Experience in Clermont-Ferrand, France by Geoffrey

What is it like to live in Clermont-Ferrand? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

It's really great city, where there's everything you need in the center of it, you can travel easily all around the city. I would totally recommend it

What is the student lifestyle like in Clermont-Ferrand?

Really great, there's much bars and a spot called "Place de la Victoire" surrounded by bars, it's where every students party gather around this place. It's a city with lots of students and lot's of activities organized by students associations.

How much does it cost to live in Clermont-Ferrand?

As a native from France, and with some researches i've done, Clermont-ferrand is a kinda cheap city compared to others cities in france (way cheaper than paris for exemple). You can find a appartment for 1 person for 350-400€ per month, public transport subscription is like 20€ for a month, and you can find 50cl beer in bars for around 4€.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Clermont-Ferrand? Is there any advice you can give?

Not at all, you can find accomodation in different ways. You can find with an agency, but it's not free, and you can also find with different websites where you can find accomodation without adding fees (leboncoin, bienici, seloger.com,...)

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Food is awesome with lots of variety. You can find lots of restaurants of specialities from the region (based on dishes with lots of cheese and potatoes, you have to try the "Truffade"). There's also many burger restaurants with special burgers made with cheese from the region that are delicious. And of course there is all well known fast food Mcdonalds, dominos pizza, burger king etc,... (you should try "Quick" it's the direct opponent of Mcdo in france, and I personnally prefer it over Mcdo)

What places would you recommend visiting in Clermont-Ferrand?

You will always be moving around the city center with the "Place de jaude", you shoukd also go to the cathedral which is in the "place de la victoire" where you can find all the bars, it's a really beautifull place. There's also the "Jardin Lecoq" a parc where you can sit on the grass and have a walk in the sun.

Is it good to eat out in Clermont-Ferrand? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes it's really good, my favourite spots are "Burger de papa", "Bougnat burguer", "Numéro 3" italian specialities, "le comptoir" with auvergne specialities,...

Is the nightlife good in Clermont-Ferrand? Where is good to go?

Nightlife is very good in Clermont-Ferrand, with Tuesday nights where all the students go out, and you can cross the path of lots of them during the night. My favourite places to start parties are in the "Place de la victoire" which is always full of students, then "Hacienda café", "Bar des beaux arts", and finally the Clubs I used to go were "Le Baraka", Them's, Middle, but i don't know if those places will open again

What advice would you give future students heading to Clermont-Ferrand?

You have to visist and go hiking around the city, there are free busses to acces the Puy de Dôme from Clermont, many lakes and hiking spot.
Otherwise in the city you have to try different bars to find the ones that suits you the most, but for parties Place de la Victoire is the best to start your night and to encounter students.
You should also walk around the cathedrale which is the center of the "old town" of Clermont-Ferrand with little path around the buildings it's really nice to walk around there.
Have fun there because the city is really nice for students