A Photographer’s Lifestyle Guide to Clermont-Ferrand, France
Clermont-Ferrand is a singular city in the heart of France that offers a perfect blend of urban charm and mountainous landscapes. From its vibrant cultural life, remarkable historical heritage to its exceptional living conditions surrounded by nature, this city will suit everyone’s needs and desires.
One of the city’s oldest streets, Rue des Gras links the bustling Place de Jaude to the cathedral. Lined with shops and local restaurants, it’s the perfect place for a photowalk and and to soak in daily life. Photo by lry12
32 Rue des Gras, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Parc Montjuzet, the biggest park in the city, offers both natural respite and an overview of Clermont-Ferrand. Spread out a picnic blanket or wander with your LomoApparat to capture the panoramic view of the city. Photo by untel
Rue du Parc de Montjuzet, 63100 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Widely considered as the landmark of the city, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is an architectural marvel built from black lava stone. With its vibrant stained glass windows and its twin spires piercing the sky, this Gothic cathedral makes an ideal subject to experiment with multiple exposures and a splitzer. Photo by pierredeschamps
Pl. de la Victoire, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
L’imaginarium is a small analogue photography store where you can find Lomography products, and pick up second-hand cameras. There’s also an exhibition room where you can admire inspiring works from local and visiting photographers. Photo by lry12
9 Rue Terrasse, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
If your weekend plans are open and you’re a bargain hunter, head to Le marché aux puces des Salins. Located in the heart of the city, this bustling flea market opens every Sunday morning for vintage lovers. Come early for the best chance to uncover rare gems – you might even spot a film camera waiting for a second life. Photo by pierredeschamps
Place Gambetta, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, FranceThe Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival is the second largest in France after Cannes in terms of audience and professional attendance. With around a hundred films from all over the world and a wide range of programs to suit every taste, it’s a true cinematic celebration. Screenings take place at 15 different venues across the city – perfect for wandering, shooting, and discovering your next favorite short.
At over 1,400 meters tall and topped with a signature antenna, Le Puy-de-Dôme is hard to miss – in fact, it’s visible right from the city center. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2018, it’s one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the Auvergne region. Whether you hike for an hour or two, or hop on the 15-minute train ride, the view from the summit is always worth it. Grab your Sprocket Rocket and shoot the sweeping panoramic views. Photo by Iry12
Puy de Dôme, 63870 Orcines, FranceHeld in late June, Europavox is the ultimate destination for music lovers with a diverse lineup of artists and styles from across the continent. It’s the kind of event where you can dance, connect, and make some unforgettable memories – be sure to bring as many film rolls to capture the electric atmosphere.
Space Invaders – does the name ring a bell? Even if not, you might have seen his pixel-like mosaic tiles peeking out from walls across the city. Created by the French artist Invader, these playful street art pieces are inspired by retro video games and now appear in cities around the world. In Clermont-Ferrand alone, there are 31 hidden mosaics, including a huge portrait of Serge Gainsbourg smoking a cigarette. Some are obvious, others not so much – so keep your eyes peeled while you wander. Need help tracking them down? There’s even an app called Flashinvaders to guide your hunt. Photo by pierredeschamps
Have you ever wanted to explore a new city and find all the best hidden locations and hotspots to feed your analogue passion? Well, we’re here to help you! We’ve pulled together some of our Community’s most loved museums, meeting places, photography spots, and must-visit processing labs and shops in Turin to give you the perfect guide to this great city through the eyes of an analogue enthusiast. All these recommendations have been approved and verified by Lomographers. Cover photo by
Museums, Art, Photography and Culture in Clermont-Ferrand
We’ve curated a list of our favorite museums, art galleries and cultural landmarks in Clermont-Ferrand to give you an exhaustive guide to the best creative hot-spots to visit on your trip.
CGR Les Ambiances
Cinema-goers and lovers of original productions will adore this spot. Located right in the city center, CGR Les Ambiances is the place to feed your artistic soul with independent and foreign films that are often hard to find elsewhere.
Le FRAC Auvergne
If you’re looking to soak up some culture at no cost, Le FRAC Auvergne is the place to go. Admission is completely free, and the contemporary art collection is sure to spark some inspiration for creative minds.
La Coopérative de Mai
Known as the cultural music venue of the city, La Coopérative de Mai welcomes artists of international renown. With a rich and diverse program throughout the year, there’s something for everyone. To capture amazing shots in a low-light, don’t forget to bring your Lomography Color Negative 35 mm ISO 800.
L’Opéra-Théâtre
Not into modern tunes? This opera theater offers a more classical experience, both musically and visually. Let yourself be swept away by the grand architecture and elegant interior – and don’t forget to take a few photos while you’re there!
British Book Club Bar
The BBC is a cozy bar on a quiet street just a little outside the city center. Come for the comforting pub food, stay for the friendly crowd and welcoming owner, and let yourself be part of the pleasant weekly events.
Baraka Jeux
Have you kept your inner child and playful spirit? Baraka Jeux is full of board games and like-minded people. Bring your friends or family, pick a game, and be ready to capture some candid photos – guaranteed to make you laugh!
Street Photography & Lomography Film Community Scene in Clermont-Ferrand
The wealth of knowledge and experience that comes from the Lomography Community is simply unrivaled. In this section we share some of our Community’s top tips about the city of Clermont-Ferrand. This includes their favorite locations for visiting and photographing, and some invaluable tips on shooting in analogue. We will also showcase some of our most inspiring Clermont-Ferrand-based LomoHomes and Partners.
La Place de Jaude
La Place de Jaude is the city’s famous meeting spot. Lined with bars, hotels, and overlooked by a statue of the Celtic chief Vercingétorix, this major square plays host to a variety of seasonal attractions. Come winter, you’ll find a Christmas market and a towering Ferris wheel; in summer, temporary gardens brighten the space. A wide-angle lens is your best bet to capture the full atmosphere.
La Place de la Victoire
Alongside La Place de Jaude, La Place de la Victoire is one of Clermont-Ferrand’s most iconic squares. While Jaude is the go-to spot to start a city outing, La Victoire is where you settle in. With its variety of cafés and restaurants, it’s perfect for a relaxed family meal or drinks with friends.
Street art: Les Space Invaders
One of our favorite ways to feel like a kid again? Hunt for mosaics by the artist Invader scattered around the city. Think of it as a real-world Pokémon hunt – but the real-life aspect here makes it more enjoyable.
Le Jardin Lecoq
Right in the city center, Le Jardin Lecoq is a green oasis to unwind in. Grab your Simple Use LomoChrome Purple and wander through after a long shopping session, or plan a longer stay by the pond. In summer, take advantage of the extended opening hours to organize picnic evenings.
Anything missing?
Got a favorite photo gallery, hidden photo spot or local tip we haven’t covered in this city guide? Help us make this the best analogue travel companion! Send your suggestions to travel@lomography.com and we’ll take a look.
Tips from the Lomography School
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Will X-ray machines at airports ruin my film?
Traditional x-ray machines are unlikely to affect film of ISO 800 and lower. However, the new and more powerful CT scanners can damage any and all film. We recommend always asking to have your film inspected manually.
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What type of film camera is best for street photography?
Any film camera can be used for street photography and can give you excellent results. However the most popular are automatic point-and-shoots cameras.
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Which Lomography cameras are recommended for Landscape Photography?
Glass-lens and wide-angle film cameras are great options for capturing landscape photographs.
Lomographers from Clermont-Ferrand
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pierredeschamps
2,486 Photos · joined 2013-05-24
Hello, Photographe amateur j'habite dans la belle région Auvergne, en France. Mes thèmes de prédilection sont la street photo et le paysage. J'adore tester plein d'appareils et de pellicules. …
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ncarl
705 Photos · joined 2018-07-09
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolascarletta/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolascarletta/
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tannarelli
630 Photos · joined 2016-09-28
Returning to film photography since several years, I like taking pictures of nature. - 1950's Adox Golf (used with TriX 400) - 1976 Minox 35 EL (mainly used with Lomography color 400 ISO), - 19 …
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magcanut
506 Photos · joined 2018-01-29
LomoFan ! J'ai découvert Lomography avec mon Diana mini et maintenant je suis addicted : Lomo' Instant, Sprocket Rocket et mon petit dernier l'Instant Square. Il y en a toujours un qui m'accompa …
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maximegobet
119 Photos · joined 2015-07-03
Hi ! I'm an analog photographer from France. I definitely stopped using digital when I bought my tenth camera with less money than I needed for my single digital camera. I really like mistreat f …
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rocklea
420 Photos · joined 2011-11-06
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aloysiavantodd
149 Photos · joined 2018-10-20
Passionate self-taught.
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lougrammatico
59 Photos · joined 2022-05-04
Insta: @lougrammatico Canon eos 50/ Canon EX EE/Olympus zoom az-1
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wolfesperger
57 Photos · joined 2018-01-01
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Where to Develop Film and Buy Analogue Cameras in Clermont-Ferrand
L'imaginarium du Photographe
9 Rue Terrasse, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France Show on Google Maps
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