Chatelguyon Hotels

City (1990 pop. 140,167), capital of Puy-de-Dome dept., central France, in Auvergne, on the Tiretaine River. One of the population and industrial centers of the Massif Central, it is home of the Michelin and other tire factories, and of important metallurgical works. The capital of the former province of Auvergne, it was formed in 1731 by the merger of Clermont and Montferrand. Clermont was built in Roman times near the site of Gergovia, which Vercingetorix held against Julius Caesar in 52 B.C. and which was later destroyed. An episcopal see since the 3d cent., it was the site of several church councils, notably that of 1095, where Pope Urban II preached the First Crusade (see Crusades). The city is picturesquely situated near the Puy de Dôme peak. It is built largely of the dark volcanic rock of the region. The Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame (13th-14th cent.) and the Romanesque Church of Notre-Dame du Port (12th cent.) are among the notable buildings. Blaise Pascal was born in Clermont-Ferrand. There is a university (founded 1854) in the city. The spires of the Notre-Dame gothic cathedral in Volvic's lava soar in Clermont - Ferrand 's skyward. Place of Poterne (with Amboise fountain) you have a wonderful panorama on the Puys mountain range like Puy de Dome. Monferrand's suburb kept a gothic and Renaissance style. In Gras street you should see the Ranquet museum with the famous local personalities souvenirs from Blaise Pascal to Desaix as well as local products. Notre-Dame-du-Port is one of the beautiful Romanesque style church. You can visit the plateau of Gergovie , site of the Gallic victory upon the Romanian legions (53 BC), Saint-Nectaire (its romanesque church and its fountain), then the fortified village of Montaigut-le-Blanc till to Issoire (Saint-Paul church, larger replique of Notre-Dame-du-Port) ; Do not miss Riom , Auvergne's capital in the Middle Age ; Thiers , cutlery center as well as many spas.