France: Clermont-Ferrand

Clermont-Ferrand is the capital of the French province of Auvergne, sitting in a picturesque location below a mountain range and surrounded by ancient city walls. The old town has over 50 churches with the Cathedrale Notre Dame de l’Assomption and the Basilique Notre Dame du Port being the most prominent and both are part of a UNESCO World Heritage designation for Clermont-Ferrand. The town is also famous for being the place where the idea of crusades was born – proclaimed by Pope Urban II right here in 1095.