Les Halles de Gemeaux

To encourage local life, the Sire de Neufchastel, Lord of Gemeaux, asked Charles VIII, King of France, for permission to build covered market halls, which was granted in 1491. The building consisted of an open central nave, flanked by two aisles. The north aisle disappeared in the 19th century, but the central part remains with its superb oak framework, which was strong enough to support a "lava" roof. The halls now house the town hall, which was once used as a hop drying shed. This remarkable building was almost destroyed several times. It was used for fairs, rulings and justice.