Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

La Halle de Thémines, located in the Lot department in Occitanie, is a historic monument classified since February 28, 1951. This square-plan building, measuring about 8 metres in length, is based on four corner pillars and eight monolithic intermediate pillars, some potentially dating back to the 15th century. Its oak frame, typical of Quercy, supports a shale lauze cover, elements redone over the centuries. The hall, similar to that of Beauregard (dated 1604), was saved from demolition in 1952 before being restored in 1985.

Originally, the hall served as a place of exchange and trade for the local community, as evidenced by the stone base in the northeast corner, formerly intended for grain measurements. Its architecture, with a scratched roof and coyals, reflects the region's traditional constructive techniques. The Bahut walls, with three entrances, define a covered area characteristic of medieval and modern halls, adapted to rural needs.

Listed among historical monuments, the Hall of Themines embodies the vernacular heritage of Quercy. Its preservation in the twentieth century, despite threats of destruction, underscores its cultural and architectural importance. Today, it remains a testimony of the commercial and social practices of the seventeenth and fifteenth centuries in this rural area of Occitanie.

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