Belle Epoque Market in France

Les Halles Centrales

To all the gourmands out there, I found a perfect gastronomic venue for a meet up in the heart of the coastal town of Les Sables d'Olonne in France.

Imagine a covered market that will transport you to the beautiful gilded age - the Belle Époque era swelling of fresh local produce and wine bars where you can sample fresh oysters with a glass of wine while catching up with friends.  The French really do know how to elevate this mundane task of grocery shopping long before malls existed.   

The upper level is for Bioorganic produce
Marche des Halles Centrales is definitely an emblem of Les Sables d'Olonne. It is a fresh food market built in steel and glass that offers a glimpse into the glory days of the Industrial Revolution. It was inaugurated on February 8, 1890, designed by a Polish architect, Charles Smolski.   
This shopping gallery is situated next to a church.  A century before that, it used to be a church cemetery reserved for noble families. With the arrival of the new train station and railway then, they transformed the urban plans set forth by the mayor to create a food market that would be at the heart of the city center. 


I asked permission from this kind gentleman below if I could take a picture of his bar and cafe because I was amazed that I can satisfy my caffeine craving or enjoy a glass of aperitif here. 


Where is it?

Rue des Halles  85100 Les Sables d'Olonne 



The market is open all year round from Tuesday to Sunday,  8:00 am to 13:00.  During the summer season of July and August, they are open on Mondays too.

Travel Tip:

This area is a pedestrian district explored by walking. Feel free to wander, it's close to Quartier de l'ile Penotte,  the scenic streets with shell murals.  

There are many food markets throughout France and it's always interesting to visit them to find the specialties of the region. 

Up for a market day here?
Love & light,
Arni

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4 comments

  1. Replies
    1. Glad to see that they did a great job in preserving it.

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  2. very beautiful places thanks for sharing this.
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  3. Hello Arni! Your vacation by exploring the market is very unique and very fun. Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge about holidays. Theapartmentscanggu.com

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