Clermont-Ferrand Historic District

The historic district, in Clermont-Ferrand

The historic district of Clermont-Ferrand extends around the knoll crowned by the cathedral, in alleys nearly two thousand years old. The Clermont-Ferrand audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this ancient heart born in the Gallo-Roman era under the name of Augustonemetum, and the singular history of a city born from the union, in the eighteenth century, of two long-rival cities: Clermont and Montferrand.

History

Here you are in the heart of one of the two historic districts of Clermont-Ferrand, the one that extends around the knoll on which the cathedral is installed. Why "one of the two"? Because there is also the district of Montferrand, in the north-east, with its alleys and its medieval buildings. Indeed, until the eighteenth century, Clermont-Ferrand did not exist: there was on one side the city of Clermont, on the other that of Montferrand, totally independent and yet rivals. The district where we find ourselves is much older: its streets have nearly two thousand years of history and go back to the Gallo-Roman era, when the city of Clermont was called Augustonemetum, in reference to Augustus, first Roman emperor. Montferrand, for its part, was built in the twelfth century by the counts of Auvergne. It is in the eighteenth century that King Louis XV officially decided their union, to put an end to the conflicts: the city then became Clermont-Ferrand. Vestiges of a rich medieval past, the streets, houses and monuments of the old centre give it an authentic charm. Its exceptional setting, in the heart of the regional park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne, makes it an unmissable city, between cultural visits and natural discoveries.

What to see

Here you wander in the ancient heart of Clermont-Ferrand, around the knoll of the cathedral, in streets nearly two thousand years old born in the Gallo-Roman era under the name of Augustonemetum; this district tells the story of a city born in the eighteenth century from the union of Clermont and Montferrand, long rivals. The historic district offers an authentic charm. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The historic district extends around the knoll of the cathedral, in the heart of Clermont-Ferrand, reachable on foot; the district of Montferrand is in the north-east. It is a sector in free access, made of alleys and old monuments, that you discover during a walk in the centre.

Why is the city called Clermont-Ferrand?

Because it was born, in the eighteenth century, from the union of two long-rival cities: Clermont, of Gallo-Roman origin and formerly named Augustonemetum, and Montferrand, built in the twelfth century by the counts of Auvergne; it is King Louis XV who officially decided their reunion to put an end to their conflicts.

Where is the historic district of Clermont-Ferrand?

Around the knoll of the cathedral, in the heart of Clermont-Ferrand, in France.