Hôtel de Ville

Not a hotel, although it wouldn't be a bad place to stay. It's the town hall of Clermont-Ferrand, and the town graciously invited our students and faculty for a tour.  This building is located on land deeded to the city by Catherine de Medici; the actual building wasn't constructed until the early 1800s. 

Exterior of a courtroom in which one of the members of the Vichy government was convicted after World War II

Salle des Mariages - The Marriage Room

The walls and ceiling of Le Salle des Mariages are painted in trompe l'oeil showing the city of Clermont-Ferrand and symbols of marriage ...

... like doves ...

... and a dog.

Courtyard in the middle of the town hall

Meeting room of the city council.  The students enjoyed sitting in the official chairs.

In this room, the vice-mayor of Clermont-Ferrand welcomed us and invited us to share in a "glass of friendship."  Those glasses were filled with champagne.

The city is very welcoming - not just for us, but for the thousands of foreign students who study here every year.  Many of the French students who study here also go abroad for a year or more.  One of the French students in this year's program will be joining us in Jacksonville in the fall (following in the footsteps of Benoit Leblond, who spent a year at Florida Coastal and is now back in Clermont-Ferrand - it's nice to see another familiar face!)

One more week of lectures, then one week of exams ... then more traveling!  Bonne journée!