About Clermont-Ferrand, France:
Clermont-Ferrand is a university city in central France, bordered by the volcanic Chaîne des Puys mountains. You probably do not think of volcanoes when you think of France, but Clermont-Ferrand is surrounded by the largest chain of dormant volcanoes in Europe (known as the Chaîne des Puys, with the most famous being the Puy de Dôme). Many of its old buildings were built from the volcanic stones as well as the fountains and statues of Place de Jaude square.
La Fontaine d’Urbain II is a small gem in the heart of Clermont-Ferrand, able to combine history, art and atmosphere in a few square meters. Made of dark lava stone, it stands out for its solemn and authentic character.
It was from here that Pope Urban II announced the First Crusade on November 27, 1095, during a speech at the Council of Clermont. Pope Urban II was reacting to the request by Byzantine emperor Alexius I Comnenus who had sent envoys requesting military assistance against the Seljuk Turks. Several accounts of the speech survive; of these, the one by Fulcher of Chartres, who was present at the council, is generally accepted as the most reliable. He called for Christians to go to war against Muslims to reclaim the Holy Land.
Catholic places of interest in Clermont-Ferrand, France:
Basilica Notre-Dame du Port (Basilique Notre-Dame du Port) Our Lady of the Port
Notre dame de l’Assumption (Our Lady of the Assumption) Cathedral