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 Guérin 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.