LES HALLES

Centre of commercial life, this building was built by decision of Duke Henry of Lorraine (23 June 1614), replacing wooden halls, which made the Duke specify to build "in good materials with strong use of ashlar for embellishment". Jean La Hire, architect, author of the fortifications of Nancy, designed the new building, the construction of which lasted until 1617. On the ground floor was the grain trade, the room on the first floor being reserved for the clothmakers, tanners and tanneries. In the course of the century, the building suffered from various wars, but was always repaired. A very busy public place, the perimeter of Les Halles was elected to receive the lantern (1668), then the weather vane and the wooden horse to publicly expose criminals and adulterous women. In 1860, the west façade was modified by adding an openwork ashlar balustrade in interlacing patterns. At that time, the room on the first floor was used for public meetings and banquets. Later, it was used as an auction room. On the east facade of Les Halles, note the shield with the first coat of arms of Mirecourt "Vert (green) with a fess Or".