Boulingrin covered market

The Halles du Boulingrin, a concrete feat in the heart of Reims

With its half-cylinder outline, the covered market of the Halles du Boulingrin intrigues from the first glance. This astonishing building houses the gastronomic hall of Reims, where producers and artisans set the tone of the Champagne terroir. The Reims audio-guided tour stops here to reveal an architectural boldness born from the city's reconstruction after the Great War.

A masterpiece of the 1920s

It was following an architecture competition launched in 1922 that the Halles came into being five years later. They are the work of architect Emile Maigrot and engineer Eugène Freyssinet, a pioneer of reinforced concrete. For their time, the materials and techniques used were cutting-edge: the thin concrete vault, set on broad arches, reflects a then-revolutionary mastery, which today earns the building heritage recognition.

What to see

People come to the Halles for the atmosphere of a real covered market, but also to look up at the great pale vault, surprisingly thin for its span. The space hosts the traders' stalls and, several times a year, special events that bring together many exhibitors. It is a lively stop where twentieth-century architecture dialogues with the flavours of Champagne.

Practical information

The Halles du Boulingrin stand on the northern edge of the centre of Reims, reachable on foot. The covered market is held several days a week, mainly in the morning: as days and opening hours may change, it is best to check them before coming. Entry to the market is free and the building, on the level, is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

Who built the Halles du Boulingrin?

Born of a 1922 competition, they were built five years later by architect Emile Maigrot and engineer Eugène Freyssinet, a pioneer of reinforced concrete.

What are the Halles used for today?

They house the covered market of Reims, with its producers and artisans, and also host several gastronomic events a year, in a remarkable architectural setting.