LES HALLES DE SAINT-NAZAIRE (MARCHÉ COUVERT)

Built between 1956 and 1958, the covered market halls in Saint-Nazaire are one of the key monuments of the town's post-World War II reconstruction period.

Saint-Nazaire's covered market, which was under construction in 1939, never saw the light of day. Construction was halted when war broke out, and was seriously damaged by bombing in 1942, before finally being destroyed in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Architect Claude Dommée, who was in charge of the project, was nevertheless appointed in 1952 to propose a new project as part of the town's reconstruction, of which the new market was one of the priorities.

Inaugurated in 1958 in the presence of the President of the Conseil Economique, the new Saint-Nazaire market is an architectural feat typical of the Reconstruction period. Composed of 16 reinforced concrete and glazed sheds (a succession of gabled roofs with different pitches), the design produced single-span vaults of up to 45 metres. The interior surface area then exceeds 4,000 m2 and the roof 6,000 m2. The glazed sheds provide plenty of light, and reflected light is diffused through the inside of the sails.

35 shops surround the market, which includes various sales stalls and large islands covering an area of 900 m2 located in the centre of the covered market. The northern part, with its simple stalls, is dedicated to the sale of fish, while the southern part is reserved for butchers and charcuterie.

The covered market halls in Saint-Nazaire have been awarded the "Remarkable Contemporary Architecture" label by the French Ministry of Culture (formerly known as 20th Century Heritage).

Tours of the covered market are offered from time to time by Saint-Nazaire Renversante. Find out more on the dedicated website.

The market takes place every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Food traders:
Winter: 7.30am - 12.30pm on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays | 7.30am - 1pm on Sundays
Summer: 7.30am - 1pm on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays | 7.30am - 1.30pm on Sundays

Retailers
*Not present on Tuesdays and during the winter period

Winter: 9am - 12.30pm Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 8.30am | 1pm Sunday
Summer: 8am - 1pm on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 8.30am - 1.30pm on Sundays