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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

La Halle aux Toiles is a medieval hall located in Rouen, Normandy, classified as a historical monument in 1941. It was the southern building of the old halls of the city, of which it is today the only vestige. Its original architecture, marked by concrete vaults added during its reconstruction, makes it a unique testimony to the history of the city of Rouanne.

Almost entirely destroyed in 1944 during the Allied bombings during the "Red Week", the Hall of the Webs was rebuilt identically between 1945 and 1961. Architects Raymond Barbé and Henri Jullien led the works, incorporating modern elements such as the concrete vaults on the floor, while artists such as Maxime Old, Reynold Arnould and Raymond Subes contributed to its furnishings and decors. This project was part of the vast reconstruction effort in Rouen after the Second World War.

The monument, located between Place de la Haute-Veille-Tour and Place de la Basse-Veille-Tour, now houses trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses. Its honorary staircase, decorated with a guardrail signed by Raymond Subes, and its upstairs meeting rooms make it a versatile place. In 2021, she hosted a Covid-19 vaccination centre, illustrating her adaptation to contemporary needs. A historic organ, transferred in 2022 from the Church of Saint-Nicaise, will soon be installed.

The Clothes Hall is also a memorial: a memorial of the victims of the bombings (1940-1944) stands against its western face, at the location of the former Customs hotel. Its addition to historical monuments in 2025 (excluding parts already classified in 1941) strengthens its heritage protection. It symbolizes both Rouen's resilience and its architectural heritage, mixing Middle Ages and modernity.

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