Town hall of Clermont-Ferrand, town hall in Clermont-Ferrand, France
The hôtel de ville de Clermont-Ferrand is a civic administration building on a central square in this French city. Its straight lines and solid stone construction give it a formal look, while inside, high ceilings and old-style doors hint at its long use for city affairs.
The building replaced old market halls that tradition says were given to the city by Catherine de Médicis in the 16th century. Construction began in the late 1820s under architect Louis-Charles-François Ledru and took decades to finish, with the town hall completed in the 1850s.
In the hall used for receptions, visitors can see a large chandelier and decorated ceilings that frame official gatherings and music events today. A nearby room displays a tapestry of Marianne, the symbol of the republic, based on a drawing by the artist Cocteau.
The square in front offers benches and shade, making it an easy spot to pause while walking through the center. The main entrance opens onto a courtyard with a covered walkway, and elevators help reach the upper floors.
For many years, part of the building served as a courthouse, and the room where marriages are held now was once a courtroom. Below the structure, soft volcanic rock called tuf contains tunnels and caves dug by hand, still present today.
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