Visit of ancient Clermont-Ferrand, following in Pascal's footsteps
On the eighteenth of June 2010, we visited old places in Clermont-Ferrand.
First, we visited Notre-Dame du Port basilica, which was built in the sixth century.
The main part of this church is an example of Romanesque architecture. It is made of fair stones from Montpeyroux but the spire is black since it’s made of volcanic rocks.
The first crusade, launched by Pope Urban II, started next to the cathedral. The statues which stand above the entrance were beheaded by people during the French revolution.
We then walked along Blaise Pascal street, where the hotels “Grandseigne” and “Chazerat” can be found.
Close to the cathedral, we saw the place where Blaise Pascal’s house used to stand until the beginning of the twentieth century when it was demolished.
After that, we carried out the experience which was made by Florin Périer, at Pascal’s request. While we were still at the bottom of the cathedral, we measured the pressure with a mercury barometer. It was equal to 725 millimetres.
After having climbed 250 steps, we saw it was equal to 721 millimetres at the top of the building.
We moved on to the “Place de Jaude”. Périer also measured the pressure at the “Couvent des Minimes” which has now become a bank. There, we found out the pressure was 730 millimetres of mercury.
Martin and Matthieu with the mercury barometer – Place de Jaude
This experience thus led us to the conclusion that the atmospheric pressure varied with the altitude.
We ended up our tour in front of the building which used to be the “Collège des Jésuites” and then the former “Lycée Blaise Pascal”.
Aude Bachelard – Thomas Goujat-Gouttequillet
2de 4 – 2009/2010
Teacher : Anne- Marie Verdier