Covered Market, Metz

Metz Covered Market
Backyard facade of the Metz Covered Market
General information
Architectural style	neo-Classical
Location	Metz, France
Construction started	1785
Inaugurated	1831
Owner	Municipality of Metz
Design and construction
Architect	Jacques-François Blondel, Pierre-Sylvestre Jaunez

The Metz Covered Market (French: Marché Couvert de Metz) is a historic market with permanent stalls and shops in a large covered structure in the historical centre of Metz, capital of the Lorraine region in France.^[1] The Covered Market is one of the oldest, most grandiose in France and is home to traditional local food producers and retailers.^[2][3]

History

Originally built as the bishop's palace, the French Revolution broke out before the Bishop of Metz could move in and the citizens decided to turn it into a food market.^[4]

In 1762, the Bishop of Metz commanded the edification of his palace to Royal architect Jacques-François Blondel.^[5] The project was included in a larger urban renovation in a context of Enlightenment. The works began in 1785, but the French Revolution in 1789 stops the edification the palace. The partial building remained vacant until 1821, when it was bought by the municipality of Metz. Messin architect Pierre-Sylvestre Jaunez reconfigured the edifice in order to install a municipal covered market into its walls,^[6] function that it has kept until today.

Architecture and urbanization

The Metz Covered Market is a neo-Classical, U-shaped building extending over 5,000 m² (54,000 sq ft). It is located in the historical centre of Metz being adjacent to the Metz Cathedral forecourt.^[7] The backyard, the Chamber's Square (French: Place de la Chambre), is surrounded by numerous local food restaurants. Since the 1970s, The basement of the edifice is used as an underground parking lot of 387 parking spaces.^[8]

The market

The Metz Covered Market encompasses over 40 shops. It is home to numerous traders, mostly food retailers, including greengrocers, butchers, cheesemakers, and drug dealers. There are also traditional market shops selling fresh, local food, such as quiche, potée, and Lorrain pâté.^[9][10] Every Saturday morning, the Covered Market is surrounded by a street market hold on the Metz Cathedral forecourt.

Gallery

• 

  View of the Covered Market from the Metz Cathedral forecourt.

• 

  Gallery of the Metz Covered Market.

• 

  Gallery of the Metz Covered Market.

References

1. "Official website of the Metz Covered Market." (in French). Retrieved 3 December 2013.
2. "France Today magazine, Covered Market webpage." (in French). Retrieved 6 May 2012.
3. "Metz Covered Market, Youtube video." (in French). Retrieved 6 May 2012.
4. "Structurae, International Database and Gallery of Structures". Retrieved 6 May 2012.
5. "Structurae, International Database and Gallery of Structures". Retrieved 6 May 2012.
6. "Structurae, Architect data". Retrieved 6 May 2012.
7. "Map of Metz, location of the Covered Market". Retrieved 3 December 2013.
8. "Official website of the Metz municipality, information about the Covered Market parking lot.". Retrieved 3 December 2013. {{fr]}}
9. Sassi, Jacques (2002). La Cuisine, terroir & traditions de Moselle (in French). ISBN 978-2-87692-534-2.
10. "Official Metz tourism website, gourmet webpage.". Retrieved 1 July 2012.

Coordinates: 49°07′12″N 6°10′26″E / 49.1201°N 6.1738°E