View of the Cathedral Towers, Clermont-Ferrand

The view of the cathedral towers, in Clermont-Ferrand

The rue des Gras offers the finest view of the two black towers of the cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand, that soar towards the sky. The Clermont-Ferrand audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this emblematic artery of the historic centre, lined with shops installed in old houses, and the hôtel Fontfreyde, a Renaissance jewel with a spiral staircase become a centre of photography.

History

The rue des Gras, in which you find yourself, is doubtless the most representative of the Clermont historic centre. Lined with shops installed in the old houses of the city, it offers a superb perspective on the two black towers of the cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand, that rise towards the sky on nearly one hundred metres of height. It is the ideal place to seize the most symbolic photo of the city. By advancing a little in the street, on the left, at number thirty-four, a building with red doors attracts the attention: it is the hôtel Fontfreyde, whose name figures on the façade. Classified as a Historic Monument, it dates from the sixteenth century. By passing in front then turning left in the little rue Saint-Pierre, you discover it better: a building of Volvic stone, it reveals an impressive spiral staircase surmounted by a turret, a fine example of Renaissance architecture having preserved some medieval traits. It bears the name of the family for which it was built and shelters today a centre of photography, where are exhibited contemporary and original works.

What to see

Here you enjoy, from the rue des Gras, the finest view of the two black towers of the cathedral, nearly one hundred metres high, the most symbolic photo of Clermont-Ferrand; this street lined with shops in old houses also shelters the hôtel Fontfreyde, a Renaissance jewel of the sixteenth century with a spiral staircase, become a centre of photography. The view of the towers is a must of the city. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The view of the cathedral towers is admired from the rue des Gras, in the historic centre of Clermont-Ferrand, reachable on foot; the hôtel Fontfreyde is at number thirty-four. It is a route in free access in the public space; the conditions of access to the centre of photography vary. You discover it during a walk in the centre.

From where to admire the towers of the cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand?

From the rue des Gras, the most representative of the historic centre: lined with shops in old houses, it offers a superb perspective on the two black towers of the cathedral, nearly one hundred metres high; there is also found the hôtel Fontfreyde, a Renaissance jewel of the sixteenth century with a spiral staircase, become a centre of photography.