Clermont Ferrand

Clermont-Ferrand, the capital of the department of Puy-de-Dome, France, is situated at the foot of the volcanic mountains, of which the peak of Puy-de-Dome is the centre, and between the rivers Bedal and Allier. The town of Clermont proper is connected with that of Montferrand by a long avenue of trees. Owing to the dark basaltic stone used for building purposes the narrow, crooked streets are somewhat gloomy. The cathedral, dating from the 13th century, is a fine but incomplete specimen of Gothic architecture. The church of Notre-Dame-du-Port is still older, parts of it going back to 870. The town possesses a university academy, a fine library, museums of natural history and antiquities, good public squares, and monuments to Pascal and Dessaix, who with Gregory of Tours were natives of the place. In the suburb of St. Allyre there is a curious petrifying spring. The chief manufactures are woollen and linen fabrics, silk stockings, cutlery and jewellery. A large trade in agricultural products is done in the markets. Clermont was the chief town of the Arverni in Roman times, and throughout the Middle Ages retained considerable importance, having been the scene of seven ecclesiastical councils.