Massilia. He escapes the June 21st from the military hospital to join the general De Gaulle with London.

Resistance to Clermont articulates around the daily newspaper the Mountain . Its founder, the Socialist Alexandre Varenne having declared that he “preferred to break his feather rather” than to put it at the service of the enemy. The newspaper undergoes the Censure regularly. It is interdict of publication on several occasions. With the Release, the Mountain will have happiness to be able to arise under the same name.

In 1944, the 92 {{E}} regiment of infantry of line settles definitively in the city.

The 21e century

The company Michelin loses of its weight in term of employment. Clermont thus knows a rebalancing with the profit of the tertiary sector.

A policy of great work is followed by the municipality; the Place of Jaude is refitted, a line of tram is inaugurated in October 2006. The District council of Auvergne builds in the agglomeration clermontoise, a theater of great capacity, the Zenith of Auvergne as well as gigantic a Halle of exposure, the Grande Halle of Auvergne, both inaugurated at the end of the year 2003.

Demography

Economy - Employment

Since the middle of the 20th century, the saving in Clermont is closely related to the French Manufacture of tires Michelin which strongly influenced the urban development. Indeed, the family Michelin, very paternalist, built many public buildings (schools, cribs, stage, etc). In the Years 1910, the company is among the first to pour family benefits with its employees, who are called the Bibs (name of Bibendum, the mascot of the company). In 1970, Michelin employs: 30000 paid. Today, the weight of manufacture within the city decreased much, and the number of employees is established from now on with approximately: 14000, mainly in the administrative services of the company.

Clermont is an important administrative center. One thus finds many employment related to the local government agencies (Area, General advice, municipality…), with the hospital sector, the decentralized services of the State, like the National school of the taxes. The other developed economic sectors are:

  • the agroalimentary due one to the proximity of the plain of the Limagne, with mainly the co-operative Limagrain, but also research with INRA, or centers it CNASEA;
  • drug company with the Laboratories Boiron. In the city close to Riom, one finds also the factory of MSD Chibret;
  • the Metallurgy;
  • the pole of communication and information technologies (TIC), Pascalis.

The principal employers of the agglomeration clermontoise are: the CHRU, Michelin or the Banque de France (with Chamalières).

Clermont is the seat of the Chamber of commerce and the industry of Clermont-Ferrand/Issoire which managed the Aéroport of Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne, until 2006.

Transport

Highway connections

Clermont is connected by the Autoroute in the four principal directions:
  • towards north: Clermont - Paris (A71) (approximately 3:30);
  • towards the south: Clermont - Béziers (A75) (approximately 3 hours);
  • towards the east: Clermont - Lyon (approximately 2 hours) A89 until Balbigny, then A72;
  • towards the west: Clermont - Bordeaux (A89) (approximately 4 hours) A71 (or RN89) until Combronde then A89.

Thus, Clermont is connected by the highway to Saint-Etienne, the the Alps, Marseilles by the A72, to Limoges, Brive, Périgueux and Toulouse by the A89, with Bourges, Montlucon, Nevers by the A71), with Montpellier, Perpignan and the Spain by the A75).

Rail links

See also: Stations of Clermont-Ferrand-City

The trains Coral and Corail Téoz connect Clermont to Paris in 3:09 (way without stop). In 2008, Clermont will be with 2:58 of Paris thanks to and security renovation work of the ways (suppressions of crossings levels). The Clermont-Paris line was the first equipped with the cars Corail Téoz by the SNCF.

In direction of the west or is, the connections are developed little, times of high ways (more than 6 hours to join Bordeaux, 2:45 hours to arrive at Lyon). The time of way towards Lyon however was recently tiny room to 2:15 thanks to renovation work of the ways and especially to the skirting of Saint-Germain-of-Ditches, thus avoiding a 20 minutes turning.

No Ligne at high speed serves the city in spite of multiple pressures of the elected officials and inhabitants. Several projects were proposed of which a line at high speed towards Paris, LGV Massif Central (rejected in 2005) or the Transversale the Alps Auvergne Atlantique defended by the district council of Auvergne. If it takes place, the startup of these lines is not awaited before 2030.

Air links

See also: Airport of Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne

The international airport of Clermont-Ferrand is located on the commune of Aulnat, in the east of the agglomeration clermontoise. It has a track a length of 3015 Mr. It is currently managed by a mixed trade-union led by Clermont Communauté.

Scheduled flights are ensured bound for Bordeaux, Biarritz, Montpellier, Marseilles, Nice, Mulhouse - Basle, Lyon, Toulouse, Bastia (in summer), Ajaccio (in summer), Strasbourg, Metz - Nancy, Paris (Orly and Charles de Gaulle), Lille and Nantes like worms Amsterdam, Brussels, Geneva and Milan. The connections of Oporto (in summer) and Lisbon (weekly) are ensured by PGA Portugalia Airlines. The creation of a line towards the airport of Manchester is under study. A Clermont-Madrid connection will be exploited, by a subsidiary company of iberia, into 2008 in a seasonal way and subject to frequentation.

The airport of Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne is one of rare in the world to have received the Concorde. Reception made possible thanks to friendly the " pression" of Michelin which provided the tires of the supersonic one.

Urban transport

See also: Public transport Clermontois

See also: Tram of Clermont-Ferrand

The grid system clermontois is managed by T2C.

In the long term the spinal column of this network should be the tyred Tramway of technology Translohr, whose first section was brought into service the November 13rd 2006 (one month of technical adjustments being necessary after the official unveiling of the October 14th). Since September 2007, the entirety of the line is open on 14 km and 31 stations, between the Station of Pardieu, in the technopolis and the popular quarters of the Alders. This principal line is supplemented by drunk lines of reorganized for the occasion allowing the service road of all the community of the communes. Already, is evoked the creation of one second East-West line between the district of SNCF railway station and the town of Royat. After reserves of the municipality of Chamalières, it seems that certain a concensus got clear to start a reflection on this second line.

A first line of public transport in exclusive right of way had been brought into service in 2001 (technology Civis) but the vehicles Civis were withdrawn from the service because of many problems and high operating costs. Since September 2004, the MooviCité service, initiated by the Mixed trade-union of Public transport of the agglomeration clermontoise (SMTC), proposes transport with the request for the people with reduced mobility, as well as the hiring of traditional bicycles and bicycles to electric assistance (V.A.E.), for all inside the agglomeration.

Administration

Town hall

See also: List of the mayors of Clermont

The mayor current of the city east Serge Godard (PS), successor of Roger Quilliot on July 4th 1997 and re-elected in 2001. It is the third mayor of the city since the end of the Second world war, after the Socialists Gabriel Montpied (of 1944 with 1973) and Roger Quilliot (of 1973 with 1997).

List cantons

Clermont-Ferrand is divided into new cantons:

Catholic worship

Clermont is a seat archiépiscopal. The current bishop is Monseigneur Hippolyte Simon.

Teaching

Clermont shelters: 38000 students divided in two universities, the University of Auvergne (Clermont I, approximately: 13000 students) and the University Blaise-Pascal (Clermont II, approximately: 15000 students) like six schools of engineers or management.

The city is located at the 16th national rank for higher education.

Meadows of 10% of the student's population comes from abroad. One meets the many Europeans accommodated thanks to the programs of exchanges Erasmus type. There are also Americans, students coming from several countries of Africa (as private individuals in the courses of Economy of the Development). Finally for a few years, the Chinese population estudiatine has been in full expansion thanks to partnerships with several Chinese campuses. Principal schools:

The universities and schools are dispersed in various sites in downtown area like on the university campus of Cézeaux.
One will retain the building of the street Carnot, seat of the Université Blaise-Pascal, which accommodated the University of Strasbourg during the German occupation of the Second world war, or the tertiary pole of the Rotunda, where the courses of right and political science are exempted, building of modern architecture.

The universities of Clermont 1 and Clermont 2 have the project to amalgamate in only one and even entity in the next years.

Both university of Clermont were retained to belong to the audits launched by the Fillon government in 2008 for the autonomy of the French universities.

Remarkable monuments and places

Clermont is classified Ville of Art and History. Many monuments can disconcert by their dark colors which extend from the clear gray to the intense black. The traditional construction material is indeed the Pierre de Volvic - resulting from the ic “cheyres” basalt of the Chaîne of the puys.

Religious buildings

  • the Romance basilica Notre-Dame of the Port, built at the 12th century, the site (according to the legend) of a church of the 6th century. Classified with the World heritage by UNESCO in 1998. It currently undergoes heavy work of interior restoration which should be completed in 2008.
  • the church Saint Laurent (street Saint Laurent): at the origin a very old church. (Gregoire de Tours mentions in 551 that his/her uncle the bishop Gallus de Clermont is buried there). It is embedded today in the buildings of the district of the Port and outside is not visible. The current church is in Arkose like Notre-Dame of the Port. It comprises a Nef of two Travée S and a chorus with a right span and a Abside into semicircular in Cul of furnace. It is used as meeting room and of exposure by the Paroisse.
  • the vault of the Cordeliers-Old men: probably built in 1241.
  • the cathedral Our-Lady-in-the Assomption built between 1248 and 1902 in Pierre de Volvic. Its two turns are visible by far and are one of the symbols of the city.
  • the Notre-Dame church of Prosperity, in the district of Montferrand, built between the 14th century and the 16th century.
  • the church of the Carmelite friars Exposed, built at the 18th century on the site of an old convent given by the bishop Joachim d' Estaing to the Carmelite friars Exposed in 1653. Work was completed starting from 1752 with other interventions later. It is of style Baroque. Its plan is known as in quatrefeuille. The church is next to the Cimetière of the Carmelite friars where many personalities clermontoises are buried. The church lost its religious vocation at the beginning of the 20th century and is used today like warehouse.
  • the church Saint-Eutrope: built on the site of a basilica dedicated to Holy Etienne and destroyed by the Norman ones. A first church was built at the 12th century. It was destroyed partially in 1827 then completely in 1858. The current church was built between 1858 and 1862.
  • the church Saint Joseph built between 1883 and 1897 under the impulse of monseigneur Joseph Boyer by the Architect S Banier and Mitton (this last for the frontage). The style imitates the Romance churches auvergnates. It comprises, inter alia, of the stained glasses dating from first half of the 20th century and a Adorations of the magi of the sculptor visible Emile Gourgouillon above the gate of entry.

Civil monuments and places

  • historical quarters of Montferrand.
  • hollow of the historical quarters.
  • the old center around the place of the Victoire.
  • the Street of the Port.
  • fountains: 48 public fountains and basins, 115 private fountains.
* the Fountain of Amboise (1511).
* the Fountain Desaix (1801) called the pyramid .
* the Fountain Urbain II with sculptures of Henri Gourgouillon
  • the Hotel Savaron (1513).
  • the Hotel of Fontfreyde ().
  • the Hotel of Chazerat: built by the president of the court of the assistances, Charles Antoine Claude de Chazerat following the Fire of its house in 1759. Work is completed in 1769. The building of Style Louis XVI comprises, inter alia, an oval court bordered of Pilastre grooved and surmounted by ionic capitals. It is occupied since 1982 by the Regional management of the cultural Affairs of Auvergne.
  • the Statue of the general Desaix, inaugurated in August 1848, dominates the Place of Jaude. It was carried out by the sculptor Nanteuil.
  • the equestrian Statue of Vercingétorix, inaugurated the October 12th 1903 is the work of Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi with which one also owes the Statue of Freedom.
  • the Cemetery of the Carmelite friars: the oldest cemetery of the city, one finds there the tombs of many clermontois famous.

Structure of the 19th century

The opera of Clermont is closed with the public since the beginning of the year 2007. Following falls of part of the ceiling in the corridors, the municipality decided to close by precaution the building. Large renovation works will be committed. it will make it possible to give to the standards the building and to modernize the scenic machinery.

Structure of the 20th century

  • the Galleries of Jaude, today Galleries Lafayette. The building goes back to 1907. Its frontage dominates the Place of Jaude.
  • the Hospital-sanatorium Sabourin (street Of Doctor Bousquet): built by the architect clermontois Albéric Aubert in the years 1930, and clearly influenced by the recent theories of the Corbusier. It constitutes the only example of modern architecture of the inter-war period in Auvergne. In 1997, the building is unused after reorganization of the hospital services of the area. The hospital was classified historic building in 2000. In 2006, work of restoration was undertaken; they will allow the transfer of the school of architecture the Hospital-sanatorium Sabourin.
  • the coach station (Boulevard François Mitterrand) was built between 1961 and 1964 by Valentine Vigneron. Its style is inspired by that of Auguste Perret. The building forms a coherent whole with the buildings close to the house of the congresses, of the room of agriculture, agricultural reciprocity and the Agricultural credit which borders the place of Saline the. It will be altered soon to become the second larger library of France.
  • the thrown , (place Michel of Hospital) shelters the association Sauve which can short-measuring organizing of the international festival of short-measuring. Its architecture, resembling a boat, combines tradition and modernity.
  • the Gone Saint-Pierre, (Place holy Pierre) is a market hall intended for the product sales food. The current building was built between 1985 and 1987 (inauguration the May 4th 1987) by the architects clermontois André Bosser and Jean-Claude Marquet. A first building of the type Baltard had been built in 1873 on the site of a market in the open air, then destroyed in 1931 and replaced by a building out of concrete and glass conceived by the architect clermontois Aubert.

Structure of the 21e century

  • the university of art of Clermont the Community, at one time located in the old building 18th century of the corn exchange, it is located, since January 2006, in a contemporary building which was designed by the agency of architecture Architecture-studio , in the street Kessler in the south of the downtown area.
  • the swimming pool Pierre-of-Coubertin is increased and equipped with an opening roof. That of makes an innovative structure and more pleasant in summer.
  • the Place of Jaude was urbanized with. It was completely renovated between 2003 and 2005.
  • the Carré Jaude 2 is an important town planning scheme of downtown area. It will be located along the Julien Avenue, with two steps of the Center-Jaude. Its surface of 51000 m ² will make it possible to accommodate a hotel 3 stars of 123 rooms, trade, a cinema of seven rooms including/understanding: 1199 places, and various buildings for the tertiary sector.
  • the Polydome, place of May 1st, is the new center of the congresses and exposure of the city. The building replaced co-operative old Michelin. Part of the building is a concert hall of modern musics, the Coopérative of May, name in homage to the old function of the building.

Culture

  • Clermont-Ferrand is the town of France which shelters the most groups of current musics. In addition, the Puy-de-Dôme would only shelter with him 7.5% of the groups of rock'n'roll French in activity.
  • Of many artists of the movement Street art is present at Clermont.
  • One can thus observe many joinings or artistic graffiti in the streets of the city (Ziquicks, Space invaders, works of Keymi,…), in particular in the hypercentre of Clermont.

Festivals

  • the international festival of short-measuring, created in 1979, it acquired an international radiation. He is regarded as one of most important.
  • Vidéoformes (video and new media in the contemporary art). Created in 1986, it became the reference in France and on the international scene in its field.
  • the European Festival of automobile advertizing film.
  • Jazz at the head, the international festival of Jazz, created in 1988. The large majority of the significant jazzmen of our time passes or passed to the festival Jazz at the head , of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock with Wynton Marsalis and Michel Petrucciani, without forgetting the current divas Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diane Reeves or Cassandra Wilson.
  • the Festival Nicéphore, international festival of the still image and the Photography.
  • the Biennial of the notebook of voyage
  • Europavox, the European festival of music
  • Traces of Lives meetings of the documentary film. Since 1991, this festival proposes with many people a selection of more than fifty documentary films in contest and a score of films except contest.

Museums

  • the Museum of archeology Bargoin
  • the Museum of art Roger Quilliot
  • the Natural history museum of natural history Henri Lecoq
  • the Museum of the carpet and textile arts
  • the Museum of Ranquet
  • Vulcania the European park of volcanicity (commune of Saint-Bear-the-Rocks)

Theaters and in concert

  • the Co-operative of May
  • the Zenith of Auvergne
  • the municipal opera
  • the house of the congresses
  • the house of the sports
  • the house of the people
  • the Vault of Good Pasteur

Musical seasons

  • Orchestre of Auvergne
  • Quatuor Preceded Vista

Songs

A humorous song was composed by Jean Maupoint on Clermont-Ferrand, the Tiretaine . It is a small romantic waltz paying homage to the éponyme river clermontoise, which was used a long time as communal sewer.

Several texts sung by Jacques Brel refer to the Auvergne and Clermont-Ferrand, in particular “the song of Jacky”.

The group Wazoo, originating in Clermont, refers several to the local life in its song “the crank”.

Coluche sang “The Blues In Clermont-Ferrand”.

Novels

  • the colonial Exposure, novel of Erik Orsenna, Price Goncourt 1985, occurs partly to Clermont-Ferrand.

Films

Districts

The city is divided into many districts, having each one a heart and a clean identity.

Rare are the districts considered sensitive. Three more known are Champratel , Croix of Neyrat and Flamina or also better known under the name of the " Vergnes" who were touched at the time of the urban violences of 2005. Coming from people who are not Clermont-Ferrand it is not rare to hear of their share which the districts north constitute only one and single district (Cross of Neyrat, Champratel, the Alders and Gauthière (Z.U.P) of or its reputation through France.

Downtown area

The downtown area of Clermont-Ferrand concentrates around the hillock occupied by the Cathédrale Our-Lady-with-the Assumption. A great part makes up of old frame served by streets often pedestrians.

It is there that one finds the heart commercial of the city, in particular on the Place of Jaude.

The majority of the administrations are also located in this sector, in particular the town hall, the General advice of the Puy-de-Dôme as well as the Préfecture.

Several components of the universities clermontoises are installed in the center. The UFR of Letters, Languages and Social sciences, the UFR psychology and the economic scene and Faculty of Law are in this case.

South-east

This part of the city counts a mosaic of small districts to disparate architectures:
  • the Nine-Suns
  • Raye-God
  • Landais
  • the Fountain-of-Vat
  • Oradou
  • Anatole-France
  • Herbet

Is city counts many industrial plants, in particular in the district of Brézet. The park of activities of Pardieu accommodates many companies.

Many commercial signs and several hypermarkets are installed along the grand boulevards which cross these zones. Lastly, it is necessary to note the proximity of the university campus of Cézeaux.

The districts north

The districts of the north of Clermont-Ferrand, often sensitive, essentially gather large residential complexes of type HLM. One finds the districts following:
  • Cross-of-Neyrat (approximately 10.000 inhabitants)
  • the Plain, which represents the prototype of the urbanization under the influence of the industrialist Michelin with his squaring of streets bordered of quoted Michelin of which oldest date from the years 1920.
  • Champratel, district of great units built in the years 1970 which is famous to be the most sensitive district of Clermont-Ferrand with Cross-of-Neyrat and which was a priority of urban renewal to prevent that new violences prevail in this district. It should be noted that Champratel, being quoted in a project of urban renewal will see one of its most popular turns with 3 branches known as " the dinosaure" to be destroyed from here has 2008. A building of the same type had already been destroyed in 1999.
  • the Alders, him also disadvantaged district of Clermont remains the district more with the variation of the city
and or the facts of delinquency, same if in strong fall a long time worried the national authorities, district nottament mediatized in the riots of 2005 or the young people savagely opposed the police force after the death of 2 young people in Paris region
  • Gauthière, district in particular gathering long buildings (commonly called " barres") and three emblematic towers of 15 stages chacunes.

Champradet

Champradet is located at the west of Clermont, on the buttresses of the plate which occupies the Chaîne of Puys. This district is primarily occupied by houses, which in fact a zone quasi-exclusivement residential.

The Refrigerator - Coasts of Clermont

These primarily residential districts are next to the Parc Montjuzet and occupy the bottom of the coasts of Chanturgue.Ce district rather quiet residences Miss, villas and some buildings HLM which make Refrigerator a district complementary to the social point of view.

The Saline ones - Vallières

Residential districts close to the downtown area.

Montferrand and neighborhood

Montferrand is an old medieval site highly emphasized (safeguarded sector). This district was the historical competitor of Clermont a long time when the two cities were not joined together.

Between north and the center, one essentially meets two large types of districts with the factories Michelin (Cataroux, Combaude, Carmes). In the vicinity immediate of the entries, popular quarters take shape, once again with workmen of manufacture (Chanteranne).

The district of Gauthière as for him consists of great units HLM what does one of the disadvantaged districts of Clermont of them. It is insulated enough because of the main roads of circulation which surround it but however nearer to the center town than of the districts like the Alders or Champratel or the social situation is much more alarming.

Saint-Jacob - Clermont Southern

The Saint-Jacob district is primarily made up great whole of the type HLM, it is of size almost comparable with Croix of same Neyrat if its limits are less easy to define and gathers nearly 15.000 inhabitants. Among them, the emblematic building of this zone: the wall of China, building which owes its nickname with its situation in height and its very big length.

It is there that one finds the CHU Gabriel Montpied.

Environment

Urban parks and gardens

  • the Garden Lecoq, still called the botanical garden , contains a strengthened door of the 16th century coming from the manor, now disappeared, of the family of Pascal. The garden Lecoq (just like the small park of the station of Clermont-Ferrand) is the work of the landscape designer Paul de Lavenne Count Choulot. One said of him that it was the Capability Brown French. It in particular intervened with the Vésinet close to Paris. The style landscape of the Count de Choulot will be followed by the dynasty bourbonnaise landscape designers the Treyve.
  • the Parc of Montjuzet is a park of 26 hectares which dominates the city. Created at the end of the 20th century, it presents one surprising Mediterranean gasoline garden.
  • the Parc of the Hollow of the Hell is a park of four hectares. It is located at the south-east of the city, between the Quartier of Landais and the Fountain-of-Vat. This park presents a course of orientation.
  • the Park of Gauthière.
  • the Park of Fraternity.

Back-country

Sport

See also: Sport in Clermont-Ferrand

Major clubs

  • the club of Rugby ASM Clermont Auvergne, finalist of the Championship of France in 1936, 1937, 1970, 1978, 1994, 1999, 2001 and 2007. Currently evolving/moving in SIGNAL 14, the elite of French Rugby, the ASM Clermont Auvergne starts this season 2007-2008 with the ambition to seize the Bouclier of Brennus.
  • the club Clermont Foot Auvergne 63, quarter of finalist of the Coupe de France in 1997 and 2005. The club plays season 2007/2008 in Ligue 2 Orange after one year in National (division 3).
  • the stage Clermontois (tennis shoe). Evolve/move in the bottom of table of PRO A.
  • SCAB 63 (tennis shoe, female). Evolve/move in Female League.
  • the Clermont-Auvergne Hockey Club (CAHC) renamed Hockey Clermont the Auvergne Community (HCCA) in 2005. Evolve/move in D2.
  • Clermont Judo
  • CFA Servals (American football), champion of France of Division 2 in 1998,2002 and 2006
  • the club Clermont-Athletics
  • the stage Clermontois Natation
  • the stage Clermontois Tir with the arc (Sebastien Flute)
  • the club of fight Clermont-Ferrand ASM fights (or A.S.Montferrandaise fights)
  • the club of VTT the Rolled edges
  • the club of gymnastics UFOLEP Clermont Saint-Jacob Gym (many times finalist for the championships of France)
  • the club of cycling all disciplines and all ages the Star cyclist of Clermont-Ferrand (podium to the championship of the world)

Sporting infrastructures

  • the Stade Gabriel-Montpied (Football and Judo)
  • the nautical Stade Pierre-of-Coubertin
  • the Parc of the sports Marcel-Michelin (stage of Rugby of ASM Clermont Auvergne)
  • the Stadium Jean-Peel (covered stage of Athlétisme of 6462 [[Square meter m ²]], on the common of Aubière)
  • the Stade Philippe-Marcombes
  • the house of the Sports
  • the Circuit of Charade (common of Saint-Genoa-Champanelle)
  • the Patinoire of Clermont Communauté
  • the Gymnase Diderot of A.S.Montferrandaise fights

Media

Written press

  • the Mountain , regional newspaper of the group Center-France.
  • Information Magazine , free weekly magazine comprising a magazine and classifieds.
  • the Sower Hebdo , regional weekly magazine.
  • Shameless the , satirical newspaper.
  • Sports Auvergne , specialized two-monthly magazine of the group Center-France.
  • Modergnat , monthly magazine of general topicality.
  • One Two Four , quarterly magazine.

Television

Radio

International

Twin towns

Homage

The name of Clermont was given to the town of Clermont to the Quebec, in homage to Blaise Pascal.

Personalities

Famous people born in Clermont

  • Blaise Pascal, philosopher, theologist, mathematician and physicist, (° 1623, † 1662).
  • Jacqueline Pascal, woman of letters, sister of Blaise Pascal, (° 1625, † 1661).
  • Jacques Delille, man of the church, poet, French academician, (° 1738, † 1813).
  • Antoine-Léonard Thomas, writer, French academician, (° 1732, † 1785).
  • Sebastien-Roch Nicolas de Chamfort, writer moralist, French academician, (° 1741, † 1794).
  • George Onslow, type-setter, (° 1784, † 1853).
  • Fernand Forest, inventor of the Engine spark-ignition , (° 1851, † 1914).
  • Albert Malet (1864-1915), historian and author of school handbooks.
  • Andre Michelin, industrialist (° 1853, † 1931).
  • Edouard Michelin, industrialist, inventor with his brother Andre of the dismountable tire, founder of industry clermontoise of the pneumatic , (° 1859, † 1940).
  • Alexandre Varenne, politician, (° 1870, † 1947).
  • Fernand Raynaud, humorist (° 1926, † 1973).
  • Maurice Rock, writer, (° 1924, † 1997).
  • Patrick To strip of straw, pilot of Formula 1, (° 1944, † 1980).
  • Edouard Michelin, managing jointly company of the tire, (° 1963, † 2006).
  • Eric Laurrent, French writer (° 1966)

Famous residents

  • Sidoine Apollinaire, writer, man of the church, (° 430 - † 486).
  • Jean-Baptiste Massillon, writer, man of the church, (° 1663 - † 1742).
  • Jean-Philippe Branch, type-setter, organist with the cathedral, (° 1683 - † 1764).
  • Georges Couthon, Revolutionary, member of the Committee of public hello, (° 1755 - † 1794).
  • Henri Lecoq, botanist and geologist, (° 1802 - † 1871).
  • Charles de Morny (Duke of Morny), financier, politician, industrialist, (° 1811 - † 1865).
  • Louis Pasteur, scientist, (° 1822 - † 1895).
  • Paul Le Bourget, writer, (° 1852 - † 1935).
  • Georges Desdevises of Dézert, historian, novelist, poet and critical literary, (° 1854 - † 1942).
  • Henri Bergson, philosopher, professor of philosophy to the Blaise-Pascal college of 1883 with 1888. Nobel Prize of literature in 1927, (° 1859 - † 1941).
  • Alexandre Vialatte, writer, (° 1901 - † 1971).
  • Albert Soboul, historian, (° 1914 - † 1982).
  • Jean Anglade, writer, (° 1915).
  • Jules Vuillemin, philosopher and professor of Philosophy in Clermont, (° 1920 - † 2001).
  • Michel Foucault, philosopher and professor of philosophy at the university of Clermont-Ferrand between 1960 and 1966, (° 1926 - † 1984).
  • Michel Greenhouses, philosopher and professor of philosophy at the university of Clermont-Ferrand between 1958 and 1968, (° 1930).

Images of the city

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