Clermont-Ferrand is a historic city near the alleged site of a Gallic battle led by Vercingetorix against the Romans Julius Caesar. It has a lot of well-preserved monuments and interesting museums, in its vicinity it is the land of extinct volcanoes of the Central Massif.
The city was founded in the first half of the 17th century by joining two centers. Clermont is considered one of the oldest cities in France. It was here, during the synod of 1095, that the organization of the first crusade to the Holy Land was announced. It is also assumed that a great battle between the Gauls and the Romans took place near the city. It is recalled by the Monument to Vercingetorix standing in the city.
The biggest attraction and landmark of Clermont-Ferrand is the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built of black volcanic stone. The gothic building towers over the much lower buildings and is visible from a distance. There are also other monuments within the center, such as the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port, the Church of Saint-Pierre-de-Minimes or the building of the Theater and Opera in Clermont-Ferrand.
The city's advantage is its numerous interesting museums. The most important of these include the Michelin Adventures (L'Aventure Michelin), a museum dedicated to the history of the tire factory, the Roger Quilliot Art Museum, the ASM Experience science center, the Hanri Lacoq Museum and the Bargoin Museum. The parks here, including the Charme Botanical Garden, Lecoq Garden and Montjuzet Park, are great places to walk.
The Clermont-Ferrand area is very picturesque. They are formed by the ranges of extinct volcanoes of the Central Massif, including the famous Puy de Dome. A dozen or so kilometers from the city there is the Vulcania theme park devoted to volcanic phenomena.
