Arrondissements of the Puy-de-Dôme department facts for kids

France is divided into smaller areas called departments. These departments are then split into even smaller parts called arrondissements. You can think of an arrondissement like a district or a borough in a big city.

The main town of an arrondissement is called a subprefecture. If the department's main city (called the prefecture) is inside an arrondissement, then that city also acts as the subprefecture for that arrondissement.

Arrondissements are further divided into even smaller areas called communes. These are like local towns or villages. The Puy-de-Dôme department has 5 arrondissements.

Map showing the arrondissements of Puy-de-Dôme, in red, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Here are the 5 arrondissements of Puy-de-Dôme:

History of Puy-de-Dôme Arrondissements

The way the Puy-de-Dôme department is divided has changed over time. Here's a quick look at its history:

Early Divisions in 1790

• In 1790, the Puy-de-Dôme department was first created.
• It had eight main districts at that time.
• These districts were Ambert, Besse, Billom, Clermont-Ferrand, Issoire, Montaigu, Riom, and Thiers.
• Clermont-Ferrand was chosen as the capital city.

Arrondissements Formed in 1800

• By the year 1800, the districts were reorganized.
• They became the arrondissements we know today.
• The new arrondissements were Ambert, Clermont-Ferrand, Issoire, Riom, and Thiers.

Changes in the 20th Century

• In 1926, the arrondissement of Ambert was removed.
• However, in 1942, Ambert was brought back.
• It became an arrondissement of the department once again.

See Also

• Arrondissement of Ambert
• Arrondissement of Clermont-Ferrand
• Arrondissement of Issoire
• Arrondissement of Riom
• Arrondissement of Thiers
• List of arrondissements of France

Images for kids

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  Map of arrondissements of the Puy-de-Dôme department.