Laissac Market Hall

Laissac Market Hall isn’t just a place to buy food — it’s a true snapshot of local life in Montpellier. Located in the heart of the city, this lively spot has been closely tied to the neighbourhood for over 140 years. It all began in 1850, when locals demanded a proper covered market. The city finally answered in 1876, and by 1880, Mayor Alexandre Laissac inaugurated the original cast-iron market hall. Fast forward to the 1960s: the old hall was replaced by a modern circular building, complete with a multi-storey car park. But its concrete-heavy design was so unpopular that locals dubbed it “the architectural wart.” It was demolished in 2016, making way for the current Halles Laissac, opened in 2018. Bright, spacious and inspired by the classic glass-and-iron Baltard style, this updated version is both a nod to the past and a fresh new chapter. Today, 24 stallholders welcome shoppers daily with fresh, high-quality products, all under a stunning dome designed by Korean artist Mona Young-Eun Kim — a playful structure that locals say resembles a sliced melon. With its warm atmosphere, Mediterranean flavours, and friendly voices echoing between the stalls, Laissac Market is where Montpellier’s true spirit comes alive.