The Clisson market dates back to the origins of the city.
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The market hall (or market halls) occupies the city center: it extends from the Rue St Jacques to the southern end the Place Notre Dame.
Dated until then of the fifteenth century, they would actually be older and date from the previous century. Indeed, the last date-dating operation of the felling of the wood occurred in 2016 gives the date of 1376/77. The halls are erected on the market square attested here since guillaume de Clisson in the thirteenth century.
On this site, the market of Clisson, established by the lords of the place, next to their castle, has always taken place. The idea was to bring the business into the city to make it prosperous and to increase their own income, through levies on the sale of food.
This hall consists of 3 different wood species: oak, chestnut, fir.
It consists of a large nave between two aisles.
The vast, irregular roof is supported by wooden posts and covered with slate.
Before 1790, the market hall was the traditional place of the market and also served as a branch for churches too small to accommodate the faithful on large religious feasts. In the time of Lent and missions, the preachers speak to the faithful gathered under the hall, where for this purpose a pulpit is laid out. At the bottom of the hall is the Audience or Chamber of Civil Justice.
The hall is spared the various fires linked to the Vendée Wars. Indeed, the hall is the only place where an army can lodge: so the Republicans and the Royalists take care to keep it intact. It is one of the only buildings preserved during the Vendée Wars.
Nevertheless, the general state of disrepair of neighbouring buildings, after the conflicts, made the hall much more fragile. Among other things, the roof is fearful of hurricanes. Its consolidation is a priority for merchants and residents.
Between 1796 and 1800, the municipal budget was almost entirely devoted to the restoration of the hall. According to some, the hall would no longer have any elements prior to the eighteenth century given its restorations.
In the 19th century (1819), the municipality represented by J.Gautret acquired this hall:
In 1821-22, the southern side of the hall, looking towards the castle, was enlarged, taking up the Italian architectural repertoire (open attic, fitted brick arches, etc.).
A plan of 1866 indicates that the two buildings are accompanied by a gallery of 11 square pillars. Its function is unknown and its disappearance remains unexplained.
Before becoming an art gallery and the Tourist Office of the Clisson Valley, these 2 buildings housed a cooperage and a fishmonger.