Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The hotel in Clermont-Ferrand, built in the 2nd quarter of the 17th century, is an example of civil architecture of this period. Although the details of its original history are scarce, its heritage interest lies in its inner courtyard, where there is a fountain dated 1641. This element, classified as Historical Monument by order of 23 March 1990, is distinguished by its Baroque style and sculptural composition.

The fountain consists of a rectangular basin with curved sides, evoking a baluster band, backed by a decorative elevation. In the centre, a spit mask (today without water) is framed by two ailerons faced with volutes, surmounted by a hanger adorned with a leafy key. This decor, typical of the seventeenth century, reflects the influence of the Italian and French arts in the region.

The precise address of the Hotel, 31 rue des Chaussettetiers, is referenced in the Mérimée database under the code Insee 63113, attached to the department of Puy-de-Dôme. Although the GPS location is approximate (accuracy level: 5/10), the monument remains a testament to the Clermontian urban planning of the modern era. No information is available on its current use (visits, rentals, etc.).

At the time of its construction, Clermont-Ferrand was a dynamic city, marked by its administrative and commercial role in Auvergne. Private hotels, like this one, were often sponsored by bourgeois families or royal officers to assert their status. The inner fountain, a rare element, could symbolize both prestige and a practical function (water supply). These residences also reflected the gradual adoption of classical aesthetic canons, broadcast from Paris and Lyon.

The 17th century in Auvergne was a period of relative stability after religious unrest, with a development of artisanal activities (textile, metallurgy) and a hierarchical social organization. Civil monuments, such as this hotel, served as a framework for social life and local political exchanges. Their preservation today offers an overview of the old regime's domestic architecture in the region.

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