Clermont-Ferrand
[key], city, capital of Puy-de-Dôme 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.
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