The Property
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Location
Geography
The Puy de dome lies at the heart of Central France with Clermont Ferrand occupying a unique position at a crossroads linking north and south, east and west.
History
The Puy de dome is the most central of the four departments of The Auvergne Region which was formed in 1790 from the former Province or'Pays'of Auvergne.
The department takes it's name from the large lava Dome Volcano which dominates Clermont-Ferrand, the Modern-Day Capital of the Auvergne. It occupies a position at the North of The Massif Central Region.
The Puy de dome was the site for the famous battle of The Plateau of Gergovie where the Gallic Tribe 'Arveni' which occupied the Auvergne and gave it's name to the region led by their leader Vercingetorix, was defeated by The Romans in 52BC. It has many sites of archeological note, providing evidence of early stone age and Roman occupation including many Dolmen Stones and Cave or Troglodyte dwellings inhabited in Mediaeval Times most notably at Perrier near Issoire and Saint Nectaire.
The main cities and towns of Clermont Ferrand, Riom, Cournon and Thiers are mainly industrial but as such, have excellent road and transport links to other areas of France. The Industrial Heritage of the Puy de dome can be attested to as Clermont Ferrand has been home to the Michelin Company for many years.
Clermont Ferrand was originally two cities which were joined by law in 1630 much to the annoyance of citizens of Montferrand who fought, and lost, for independence on several occasions. The development of The Michelin Company forged stronger links between the two areas but even today the two areas are quite distinct from one another with Montferrand retaining a mediaeval atmosphere with cobbled streets and narrow alleys and Clermont being the centre of commerce and entertainment.
Culture and traditions
The department has a mix of old and new with the mountainous regions holding on fiercely to their traditions and way of life and the Cosmopolitan City of Clermont Ferrand rapidly developing as a centre of art and history, embodying the old but embracing the new with vigour!
In the mountain regions farming and food production such as the famous Saint Nectaire cheese are still carried out in the traditional ways. Auvergne folk dancing is still practiced and is often demonstrated for visitors during the summer months. Many areas still hold traditional fetes or 'Foires' which display and sell regional products in keeping with the seasons.
The traditional Autumn Foires are extremely sociable occasions which go on all weekend with music and dancing and they are often named after the seasonal crops with an abundance of apples, walnuts and many other fruits and vegetables. Some notable Foires are San Saturnin, Neschers, Ludesses and the Summer 'Journees de Saint Nectaire' held over two days in June every year.
Wine is traditionally made from grapes grown on the plains around Clermont Ferrand and many museums show the ways in which the Auvergene Wine Producer has struggled against the elements to produce wines worthy of note such as Cotes d'Auvergne, Saint Pourcain and Cotes de Forez.
Guide to the Puy de Dome
