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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Martin-Valmeroux Hall is a local stone building typical of Auvergne rural architecture. Built in the seventeenth century, it is distinguished by its four-paned frame, supported by six square stone pillars. The roof is covered with lauze, a traditional material of the region. The floor, smoothed to compensate for the slope of the square, leads to an attic accessible by an external stone staircase. This attic, illuminated by a dog-sitting, probably served as a storage place for crops or market goods.

A notable feature of this hall is the presence of a carved stone embedded in its base, called "measured stone". It is 1.75 m long, 0.50 m high and 0.85 m deep. It was drilled with three holes in the shape of bowls and was used to measure the grains: the first bowl represented a quarter, the second a half quarter, and the third a quarter. These holes were closed by wooden plugs, indicating its practical use in the daily and commercial life of the village.

Although the hall was dated from the 17th century in some sources, its construction was precisely attested in 1838. It was registered as historic monuments by order of 10 September 1947, thereby recognizing its heritage value. Today, it houses a weekly market on Friday mornings, from June 21 to December 16, perpetuating its central role in local life. The hall, with the Saint-Martin church classified in 1862 and the buildings of the square, forms a coherent and representative architectural ensemble of the Haute-Auvergne.

Located 650 metres above sea level, near the Maronne River, the lobby occupies a central square in the village. Its location and structure reflect the importance of the halls in rural communities, serving as a gathering, trading and storage venue. The hall of Saint-Martin-Valmeroux thus illustrates the adaptation of vernacular constructions to the practical and social needs of the time.

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