The suspense was only on the surface, Thursday June 27, 2024 in the halls, at least in Niort. Here, the result was already almost known to everyone, when, at past 1:30 p.m., the teams of TF1 announced that the halls of the Deux-Sévrian capital were declared winners of the competition for the most beautiful market in France, in partnership with The New Republic. However, the joy was still there.
The announcement was made live from the market in front of a very happy president of Sem des halles, David Videira. “I would like to thank the traders for the quality of their products and their know-how, also the people of Niort. Without them, we would not have received this title”he declared, moved, on television.
“Immense impatience before the announcement of the results”
The traders had in fact, for the most part, put on their black aprons on which “Most beautiful market” was written in white letters. On the Place du Donjon, two trucks topped with a satellite dish served as headquarters for the television teams, who had filmed a report in the morning for broadcast in the newspaper. The bistro tables were out, as was a DJ who brought some entertainment. The attendance was slightly higher than on a normal Thursday.
The aprons were out, just before the winner was revealed.
© (Photo NR, Romuald Goudeau)
It was from 12:30 p.m. that the excitement started to build. The cameras are set up, the presenter Thierry Coiffier warms up his voice in front of a stand. “All I can tell you is that here, there is immense impatience before the announcement of the result”, he simply says for the start of the news, at 1 p.m., without revealing the name of the capital of Deux-Sèvres. It was only at 1:30 p.m. that the result was announced live, to the applause of traders, elected officials and customers gathered for the occasion.
The trophy is presented to the mayor, Jérôme Baloge, after a quick tour inside, to discover the recipe for cheesecake. Television regulars, traders Jean-François Ferru and Betty Vallet presented the secrets of this emblematic cake. “We are very satisfied and grateful for the efforts made by the traders and the City of Niort”they smile when the cameras are away.
Guarantee of attractiveness
The pleasure is shared by their colleagues. “We have been campaigning for several years, this is an achievement. And then we have a building that deserves it”welcomes Jean-François Houet, horse butcher. “We hope that it will bring in a few more customers, especially during the week, and attract tourists”, dares to hope, delighted, Corentin Michonneau, who manages the Rosette des prés charcuterie. This is also what the tourist office, present for the occasion in the middle of the stands, is waiting for.
Explosion of joy live on television, at 1:30 p.m.
© (Photo NR, Romuald Goudeau)
“Let everyone who doesn’t know Niort come”launched the mayor, Jérôme Baloge on TF1, listing the architecture of the market halls, the half-timbered houses and the cafés as so many assets. Before offering to bring local products to the teams of TF1in Paris, as a thank you for the prize awarded by the channel.
to know
Niort participated for the third time in the national final of the competition. After finishing 9thes in 2019 and 6es in 2022, the halls therefore finally won the prize in 2024. They came at the top of the eight million voters nationally, as well as the votes of the “super-jury” made up of three viewers and three presenters from “TF1” (Isabelle Ithurburu, Bruce Toussaint and Laurent Kérusoré).
