The Halles de Niort, located at heart of the city, are a historical and cultural gem. These market halls are the essential meeting place for locals and visitors. Offering a authentic atmosphere, they house colorful stalls where the local producers offer a variety of fresh products and regional specialties. The Halles of Niort are a true testimony of history and the wealth of Destination Niort – Marais Poitevin.
The history of the Halles de Niort
The first Halles de Niort, rue Victor Hugo
It all begins Rue Victor Hugo, in full Niort city center. It is at this location that the first Halles were built to 13th and restored at 14th century. To imagine the surface area of the latter, it is enough to follow the black paving stones placed on the ground. They suggest the location of the wooden posts of the time. The surface area of the latter was in line with the importance of the city at the time. These first Halles were deconstructed during the French Revolution in 1793.
The second Halles de Niort, rue Brisson
The city was without Halles for 9 years. This is 1802 that the new Halles were built on rue Brisson, in the same place as the current Halles. But the latter were in operation for a short time, around sixty years. They will be destroyed due, among other things, to the unsanitary conditions of the premises.
The Halles de Niort today
It was between 1867 and 1871 that the Halles de Niort as we know them today saw the light of day. At the time, the engineer Simon Durand was inspired by Baltard style pavilions which filled “the belly of Paris”.
The architect Victor Baltard is the creator of the Halles centrales in Paris. Made of cast iron, glass and steel, it was quite rare and innovative at the time due to the use of these modern materials. Everything has been thought of in the creation of these. Humidity conditions were also at the heart of the reflection because of the proximity of the Sèvre Niortaise. This is why that they were erected on 12 meter stilts. The Halles consist of 3 very distinct parts:
The Stone Halls
Formerly, they housed the trade in wheat and flour. Today they are occupied by businesses.
The metal halls
They sheltered the fish, meat, fruit and vegetable stalls, just like today!
The aisles
This part was built much later, around 1929.
On the market side, temple of gastronomy
Welcome to this gastronomic paradise, a place where the senses are awakened!
The market for Halles de Niort is a va real treasure in terms of gastronomy. As soon as we enter this place steeped in history, a symphony of scents, colors and sounds unfolds before our amazed eyes. The stalls are full of fresh and authentic products, revealing the passion of local producers.
Listen to Alexandra tell you about these, his favorite meeting place "To consume without moderation" :
Opening days and times of the Halles de Niort market:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | 5h to 13h | 6h to 13h | 5h to 13h | 6h to 13h | 4h to 13h | 7h to 13h |
| Closed | X | X | Main market day* | X | Main market day* | Main market day* |
→ The Halles market is taking place every day of the week (except Monday). find 60 traders inside Les Halles.
→ *The main market days are Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Find in addition to the traders inside the Halles, more than thirty traders outside, on the forecourt of Les Halles and on the Place du Donjon.
Erwan goes to market in Niort
Erwan Botrel, better known as “At Erwan’s” on various social networks, did us the honor of coming to spend a gastronomic weekend in Destination Niort – Marais Poitevin. Erwan is well known for his dual role as a restaurateur but also as a content creator. He was the owner of the restaurant “Chez Erwan” in Bourdonné and is also a popular figure on social networks thanks to his videos which highlight local gastronomy combining tradition and modernity throughout France.
On occasion, he came to survey the Halles de Niort in the company of Luc Maillard, former great restaurateur and lover of iconic plant du Marais Poitevin, the angelic. We let you discover…
