Clermont, a student-friendly city
One of the main sources of Clermont-Ferrand’s vitality is its student population. In 2022, the city was home to 42,500 students. This steadily growing community represents just over one in four residents in the city itself and one in seven across the wider metropolitan area—Clermont-Ferrand has officially held metropolitan status since 2018.
And where would we be without rankings to guide our choices? In L’Étudiant’s ranking of the best cities in France for students, Clermont-Ferrand ranked 8th out of 46 cities in 2023–2024. According to students already living in Clermont-Ferrand, the city ranked 10th, with a recommendation rate of 95.12%!
One of the undeniable advantages of student life in Clermont-Ferrand is its relatively affordable cost of living. Housing costs are among the lowest of France’s major student cities: Clermont-Ferrand ranked ninth in Les Échos Start’s list of the most affordable student cities. The city also offers a wide range of accommodation. Students can apply for the “Cité Jeunes” card, which provides significant discounts on local cultural activities. At the beginning of each academic year, the city also organises “Clermont-Ferrand fête ses étudiants”, a week-long festival inviting students to discover everything the city has to offer—with Clermont School of Business naturally taking part.
Talking about the region also means highlighting its economy. Clermont-Ferrand is the only French city outside Paris to host the headquarters of a CAC 40 company: Michelin—one of the School’s partners, of course! The local industrial ecosystem extends well beyond the tyre manufacturer, with major companies such as Constellium and logistics platforms operated by DB Schenker. The region is also home to leading businesses across a wide range of sectors, including Limagrain, Volvic, Laboratoires Théa and La Montagne, as well as a thriving network of SMEs and microbusinesses. To give just one example, Auvergne had no fewer than 60 microbreweries in 2020! The technology sector is equally dynamic, with companies such as CGI and Almerys, alongside the development of a new digital district connected to Clermont Auvergne French Tech. In short, the local economy is remarkably diverse.
Finally, Clermont-Ferrand’s central location places the city less than two hours from Lyon by car, three hours from Paris by train, and three hours from Bordeaux or Montpellier by car. Clermont-Ferrand also enjoys international connections through Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport.
