Clermont-Ferrand (Clarmont-Ferrand ou Clarmont d'Auvèrnhe in the Auvergne region dialect) is a French city located in the Puy-de-Dôme department, part of the Auvergne region. Its inhabitants are called Clermontois. For historical reasons, the city is often called Clermont.
The actual city was born of the union of two distinct towns, Clermont and Monferrand, imposed by Louis XIIIth and later confirmed by Louis XVth. Montferrand was founded at the beginning of the XIIth century by the Auvergne Counts. Clermont is far older as it was already established during the Antiquity. The first mention of Clermont can be found in Strabon's work at the beginning of the 1st century. The town is then called Nemonos and is considered like the "Avernes' Metropole". Later, itbecame Augustonemetum and enjoyed a strong expansion period until the middle years of the 3rd century.
Location
Clermont-Ferrand is located in France's centre and is the capital city of the Auvergne region and of the Puy-de-Dôme department.
Clermont can be found with the Massif Central mountain range, at 410 metres over sea level on the Est side of the Puy mountain range where the Puy-de-Dôme, its most famous volcano. The city is located to the west of the Limagne plain. It is one of France's main motorway crossroad
Economy
Since the middle of the 20th century, the economy of Clermont-Ferrand has benefited from the establishment of the "Manufacture Française de Pneumatiques Michelin" which has had a strong influence on the city's growth and economical development.
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Indeed, the Michelin company has financed the construction of many public buildings (schools, sports centres, play-schools, etc.). From 1910, Michelin was one of the first companies to give out family allowences to its employees. By 1970, Michelin employed 30,000 people. Today, the company has downsized and employs with a staff of around 14,000 in Clermont-Ferrand, mainly in its administrative departments. |
Here are some of the other economical actors present in Clermont-Ferrand:
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• The food industry due to the proximity of the Limagne plain, a cereal-growing area, with Limagrain. |
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• The pharmaceutical industry with the Laboratoires Boiron. |
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• The metallurgy |
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• The Information technologies and communication sectors, Pascalis. |
Clermont-Ferrand's main employers are: The Regional Hospital (CHRU), Michelin, the La Montagne newspaper.
Museums
• The archeology museum of Bargoin
• The Roger Quilliot art museum
• The Henri Lecoq museum of natural history
• The rug and textile arts museum
• The Ranquet museum
• Vulcania, the European Parc of volcanology (town of Saint-Ours-les-Roches)
Parcs and gardens
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• The Lecoq garden
• The 26 hectares Montjuzet Parc dominates the city. Created at the end of the 20th century, it offers the chance to discover a surprinsing mediterranean garden.
• The 4 hectares Creux de l'Enfer parc is located on the East side of the city, in the Landais and Fontaine-du-Bac neighberhood. Less well know, it offers children outdoor games. |