Hôtel de Malras, Private mansion in Aurillac, France

The Hôtel de Malras is a 17th-century private mansion in Aurillac, listed as a monument historique inscrit. Its carved stone portal is the main surviving feature of the original building. The house now holds the city's administrative services, and its facade still shows the arrangement of the former residence.

The building was constructed in the 17th century as a private residence for the Malras family and remained a landmark for generations. Over time it was repurposed as the city's new town hall, a change that shaped its role for centuries to come.

The rooms contain portraits of notable figures from the region, painted by artists like Eloi Chapsal, showing who mattered to this community. These works give you a sense of the people who shaped Aurillac.

The mansion stands on a street in central Aurillac, and its carved 17th-century portal is visible from the pavement at any hour. As the seat of the city administration, the interior is not open to casual visitors; ask at the reception desk about access. Weekday office hours are the only time to try.

Inside the building sits a collection of classified historical furniture preserved alongside the portraits. These carefully maintained pieces show how the rooms originally looked and give a sense of the family's private life within these walls.