Commentry is a French commune. It is in the Allier department in the center of France. Today, about 6500 people live in the city. The city developed, because of the coal reserves that were found nearby. After the Second World War, a chemical industry developed. The other pillar of the industry was a steel mill, which is also in the city. In 1882, the first socialist mayor of France is elected in Commentry, Christophe Thivrier. In 1902, the Socialist Party of France was founded in Commentry. The city of COmmentry only lies 8 km from the geographical center of France itself.