CLERMONT-FERRAND

Many a long year ago, when I was a poverty-stricken student, we linguists were all sent off to spend a year as English Assistants in the country of our chosen language. I chose to go to Clermont because it is in the very middle of France. I failed to realise that this meant a continental climate, with temperatures of 40° in Summer and -30° in winter. Nevertheless, it was a happy year and I met my first wife there, so I have fond memories.

​

I'm not sure that in those days I could afford to shop at La Ruche Trianon, but I certainly admired its 1902 exterior.

​

I paid a return visit to Clermont in, I think, 1988, so the few photos I have are somewhat faded. You can see them at

https://www.franceinpictures.com/
clermontferrand.htm

 

The bloke on the horse is Vercingetorix, who defeated the Romans at Gergovia, near Clermont, only to be squashed later at Alesia.