Hôtel de Chazerat, Private mansion in Clermont-Ferrand, France
Hôtel de Chazerat is a private mansion on Rue Pascal in Clermont-Ferrand, France, built from local volcanic stone in a balanced Louis XVI style. Its symmetrical front has ornate window frames and a grand entrance, while an oval courtyard with columns and a small terrace overlooks a modest garden.
Built between 1760 and 1769, the mansion replaced an earlier residence and was sold as national property during the French Revolution before being used as city offices. It later served as a bishop's home, a wartime hospital, and a university faculty until the regional cultural affairs department moved in after restoration.
The oval courtyard with its columns and iron railings was the main reception space, where carriages once circled before stopping at the front door. Inside, a main hall with gold and white decoration and plaster medallions showing the four seasons offers a clear look at the tastes of local elites.
Wear comfortable shoes because the courtyard and nearby streets have uneven paving that can be tiring to walk on for a long time. Since the building still houses administrative offices, check locally whether interior access is limited to guided visits before planning your time.
Horse sculptures still stand near the entrance to the former stables, a detail most passersby miss because they focus on the main façade. The use of volcanic stone from the nearby Chaîne des Puys also links the building directly to the region's geologic past.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
