Royan Central Market, the kingdom of joviality

  1950s modernist and futuristic architecture for the time!

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Royan central market: one of the emblematic buildings of the city.

On the ocean side, it is the excitement on the beaches of Grande Conche , Pigeonnier or Foncillon … On the city side, Royan immerses us in the 1950s with its modernist , joyful and radiant seaside architecture . Characteristic of this bold architecture, the shell-shaped Central Market is one of the emblematic monuments of the city. Built from 1955 on the plans of the architects Louis Simon and André Morisseau, in collaboration with the engineer René Sarger, this original building succeeds a covered market which was totally destroyed during the bombing of the city in 1945. With a built vault of a thin 7 cm thick concrete veil, it was considered an architectural feat at the time and served as a model for the construction of the Defense CNIT and inspiration for the circus of Bucharest! At the top of this dome classified as a historic monument since 2002, a series of openings allows the market to be lit thanks to a set of glass bricks that reflect the light.

Wearing a mandatory mask until further notice!

Pleasure for the eyes and the taste buds!

A place of bubbling life, pleasures and good humor, the Royannais praise its friendly atmosphere and the quality of its stalls. And for good reason. The stands are full of beautiful products! Inside the covered market, nearly 80 artisans of the mouth give you an appointment for mornings full of flavor: butchers, delicatessens, cheese dairies, fishmongers, oyster farmers, poultry farmers, caterers, wine merchants guarantee you freshness and quality ... As in all the self-respecting port cities of the Atlantic coast, the fish and seafood from the auction of Royan are the undisputed stars, but you will also find a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables and other local products. And that's not all ! Nearly 30 exhibitors are scattered outside the halls for our greatest pleasure: florists, stands of clothing, jewelry and spices complete the food offer. You will understand, you will not return empty handed. Its particular architecture, a sort of spacious and lighted bubble, without pillar inside, contributes to the jovial, colorful and good-natured atmosphere that reigns there. People come naturally to do their shopping but also to snack , chat and take the pulse of the neighborhood between two alleys. In short, a real village atmosphere .

Outside the covered market

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Practical information:

Following the COVID 19 pandemic, wearing a mask is compulsory inside the covered market until further notice.

Opening hours :

* Food market under the covered halls:

- From the 1st Monday in July to the last Monday in August: every day from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

- From September to the end of June: Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

* Fairground market - outside the central market : Wednesdays and Sundays, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Photos and article by Lesley Williamson.

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