Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne halls, located in the city centre, were built in the 2nd quarter of the 15th century to replace an old market house. The building, 80 metres long, 20 wide and 10 high, impresses with its 89 oak pillars supporting a monumental structure. Divided into three spans, it evokes a wooden cathedral, a symbol of the commercial prosperity of the medieval city.

In 1670, a fire partially ravaged the halls. Thanks to the generosity of Miss de Montpensier, Countess de Châtillon, the inhabitants rebuilt the building in the same way in 1672, taking the wood from the forest of Tanay, property of the Countess. The halls thus retain their original structure, mixing medieval heritage and 17th century restoration.

Over the centuries, the halls remain a central place in local life. In 1898, the area was cemented and the roof was renovated (flat tiles and glass tiles replacing hollow tiles). Ranked historic monuments in 1988, they still house the Saturday morning market and serve as a refuge for demonstrations in the event of bad weather. Their architecture, combined with the Saint-André church and the nearby half-timbered houses, forms the historic heart of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne.

Owned by the commune, the halls illustrate the evolution of constructive techniques and the role of the halls as a public space persists. Their preservation bears witness to the local attachment to this heritage, both utilitarian and symbolic.

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