Les Halles (Market Halls), Tours
Market Halls (Les Halles) represents a significant historical and gastronomic hub in the heart of Tours. Located on the Place Gaston-Paillhou, the modern structure that stands today is often likened to a white steamship liner due to its distinctive design, featuring steel, plexiglass, and glass. This bustling market space offers a plethora of shopping options including bakeries, butchers, delis, dairies, fruit and vegetable stalls, a wine cellar, and caterers on the ground floor. The top floor houses offices and studios, adding a commercial element to the building.
Market Halls originated in 1866, designed by Gustave Gu茅rin and inspired by Victor Baltard's Paris Halles. Initially located at Place d'Aumont, now Gaston-Paillhou Square, the market expanded after demolishing two churches, Saint-Martin and Saint-Clement. It remained a key food market until its demolition in 1976, three years after losing its wholesale function, a change regretted by the community.
In 1980, the city unveiled a new, modernized building to continue the tradition of the market, enhancing comfort, hygiene, and accessibility with underground parking. Despite some nostalgic sentiments for the old structure, the new building has been embraced for its futuristic aesthetics and its continued role in revitalizing the historic district. It is admired for its innovative design, reminiscent of Paris's Forum des Halles, earning it the nickname "the liner."
Today, Market Halls stands as a vibrant gastronomic center, maintaining its historical essence as a place where locals and visitors alike can find a comprehensive range of fresh products, from breads and pastries to delicatessens and wines, all under one roof. This market not only preserves a 150-year tradition of culinary excellence in Touraine but also serves as a central point for community life and commerce in Tours.
Market Halls originated in 1866, designed by Gustave Gu茅rin and inspired by Victor Baltard's Paris Halles. Initially located at Place d'Aumont, now Gaston-Paillhou Square, the market expanded after demolishing two churches, Saint-Martin and Saint-Clement. It remained a key food market until its demolition in 1976, three years after losing its wholesale function, a change regretted by the community.
In 1980, the city unveiled a new, modernized building to continue the tradition of the market, enhancing comfort, hygiene, and accessibility with underground parking. Despite some nostalgic sentiments for the old structure, the new building has been embraced for its futuristic aesthetics and its continued role in revitalizing the historic district. It is admired for its innovative design, reminiscent of Paris's Forum des Halles, earning it the nickname "the liner."
Today, Market Halls stands as a vibrant gastronomic center, maintaining its historical essence as a place where locals and visitors alike can find a comprehensive range of fresh products, from breads and pastries to delicatessens and wines, all under one roof. This market not only preserves a 150-year tradition of culinary excellence in Touraine but also serves as a central point for community life and commerce in Tours.
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Les Halles (Market Halls) on Map
Sight Name: Les Halles (Market Halls)
Sight Location: Tours, France (See walking tours in Tours)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tours, France (See walking tours in Tours)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tours, France
Create Your Own Walk in Tours
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tours is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tours Introduction Walking Tour
The Roman Emperor Augustus named the city Caesarodunum (Hill of Caesar). But it was always Tours. Caesar left the Tours Ampitheatre, the largest amphitheater of the Empire. It's good to be Caesar.
Tours is located on the River Loire. It stands between Orleans and the Atlantic shore. It is famous for the Battle of Tours in 732 CE when Spanish Moors led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tours is located on the River Loire. It stands between Orleans and the Atlantic shore. It is famous for the Battle of Tours in 732 CE when Spanish Moors led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Historical Churches
The French city of Tours is forever linked to the Battle of Tours, a pivotal event in European history. Taking place in 732 AD, this momentous encounter saw the Frankish leader Charles Martel, a devout Christian, successfully repel a substantial army of Spanish Moors, thus effectively halting the Muslim advance and ensuring the preservation of Christianity throughout Western Europe.
Had it... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Had it... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tours Old Town Walk
Having successfully preserved much of its historic heritage, Tours is particularly famous for its original medieval district 鈥� Vieux Tours. The bulk of it is concentrated around three squares: Place du Grand March茅, Place Plumereau and Place de Chateauneuf.
A stroll through the Old Town, day or night, offers many delights, and is best started at Place Plumereau. Lined with wood-framed,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
A stroll through the Old Town, day or night, offers many delights, and is best started at Place Plumereau. Lined with wood-framed,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles