History & Civilization
Auvergne was the name of an historically independent county in the center of France, as well as later a province of France. It is the name of the geographical and cultural area that corresponds to the former province. The traditional capital of the province of Auvergne was Riom.
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The Auvergne owes its name to the Gallic people of Arverni, powerful confederation of Gauls whose Vercingetorix was the king at the time of the Roman invasion. His father, Celtillos, was elected to this office before him and he was executed by his comrades for trying to make it hereditary.
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In the 7th century, the Auvergne is disputed between Franks and Aquitains. Conquered by the Carolingians, it is integrated at a time kingdom of Aquitaine. The counts of Auvergne, Guilhemides will slowly gain their independence.
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Soon however, the royal power intervenes in the region. Philippe Auguste attaches the greatest part of the county to the royal domain. The Dukes of Bourbon acquire by marriage the Dauphine of Auvergne, and all their fields are finally confiscated by Francis I (1527).
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In 1790, the historical province was divided into the modern-day departments of Puy-de-Dome, Cantal, Haute-Loire, and Allier, although Haute-Loire and Allier also include some land from the historical provinces of Bourbonnais, Lyonnais and Languedoc.