Update on Les Halles - Richelieu

Following on from our post in March, work is continuing on the upgrading and renovation of the market hall in Richelieu.  The works board is giving the cost at 1,647,000 € and the duration of the works as 12 months.

We think this will make it the largest project in Richelieu for some time... Lets hope there is more to come...

Despite the recent poor weather work has started on the roof timbers. The first sections having been stripped and the work's well under way.

A Question of Balance??

We will continue to follow the works with interest and post updates as the upgrading progresses...

Upgrading of Les Halles - Richelieu

We featured the market hall in Richelieu in a blog in September 2011 and at the time the Abbe Henri Proust had commented on the plans to restore the buildings roof. Well! the upgrading of the building has started but not yet on the roof.

The work so far has been to remove the concrete floor and the side walls.

Looking at the bases of 400 year old timbers they have done incredibly well over the years. I don't think the building will fall down anytime soon! The contractors have also shown respect for the current timber...

We will follow the works with interest and post updates as the upgrading progresses...

Les Halles - Richelieu

Ever since I first came to Richelieu many years ago the vaulted market hall has always been and still remains one of the best timber structures I have seen. Built in the 1600's it is still used today every Monday and Friday for traditional markets and also for other specialist markets throughout the year.

 

 

The Abbé Henri Proust in his blog Eminence Rouge has noted that work on restoration of the roof of Les Halles is to start soon. It will be an interesting set of works to follow. His blog also contains details of other works currently being undertaken in Richelieu.

During the Christmas market last year Les Halles was decorated and full of christmas stalls. It had a great atmosphere for the occasion.

It truly is a magnificent structure and a credit to the tradesmen who built it all those years ago. I wonder if the architects/structural engineers of the day worked out all the beam loadings? It would be an interesting document to read....