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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The halls of Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine originated in the 15th century, under the impulse of Aymar III of the Rochefoucauld, although an earlier construction was not excluded. Destroyed, they were rebuilt in the second half of the seventeenth century (circa 1672) by Anne de Rohan-Guéméné, widow of Louis VIII de Rohan, who became its sole owner after 1667. The architect Charles Estevou directs the works, building a building 50 meters long organized in three naves, equipped with a salt attic and an adjoining prison. The west and south doors, decorated with coats of arms and pediments, were inscribed in the Historical Monuments in 1936, followed by the entire building in 1942.

In modern times, the halls were a major economic hub for the seigneurie. Nine annual fairs and three weekly markets (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) are held, producing cereals, textiles and livestock. The display and toll charges, which vary according to the goods, feed seigneurial incomes. The salt attic, capable of storing 30 tons a year, serves 24 surrounding parishes. In 1719, Charles III of Rohan gave up adjacent lands to build annexes (prettory, jail), while the halls also housed reserves of straw and wood.

The French Revolution marked a turning point: the halls, well national, were sold to the Hospital of Tours in 1794, then ceded to the commune in 1814 for 7,000 francs. In the 19th century, major changes took place: demolition of the salt attic (to illuminate the interior), repair of the roof (1870), and drilling of bays on the north facade (1866) during the reconstruction of the neighbouring town hall. During the Franco-German War (1870-1871), the building served as barracks for Prussian troops. In the 20th century, the halls hosted a presidential reception in 1912 (Armand Fallières) and were requisitioned by the German army in 1940 for car repairs.

The architecture of the halls reflects their dual commercial and seigneurial function. The two monumental gates, classified, once bore the coat of arms of the Rohan (now staked). A Latin inscription on the western door famous Anne de Rohan. The frame, characteristic of the covered markets of the period, supports three distinct roofs. Subsequent developments (North Marquise, Paving) meet the evolving needs of the city. Today, the halls still house the Friday morning market and serve as a festive hall, perpetuating their central role in local life.

Historical sources, including the works of Jean-Jacques Bourassé (1856) and the archives of the Société archéologique de Touraine, highlight the importance of the halls in the tourist trade network. Located on an old track between Châtellerault and Loches, they symbolize the link between seigneurial power (neighbor castle) and commercial activities. Their preservation, despite revolutionary hazards and conflicts, illustrates their anchoring in the heritage Centre-Val de Loire.

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