{"id":10462,"date":"2020-04-22T12:12:36","date_gmt":"2020-04-22T10:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/francevisiting.com\/?p=10462"},"modified":"2021-09-02T12:39:30","modified_gmt":"2021-09-02T10:39:30","slug":"clermont-ferrand-auvergne-michelin-marq-oceania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/22\/clermont-ferrand-auvergne-michelin-marq-oceania\/","title":{"rendered":"An Oceania immersion into Clermont-Ferrand, the Auvergne capital city, its Michelin jewels and so much MARQ more\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clermont-Ferrand is a recent city, born from the union, back in the seventeenth century, of two former rival cities, Clermont and Montferrand. The city of Augustonemetum<\/em> appeared after the disappearance of the Arverne Nemossos<\/em> metropolis. Firstly, it took the name of Arvernis<\/em>, then switching to Clermont. At the beginning of the twelfth century, the Counts of Auvergne founded the competing city of Montferrand. In 1630, Louis XIII imposed, by the Troyes’ Edict, the unification of the two neighboring cities. This union would be reaffirmed by Louis XV in 1731. <\/strong>By Alex Plato<\/em><\/p>\n

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\"\" \"\"\"\"A city built on an industrial tradition, Clermont-Ferrand<\/strong> hosts one of the world’s two largest tire manufacturers (Michelin<\/strong> of course), this Auvergne<\/strong> region’s capital city is also well positioned in the pharmaceutical<\/strong>, agri-food<\/strong> and aerospace<\/strong> industries. Moreover, it hosts three competitiveness clusters. The city is also located at the foot of the Limagne<\/strong> fault and the dizzy Chain of Puys<\/strong>, natural site inscribed since July 2018 as “high place tectonic” in the UNESCO<\/strong> World Heritage list. The main Place de Jaude<\/strong> often wears colorful clothes, according to each period of the year (photo credits: Alex Plato).<\/p>\n

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\"\"In order to make your journey in Auvergne<\/strong> more comfortable and purple, why don’t you opt for the 4star Oceania Hotel<\/strong><\/a>? Located straight in the city center, a stone’s throw from this illustrious main Place de Jaude <\/strong>and 10 minutes from the train station<\/strong>, this hotel<\/strong> belongs to a family hospitality<\/strong> chain created in Brest<\/strong> 45 years ago. The attentive team welcomes you in a pure contemporary<\/strong> style, inside a recently renovated<\/strong> edifice, adorned with a pretty warm design (photo credits: Oceania<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Thanks to this ideal situation, you would have the choice to visit the historic center<\/strong> or to relax in their wellness area<\/strong>, where you could enjoy some pleasant relaxing moments and thus hopefully recharge your batteries. Otherwise, to pursue your health program, the fitness room<\/strong> remains at your disposal, nearby the hot tub<\/strong>, the hammam<\/strong> with copper notes, and potential massages<\/strong> provided by wellness<\/strong> specialists, to calm you down after a hard session… Those body cares are lavished the spa<\/strong> area, specially designed for you. Take some time for yourself!<\/p>\n

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\"\"Furthermore, some their renovated rooms<\/strong> offer a very beautiful panorama<\/strong> above the famous Auvergne<\/strong> mountains, where you may have a unique chance to admire some natural vestiges<\/em><\/strong> from the millennia past. A real invitation you to poetry<\/strong> and the stimulation of your imagination<\/strong>, comfortably seated in front of your window, enjoy this incredible scenery<\/strong> that awaits you since centuries<\/strong>…  Moreover, these rooms hold bathrooms, equipped with large walk-in<\/strong> showers and even in the suites<\/strong>, you would find a spa bath<\/strong>. Adding to this, families<\/strong> may also count on the availability of adjoining rooms<\/strong> and some family suites<\/strong>, especially dedicated to enhance your family<\/strong> experience. Regarding the gastronomy assets, we invite you to have a tour at the ground floor colorful bar<\/strong>, bordered by a beautiful marine aquarium<\/strong> and the next cozy restaurant<\/strong>, offering regional<\/strong> cuisine, to discover for the first time or with a different glance, possibly on the terrace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In case of a corporate<\/strong> venue, 5 modular and daylight reception<\/strong> rooms wait for you and your 200 guests<\/strong> to accommodate.<\/p>\n

Oceania Hotel<\/strong><\/a> – 82, Boulevard Fran\u00e7ois Mitterrand, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand (France) – Phone : 00 33 (0)4 73 29 59 59<\/p>\n

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\"\"Not so far away, why don’t you discover L’Aventure Michelin<\/strong><\/em><\/a> museum? A must see in Clermont-Ferrand<\/strong>! This cultural center would learn you more about the rich History<\/strong> of this famous tyre<\/strong> saga, initiated by the Michelin<\/strong><\/a> brothers since their beginnings, in their hometown. On a large surface of 2000m2 full of interactive surprises, many focuses on this illustrious caoutchouc<\/strong> and rubbered<\/strong> manufacture, from the homemade Micheline<\/strong> auto-rail wagon (picture below) to the latest technologies. Also note the communication efforts paid by the firm to propose a huge choice of merchandising goodies<\/strong>, also available in the present souvenir store<\/strong>, around the big Bibendum<\/strong> mascot, among other real sized attractions.<\/p>\n

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\"\"For your information, the Michelin<\/strong><\/a> brothers were real visionary characters. Benefiting from the boost of an upcoming Industrial Revolution<\/strong>, a period where the technical inspiration never stopped. That’s why, these clever Michelin<\/strong> brothers decided to fully participate in this development, already in 1891 when they stood at the rendez-vous<\/em> for the first cycle<\/strong> tires but they eventually quickly switched to automobile<\/strong>. At the time, the automobile<\/strong> was totally handcrafted and thus was necessary to wait a long time before getting his vehicle<\/strong>. However, the Michelin<\/strong> brothers didn’t have time to wait and they built in 1895, their own first equipped \u00c9clair<\/strong> car, furnished with a rubbered air inflated tyre<\/strong>. This competition device<\/strong> was luckily selected in the first ever automobile race<\/strong>, in the World, baptized Paris-Bordeaux-Paris<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Although, many contemporaries didn’t even believe a thing about those innovations, the two Auvergnat<\/strong><\/em> siblings achieved this improbable race<\/strong>, whereas many competitors gave it up.<\/p>\n

\"\"Through this performance, an entire tire<\/strong> story had just begun, and then went growing in scale. Indeed in 1899, a vehicle<\/strong> was able to overtake the symbolic 100 km\/h speed limit. By an irony of history, the medical profession<\/strong> thought this emerging industry was dangerous. Unless that in less than 10 years, the Michelin<\/strong><\/a> brothers had to adapt from a bicycle<\/strong> tires to the conception of car<\/strong> tires, suitable to rather consequent powerful engines<\/strong>, proof an incredible spirit of innovation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

More than this, the family affair also knew how to observe things, analyze them and accordingly customize its services. For instance, in the 1910s, the Michelin<\/strong> brothers opted to carve their tires<\/strong>. Willing, in the meantime, to leave a trace on the roads, they drew the M<\/strong> initial for Michelin<\/strong>, on the tires<\/strong>‘ surface. A smart decision, especially once they observed during the verification tests, that this sculpture may gain more adhesion.<\/p>\n

Based on this statement, multiple attempts were therefore proceeded, and thus from an initial marketing idea, the Michelin<\/strong> brothers ended up with a huge technological<\/strong> innovation, to provide more safety.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"Celebrating 120th years of innovation and success, on the occasion of this anniversary, the Michelin<\/strong><\/a> group took the decision to open the doors of L’Aventure Michelin<\/em><\/strong>. An interactive ensemble<\/strong> dedicated to the history and memory of this emblematic company, was then inaugurated in a modern installation, located a few steps away to the mythical homonym Marcel Michelin<\/strong><\/a> stadium.<\/p>\n

In an other point of view, it’s not a surprise that, like many other big firms, the preservation of a certain historical heritage<\/strong> has always been a major concern for Michelin<\/strong>. By the way, already in the 1930s, Marcel Michelin<\/strong> conserved all kinds of past testimonials<\/strong>, in its research laboratories. This philosophy lead, until 2005, to a first Michelin<\/strong> corporate museum<\/strong>, whose access was only restricted to the house’s employees, customers and sometimes important partners.<\/p>\n

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\"\"\"\"Confronted with a serious problem of update its buildings, up to the contemporary standards and as a part of the heritage enhancement policy, \u00c9douard Michelin<\/strong> decided to transform the museum<\/strong>, while rethinking its environment, contents and its operating strategy<\/strong>. Beyond the concern for the archives<\/strong> preservation, the alternative goal was to give a substantial meaning to this investment, by promoting the group’s legacy and especially by sharing it, in the most proper way. The industrial site of Cataroux<\/strong>, in Clermont-Ferrand<\/strong> was the more suitable and then chosen.<\/p>\n

Finally, on the glorious date of January 27th, 2009, after a huge inventory<\/strong>, digitization<\/strong> and documents<\/strong> securings operated efforts, L’Aventure Michelin<\/em><\/strong><\/a> center was inaugurated. We invite you to explore in video<\/strong>, these technological products evolutions, beyond their fundamental know-how<\/strong>, plus the Michelin<\/strong>‘s social policy, if you mind!<\/p>\n

L’Aventure Michelin<\/a> <\/em><\/strong>– Usine Michelin de Cataroux<\/strong> – Adress : 32 Rue du Clos Four, 63100 Clermont-Ferrand (France) – Phone : 00 33 (0)4 73 98 60 60. Timetables and fares, to consult here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n