Place de la Victoire – Victory Square

The place de la Victoire, in Clermont-Ferrand

The place de la Victoire is one of the most important squares of Clermont-Ferrand, that forms the forecourt of the majestic cathedral. The Clermont-Ferrand audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this place laden with history, site of the Roman forum more than two thousand years ago, dominated today by the statue of Pope Urban II, who called the Clermontois to the first crusade in 1095.

History

An emblematic square of the city, the place de la Victoire reveals the magnificent architecture of the cathedral of which it forms the forecourt, which makes it one of the major squares of Clermont-Ferrand. And it deserves this status: more than two thousand years ago, it is here that the Roman forum of the ancient city was held. Over the centuries, it changed name several times. Laid out in its current form after the Revolution, it was first called place Royale, then place Impériale, before receiving in 1918, only a few days after the end of the First World War, the name of place de la Victoire. The great statue that stands in its centre represents Pope Urban II, who called in 1095 the inhabitants of Clermont to leave on crusade to reopen the road of the Holy Land. This symbolic statue was inaugurated on the occasion of the eight hundredth anniversary of this call, facing the majestic cathedral. Surrounded by bars and restaurants, the place de la Victoire is today one of the liveliest of the city.

What to see

Here you discover one of the major squares of Clermont-Ferrand, forecourt of the cathedral and site of the former Roman forum; over the centuries place Royale then Impériale, it took the name of place de la Victoire in 1918, and bears in its centre the statue of Pope Urban II, who called for the first crusade in 1095. Lively with bars and restaurants, the place de la Victoire is a heart of the city. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The place de la Victoire forms the forecourt of the cathedral, in the heart of the historic centre of Clermont-Ferrand, reachable on foot. It is a square in free access, lined with bars and restaurants, that you discover during a walk in the centre.

Why does the place de la Victoire of Clermont-Ferrand bear this name?

Because it received this name in 1918, only a few days after the end of the First World War; laid out after the Revolution, it had first been called place Royale then place Impériale. Site of the former Roman forum and forecourt of the cathedral, it bears in its centre the statue of Pope Urban II, who called the Clermontois to the first crusade in 1095.

Where is the place de la Victoire in Clermont-Ferrand?

In the heart of the historic centre of Clermont-Ferrand, forming the forecourt of the cathedral, in France.