Travel Guide Travel Guide to the countries of the world
This post is also available in:
Italiano 
Español
Clermont-Ferrand, the capital city of the Auvergne region, is located in central France, in the Massif Central area at about 400 meters above sea level. The city is surrounded by the volcanic chain of the Puys (Chaîne des Puys), among these, the most famous volcano is the Puy-de-Dôme (1,465 meters). Clermont-Ferrand is classified as a city of art (Ville d’Art et d’Histoire), it has a beautiful historic center with some interesting religious buildings, among which two stand out: the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame du Port, built between the 11th and 12th centuries, and the Gothic cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption), from the 13th century. A characteristic of the ancient buildings in the historic center of Clermont-Ferrand is that they were built using lava stone, so they generally have a black color like the towers that rise above the city’s cathedral. The Clermont-Ferrand Christmas Market is the most important event of the Christmas period in this Auvergne city.
CLERMONT-FERRAND CHRISTMAS MARKET
1) Clermont-Ferrand Christmas Market (Marché de Noël). The market usually fills the very central place de la Victoire at the foot of the Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral and consists of about 70 wooden houses where you will find Christmas decorations, handicrafts, toys and culinary specialities. Along the streets of the center of Clermont-Ferrand there will be stilt walkers, fire eaters, and lots of games for children. Every year there are new features, in the latest editions there were Santa Claus’s mailbox, little trains on which to get on and go around the city, and a large Ferris wheel. The city is generally illuminated and decorated with 16 km of garlands and lights. Visit Clermont-Ferrand during the holiday season to find out what’s new this year!
