Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The covered market of Coulonges-sur-l'Autize, classified as a Historical Monument, was built in two major phases: 1896-1898 and 1901-1902. This project was part of the development of rural villages, with an innovative metal frame for the period, worn by cast iron columns and iron consoles. The facades combine brick, stone and zinc decorative elements, while the gables have a stone gate topped with a clock and a campanile, symbols of modernity and urban centrality.

Between 1903 and 1927, several construction campaigns improved the building: sealing of the cover (1903), cementing of the halls and recasting of the roof (1909), and repairs of zinc and paint (1925-1927). In 1967, a concrete extension was joined to the east, now excluded from heritage protection. The interior is distinguished by its triangulated frame and its double cast iron columns, while the exterior alternates false wrought iron archatures and glass curtains, reflecting the architectural eclecticism of the period.

Designed by architect Mongeaud and engineer Michelin A., this market illustrates the alliance between commercial functionality and aesthetic ambition. Industrial materials (bottom, sheet metal, zinc) coexist with traditional elements such as brick and stone, creating a dialogue between technical innovation and local heritage. Ranked in 1996, it reflects the importance of the halls in the economic structuring of small French cities at the hinge of the 19th and 20th centuries.

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