Les Halles de Cozes

The Halles de Cozes date from the 15th century. The covered market has been listed as a historical monument since September 1938, XNUMX.

Since the Middle Ages, the halls, a ventilated and structured building, have housed fairs and markets.
Several halls have followed one another at this location. The current building, dating mostly from the XNUMXth century, still houses markets every Wednesday (and Saturday).

The building has a basilica plan divided into 3 naves.
Imposing pillars of stone and oak, forming 3 bays, support a vast roof covered with tiles. The wooden pillars are from the XNUMXth century, on a foundation from the XNUMXth century. The structural elements are from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.

The halls belonged to the notables of the city, to the lord or the prior, who derived significant income from them. Residents wishing to sell their products there had to pay a "placing" and "display" fee. Foreigners wishing to trade there had to pay a higher tax.

After the disappearance of the seigniorial rights, the halls, stalls or benches, become by irrevocable concession, the personal property of the traders. The latter occupy them or rent them to non-sedentary merchants.

From 1810, the municipality of Cozes will manifest its intention to become the owner of the halls and all the commercial sites. By deliberation of the Municipal Council, on February 26, 1815, the municipality acquired the building. In 1820, an ordinance from the King authorized him to appropriate all the pitches in return for compensation paid to the owners, corresponding to ten times the amount of the annual rent.

The building was listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments on September 15, 1938.

Location details