- Clermont Ferrand is a cathedral city located on the River Tiretain near a chain of volcanoes in the Massif Central in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Region of Southwestern France.
- During the Gallo-Roman Period it was known as Augustonemetum and later, Arvernis, capital of the Arvernie Gallic Tribe in the Province of Gallia Aquitania.
History
- Strabo (c.64 BCE-c.24 CE) referred to the pre-Roman Oppidum as being called Nemessos, capital of the Arverni.
- The Battle of Gergovia (52 BCE) was fought nearby between Julius Caesar and Vercingetorix (82-46 BCE), who was the Leader of the final resistance to the Romans and born nearby.
- The cathedral was built over the Forum of the Roman city.
- A nearby Volcano known as the Puy de Dome holds the remains of the Temple of Mercury, one of the largest Roman Temples in the Western Empire.
Museums
- Bargoin Museum
- Houses an Archeological section covering the Gallo-Roman Period.
- Archeological Museum of the Battle of Gergovia
- Located at Plateau de Gergovie, 63670 La Roche-Blanche, 5 miles (8.5km) from Clermont Ferrand.
- The Museum contains models and artefacts and houses an audiovisual room recreating the Battle between Vercingetorix and Julius Caesar.
Nearby Roman Sites
- Puy de Dome Roman Temple of Mercury (c. 140 CE)
- Located near the top of the volcano known as the Puy de Dome, are the ruins of one of the largest Roman temples in the western Empire.
Roman Roads
Clermond Ferrand