halles

Halles is a French term that generally refers to public market halls or covered markets. In urban planning and toponymy, halles often denote the buildings that housed wholesale or retail markets, as well as the surrounding districts that grew up around them. The word can be used descriptively in French to describe similar structures in various cities.

Les Halles, Paris, is the most famous historical example. It began as a market complex near the city center and became a major hub for fruit, vegetables, meat, and other goods. In the 20th century its market activities declined, and the site was redeveloped into a modern shopping and transport district known as Forum des Halles. The area around the former market retains the name Les Halles and remains a central reference point in central Paris, including the Châtelet–Les Halles transport hub.

Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse are another well-known set of market halls, located in Lyon. Opened in the 1970s and named after the celebrated chef Paul Bocuse, the indoor market is renowned for its range of fresh produce, prepared foods, and culinary specialties. It is a major destination for both locals and visitors seeking high-quality ingredients.

Beyond Paris and Lyon, the term halles appears in other French cities to describe historic or still-operational market halls and in literary contexts, notably in Émile Zola’s novels set in the markets of Paris. The plural form halles also exists in ordinary French usage to indicate multiple market halls.