This listed 16th-century mansion is a photographic center owned by the city of Clermont-Ferrand. It offers 4 to 5 original exhibitions a year. It also hosts the city’s annual photography residency.
The Centre Photograpghique Located in the city center, the Hôtel Fontfreyde is a former private mansion, a jewel of Renaissance architecture. Classified as a historic monument, it has been home to the Clermont Photographic Center since 2010. The artistic program features four exhibitions a year. It focuses on contemporary photography(…)
The Centre Photograpghique Located in the city center, the Hôtel Fontfreyde is a former private mansion, a jewel of Renaissance architecture. Classified as a historic monument, it has been home to the Clermont Photographic Center since 2010. The artistic program features four exhibitions a year. It focuses on contemporary photography and questions the different statuses of the image, while regularly leaving a place for historical photography.
A 16th-century private mansion The Hôtel Fontfreyde is a 16th-century mansion that has been transformed into a center dedicated to photography. The artistic program features four exhibitions a year. It focuses on contemporary photography and questions the different statuses of the image, while regularly giving space to historical photography. This listed building is Renaissance in style. Shortly before 1578, the Fontfreyde family converted a mansion built in the early 16th century by the Coustave family. A handsome spiral staircase leads from the inner courtyard to both floors. The building’s layout follows the medieval model of a main building on the street and galleries on the courtyard. The façade on Rue des Gras was modified during an alignment in the 18th century. The first level opens with a basket-handle arch and a semicircular arch, framed by Doric pilasters. The galleries and courtyard facade feature a second-Renaissance style, with superimposed antique orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) taken from architectural treatises.
Soft mobility : C-Vélo station 300m away. Streetcar line A, “Jaude” or “Gaillard” stop 250m away. City bus lines E7 and P34, “Gaillard” stop 250m away. Jaude and Saint-Pierre parking lots 250m away.
Opening hours
From 01/01 to 31/12 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 1.30 pm and 7 pm. Closed exceptionally on January 1st, Feast of the Ascension, May 1st, November 1st and December 25th. Open all year round. Tuesday to Saturday, 1 :30 pm to 7 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. Exceptional closures on January 1, May 1 and December 25. And according to exhibition program.
Prices and payment methods
Free of charge. A free guided tour is organized on the 1st Wednesday and 1st Saturday of the month.
Free for groups from Clermont Auvergne Métropole
– 37.50 € for groups from outside Clermont Auvergne Métropole.
Comfort, facilities and services
Temporary exhibition
Themed tour
Tour free of charge
Tourist information
Pets welcome
No dogs allowed
Location
Environnements
Town location, Close to a public transportation, Pedestrian area, Bus stop < 500 m, Tram station < 500 m, In the historic centre
Accès
T2C, Gaillard stop 250 m away, Tram A, bus 5, 32, C-Vélo station. Jaude stop 400 meters away, Tram A, bus lines B, C, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 27 and c-vélo station. Jaude stop 600 meters away, Tram A, bus lines B, C, 9, 10 and c-vélo station. Gaillard stop, 500 m, Tram A, lines 5, 32 and c-bike station.
Fontfreyde Hotel 34 rue des Gras 63000 Clermont-Ferrand
Photo credits : Ville de Clermont – Direction de la communication, Hôtel Fontfreyde / Centre photographique, Hôtel Fontfreyde / Centre photographique, Clermont Auvergne Tourisme, Ville de Clermont – Direction de la communication
Updated on 28 May 2026 by Clermont Auvergne Volcans