Halles Baltard de Niort
A transit and trade area, Niort has been an active trading town since the 12th century thanks to its river port and trade flows with the Atlantic coast.
According to François Rabelais, its medieval covered market remained for a very long time “the most beautiful and most convenient hustle and bustle in the kingdom”.
The halls, a cathedral of cast iron, glass and steel, were built in 1869 in the Baltard style and bear witness to this past magnificence! Its attributes are represented at the entrance by two deities from the Roman pantheon. On the right, the goddess of agriculture Ceres, seated on a cornucopia, carries a sheaf of wheat in her left hand. On the left, the god of commerce Mercury, wearing his winged cap, holds a purse in his left hand.
Today, customers are warmly welcomed by producers, artisans and traders on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, major market days.
According to François Rabelais, its medieval covered market remained for a very long time “the most beautiful and most convenient hustle and bustle in the kingdom”.
The halls, a cathedral of cast iron, glass and steel, were built in 1869 in the Baltard style and bear witness to this past magnificence! Its attributes are represented at the entrance by two deities from the Roman pantheon. On the right, the goddess of agriculture Ceres, seated on a cornucopia, carries a sheaf of wheat in her left hand. On the left, the god of commerce Mercury, wearing his winged cap, holds a purse in his left hand.
Today, customers are warmly welcomed by producers, artisans and traders on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, major market days.
Rankings & Labels
- Listed historic sites and monuments