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Origin and history

The Halle de Songeons is an emblematic monument built between the 17th and 18th centuries, located in the rural village of Songeons, in the department of Oise (Hauts-de-France). This wooden building, open on all sides, rests on poles anchored in blocks of stone, and is covered with a roof in flat four-paned tiles. Originally, this hall served as a covered market place, mainly dedicated to the sale of fabrics and sheets, a major economic activity in Beauvais.

In the 19th century, the hall was partially amputated during the creation of a street leading to the hamlet of Morvillers. It was part of a set of four halls that the village once had: a grain hall, a butter hall, a nail hall, and this main hall. In 1803 Jacques Cambry described the market square as a square of about one arpent, where merchants of sheets, canvases, hardware, butchers and food sellers held. The roof of the hall was restored in 2018, reflecting its continuous maintenance.

Thinkons, where this hall stands, was historically a dynamic place, known for its market authorized by François I in 1526. The commune was also marked by a strong artisanal activity, notably the manufacture of glasses and photographic optics from the 18th century, introduced by Pingard and Deshayes in 1730. This industry continued until the 20th century, leaving a lasting imprint on the local economy. The hall, as a central place of trade, reflects this rich commercial and craft history.

Classified as a historical monument since 1988, the Hall of Songeons is today a remarkable architectural vestige, illustrating the rural and commercial heritage of Picardie. Its wooden architecture, characteristic of the buildings of the time, and its historical role in local economic life make it a key part of the region's heritage. The recent restoration of its roof highlights the commitment of the inhabitants and the authorities to the preservation of this monument.

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