Clermont-Ferrand sits on the plain of Limagne in the Massif Central and is surrounded by a major industrial area. The city is famous for the chain of volcanoes, the Chaîne des Puys surrounding it. The famous dormant volcano Puy-de-Dôme (10 km from the city) is one of the highest and
can clearly be seen from the city
Clermont-Ferrand is also famous for hosting one of the world’s leading international festivals for short films, the Festival du Court Metrage de Clermont-Ferrand, as well as the corporate headquarters of Michelin, the global tyre company created more than 100 years ago.
Clermont-Ferrand’s most famous public square is place de Jaude, on which stands a grand statue of Vercingetorix sitting imperiously on a horse and holding a glaive (A long poled sword). The inscription reads: J’ai pris les armes pour la liberté detous (English: I took up arms for the liberty of all). This statue was sculpted by Frédéric Bartholdi, who also created the Statue of Liberty.
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L'Aventure Michelin
L’Aventure Michelin, minutes from the town centre, comprises of a self guided tour covering 2,000 square metres of exhibition space on two levels.Lasting around an hour and a half, the tour presents all aspects of the Michelin group : its history,tyre manufacture andrelated activities and recent events, as well as a glimpses of the future.
The exhibition inculdes many objects from the Michelin Heritage collection, some of them unique or on display for the first time. Around 100 multemedia and interactive screens make the exhibition even more
lively. A large number of 3D animations, many featuring Bibendum, the famed Michelin Man, created especially for L’Aventure Michelin.
Upon arrival in the spacious, brightly lit exhibition hall, visitors are immediately immersed in the history of Michelin, with numbers of important displays including a Bréguet 14 biplane, a Michelin rail car, a
ceramic freize of automobile races from the early 20th century and the Bibendum fountain from the MichelinSports Association swimming pool. These dispalys set the tone, informing visitors that they are about to discover the many facets of Michelin in a fascinating tour.
More information on www.laventure-michelin.com
Vulcania
Vulcania, the “European Park of Volcanism”, is a park with a Volcano theme situated in Saint-Ours-les-Roches, twenty minutes from the centre of Clermont Ferrand.
Vulcania official website – www.vulcania.com
Clermont Ferrand official website – http://www.clermontferrandtourism.com
