Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The central halls of Dijon were built between 1873 and 1875 to replace the ancient Jacobin convent, dating from the 13th century, and its church. This municipal project, launched in 1868, aimed to create a modern covered market. The initial plans, drawn up by the architect of the city, were finalized in 1869 by the engineer Louis-Clément Weinberger. The construction was entrusted to Fourchambault's Foundries and Construction Workshops, specialized in metal structures.

The building, with a surface of 4,400 m2 and 13 meters high, is organized around four pavilions and two main cross paths. It houses 246 shops, 14 annexes and 728 benches. Its architecture combines arcades, canned columns adorned with vine pamps, and scabs carved with animal motifs (deer, wild boar, poultry) or symbolic (Ceres for harvest, Hermes for trade). The roof is inspired directly by the halls of Paris, marking a desire to align with the urban standards of the time.

Classified as historical monuments in 1975, the halls remain a living place, open on market mornings (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday). Their immediate environment, rich in restaurants and coffee terraces, makes it an animated hub of the city centre. The space of FRAC Burgundy, located nearby, strengthens their cultural anchor. Their preservation reflects the heritage importance of 19th-century utility buildings, combining functionality and industrial aesthetics.

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