Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Halle aux laines de Montrésor is a 17th century building located in the centre of the village, close to the castle. Built to house the fabric market, it played a key role in the local wool industry, especially for wool carding, an essential step in the manufacture of sheets. The attic was used as a storage place for fabrics, while the ground floor was used for commercial transactions and parish fairs.

The textile industry of Montrésor was up again in the Middle Ages, thanks to the rolling mills installed on the Indrois, which produced sheets and serges. In the 19th century, this industry occupied up to 150 workers, some of whom worked directly in the hall for cardage, often made with locally grown thistles. The hall thus symbolized the economic dynamism of the village, linked to the transformation of wool into fabrics.

Ranked a historic monument in 1926, the hall today retains a dual vocation: its ground floor houses a seasonal market, while the floor presents exhibitions on local history and wool industry. Its architecture, marked by oak poles and a stonework frame, reflects traditional construction techniques. The Mansart roof, covered with slates and tiles, as well as the skylights, recall its past use of fabric storage.

The hall is distinguished by its rectangular structure open on three sides, divided into two naves supported by reinforced poles. The curved esseliers, simulating broken arches, and the mansarded central corridor illustrate a preserved craftsmanship. The lateral clearances of the attic, formerly dedicated to wool, bear witness to the spatial organization linked to commercial activity. Today, the monument remains a living place, mixing heritage and contemporary use.

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