Vieilles halles
MonumentHidden Treasure
Vieilles halles, located in Le Faouët (Département 56), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Le Faouët, Département 56, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.0326, -3.4894
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00091195
A medieval jewel of Breton framework, the Vieilles Halles du Faouët (Old Market Halls of Le Faouët) boasts three naves of wood and granite in the heart of inland Brittany - a masterpiece of rural architecture listed since 1914.
History
In the heart of the market town of Le Faouët, in deep Morbihan, the Vieilles Halles stands out as one of the most authentic examples of market architecture in inland Brittany. Their familiar silhouette, covered in slate and supported by an oak framework blackened by the centuries, dominates the village square with a quiet majesty that belongs only to truly ancient buildings. Here, there is no grand stonework or ostentatious decoration: the beauty comes from the structure itself, from the implacable logic of the assembled timbers and granite pillars. What makes the halls of Le Faouët truly unique is their organisation into three distinct aisles, a rare feature for a French rural market hall. The central nave, which is the tallest and widest, is supported by two rows of interior half-timbering, the assembly of which testifies to the extraordinary skills of the carpenter. The two side aisles, meanwhile, rest on short pillars of local granite set on a continuous low wall that runs around the building - an elegant compromise between the lightness of wood and the robustness of stone. To visit the Vieilles Halles is to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the old Breton markets, where farmers from the hinterland came to sell their flax, rye and livestock. The central alleyway is extended by two porches with turned-up yokes, opening up the space onto the public square like two welcoming arms. Light filters through the laths and slate tiles, creating a play of light and shade that magnifies the grain of the old oak. The setting of Le Faouët itself invites you to take a stroll: nestling in the Ellé valley, the village is an ideal gateway to the painted chapels of inland Brittany, including the famous Saint-Fiacre and Sainte-Barbe. The covered market is the beating heart of the village, the meeting point around which local life is still organised today.
Architecture
The Vieilles Halles du Faouët is a remarkable example of 17th-century Breton timber-frame architecture, based on a skilful combination of oak and local granite. The rectangular plan is divided into three naves by two rows of panelled posts in the central section, forming as many regular bays as the length of the building allows. This tripartite organisation, inspired by the principle of the ancient basilica adapted to the needs of commerce, is rare in the context of French rural market halls and is in itself a reason for architectural curiosity. The load-bearing structure is based on a dual system: on the inside, half-timbered and pegged timbers support the framework of the central nave, with its joists, puncheons and braces; on the periphery, short cut granite pillars, set on a continuous rubble wall, support the overhangs of the side naves. This low wall, typical of Breton covered market halls, defines the covered area without closing off the view, keeping the building open onto the public square like a large covered courtyard. The central aisle terminates at each end in a porch made of turned-up cross-beams, a system that opens up the nave to the outside while maintaining a continuous roof. The roof, with its pronounced double slope characteristic of the Armorican climate, is covered in local blue slate, whose dark hue contrasts with the grey-beige of the granite pillars and the deep brown of the aged oak. The almost total absence of sculpted ornamentation reinforces the impression of rigour and authenticity: the beauty of Les Vieilles Halles lies in the bare, unadorned structure.
Related Figures
Les charpentiers anonymes du XVIIe siècle ayant conçu et assemblé la charpente à trois nefsLes seigneurs de Rohan, puissante famille bretonne ayant exercé leur autorité sur la région du Faouët à la fin du Moyen ÂgeLes inspecteurs des Monuments Historiques de la Belle Époque ayant instruit le dossier de classement aboutissant au décret de 1914Les marchands de toiles de Bretagne du XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, principaux usagers des halles à l'apogée du commerce textile régional
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vieilles halles located?
Vieilles halles is located in Le Faouët, Département 56 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Vieilles halles built?
Vieilles halles dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Vieilles halles open to visitors?
Vieilles halles is currently closed to visitors.