Lourdes Market Halls

The heart of Lourdes beats to the rhythm of its markets beneath Les Halles. A treasure trove of culinary delights whose history dates back to the late 19th century, in the ‘Pink City’: Toulouse!

Designed by André Denat, a pupil of Victor Baltard, they adorned the new Place Esquirol in Toulouse during the 1891 World’s Fair and were dismantled shortly afterwards in 1892.

With Place Marcadal dedicated to foodstuffs, Place du Champ Commun was already a hub for fairs and trade. It was Jean-Marie Lacrampe, the city’s architect, who oversaw the reconstruction of the market halls and their distinctive Lourde-style makeover.

Completed in 1895, the building is divided into two by a covered passageway. Whilst the eastern section is dedicated to the market, the western section has had several uses. Originally a warehouse for the fire brigade, it now houses the Media Centre, which opened in 2007.

Whether sweet or savoury, every stall invites you to explore. At the fishmongers’, take the time to discover Pyrenean trout and its unexpected variations. At the butchers’ and delicatessens, iconic products take centre stage, such asBarèges lamb, theunmissable duck andtheexceptional Bigorre Black Pig…

At the market gardeners’ stalls, discover the mild flavour ofTrébons onions and Tarbais beans, which go perfectly with Pyrenean lamb and, of course, garbure.

Cheese merchants will be delighted to introduce you to fabulous products such as Tomme des Pyrénées and all its variations made from sheep’s, cow’s, goat’s and mixed milk. In season, greuil – the Pyrenean cousin of ricotta – and the fragrant summer mountain cheeses will be a real treat.

A detour to the patisseries is a must, where you can discover the famousgâteau à la broche, a festive pastry from the Pyrenees. Unless, of course, you’re tempted bya Pyrenean tourte…

You can also sample our local wines, such as Madiranor Jurançon, unless a local beer is more to your taste… in moderation, of course!

Fancy taking a little bit of the Pyrenees home with you? Les Halles de Lourdes is the place to go to discover the flavours of the region. Located on Place du Champ Commun and open all year round, every morning only, they bring together passionate producers, artisans and traders offering a wide selection of local specialities: Tarbais beans, cheeses from the valleys, charcuterie, honeys, spit-roasted cakes and wines from the South-West.

To extend the experience, many restaurants in Lourdes also showcase Pyrenean cuisine on their menus. It’s the perfect opportunity to sample a garbure, duck confit or the famous Tarbais beans, prepared in keeping with local traditions or creatively reimagined by the region’s chefs.

Whether for a gourmet picnic after a hike, a delicious souvenir to take home, or simply to enjoy a pleasant encounter with the people who bring the region to life every day, a visit to the market at Les Halles is an unmissable part of your stay in Lourdes.