## Place des Halles

In the 13th century, during the reign of Saint Louis (Louis IX), Marcigny became a prosperous small town where the market, held on Mondays, dates from 1266. In 1378, with its Cluniac nunnery and growing in importance, Jean Étienne Tachon decided to build a covered market. Its framework was supported by eighteen columns. On one was posted the notices and edicts that the prior and syndic announced to the public. The Place des Halles, a place of contact between convent and village, lost its importance when the Place du Cours was laid out in 1803. Having no further use, the market hall was pulled down in 1854, at the same time as the last vestiges of the ramparts.

## Denis Drouin House

This prosperous Marcigny merchant chose one of the most sought-after locations in which to build his house. It was here, at the entrance to the priory that the economy of the town had developed.

The first floor window, surmounting the chronogram 1551, is surrounded by monograms of Christ, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. The occupant was thus under the highest protection.

Below the window, you can read a Latin verse taken from a psalm of David: "Lord, Thy will be done to us because we have put our hope in Thee. Lord, I have hoped in Thee, and will not be confused [with the wicked] in Eternity.» The Tourist Office occupies this timber-framed house that has been listed as an historic monument since 1931.

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Dans un bassin attenant aux ateliers, la Corporation élevait des carpes. Le vendredi et en temps de carême, les bouchers devenaient poissonniers.

## Town memories from the 14th to 16th century

### Timber-framed houses

The houses were assembled using a mortise and tenon jointed frame. The in-fill was usually of mud, plaster or brick. A stone foundation arrangement prevented the wood from rotting.

Building cantilevered floors strengthened the seating of the beams supporting them and reduced their deflection.

### Impasse de la Boucherie

The first house, at the entrance to the impasse (blind alley), the best preserved in its original state, was listed as an historic monument in 1931. It remained the property of the Corporation until the 18th century. In the courtyard at the back of this building butchers slaughtered animals and disposed of the remains into a branch of the Gruzelier, a small stream coming from Semur which, on its entry into Mascigny, became the Merdasson. The meat was presented outside, protected by the corbelled overhangs.

In a basin adjoining the workshops, the Corporation bred carp. On Fridays and at Lent, the butchers became fishmongers. By royal privilege, butchers were the only ones authorised to slaughter animals for commercial purposes. They left to cooks and charcutiers (cooked meat specialists) the care of other preparations - pâtés, terrines, etc.

They sold the skins of the slaughtered animals and tallow for making candles.

...On its entry into Mascigny, the Gruzelier became the Merdasson.

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abattaient les animaux et évacuaient les détritus dans un embranchement du Gruzelier, ruisseau descendant de Semur. Les viandes étaient présentées à l'extérieur, protégées par les encorbellements.

etc. Ils vendaient les peaux des animaux abattus ainsi que le suif pour la fabrication des chandelles.

...à son entrée dans Marcigny, le Gruzelier devient un « merdasson ».

## Plan de ville

## Timber-framed houses

## Impasse de la Boucherie

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archeveque de Rouen et abbé de Cluny ».

Hôtel de la Prieure

Une dizaine de moines bénédictins y assurent les services.

au titre des Monuments Historiques (1926).

## Plan de ville

* Place du cours
* Maisons de bois
* Le Prieuré
* Place du Prieuré
* Hôtel de ville
* Place des Halles
* Tour du Moulin

## Prioress' house

In 1769 the first Cluniac convent, founded in the 11th century, was occupied by thirteen nuns. The prioress, Anne-Nicole de (La) Queuille-Châteauguay, had the house built on the site of the narthex (front nave) of the convent's principal church.

She had a tribune opened up so that she could follow the offices from her apartments. She entrusted the design to Edme Verniquet, future architect for the Jardin du Roi (Jardin des Plantes, Paris).

Claude Courtépée (1721-1781), priest of the Diocese of Autun, historian and geographer, wrote of her: "This lady, considering that her house, built on marsh, was unhealthy for those who lived in it, has undertaken a new construction, based on the designs of Mr. Verniquet. The first stone was laid solemnly, on 9 May 1777, by Cardinal de la Rochefoucauld, Archbishop of Rouen and Abbot of Cluny."

## Parish church

Too small? Too far? The church of Saint-Nizier, on the Place du Champ de Foire, no longer met the needs of the growing population which was edging closer to the Cluniac priory enclosure. In the 12th century a new church, with a single nave, was built under the protection of Saint Nicolas, Bishop of Myra, patron saint of sailors. Its services were assured by a dozen Benedictine monks.

Saint Nicolas became a parish church in 1620. In the 19th century, the square-plan bell tower was rebuilt in neo-Romanesque style and the church enlarged by two side aisles. The church's façade was listed as a protected structure in 1926.

Charité l'innais

MONUMENT

HISTORIQUE

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