The Discharge Canal

Its full name, "discharge canal for the waters of the Ill into the Doller," immediately reveals its primary purpose.

Designed to channel the frequent and devastating floods of the Ill River, which regularly submerged the city and made large areas unsuitable for construction, this canal was commissioned in 1846 by the city council.

Faced with an influx of workers drawn by industrial development and the urgent need for housing, this project also provided a solution to the endemic unemployment of the time.

Completed in 1849, the works not only controlled flooding but also made the surrounding land buildable, thus encouraging the development of the Cité.

Over the years, the canal was enlarged several times to meet growing needs.

Part of its covering was later constructed, allowing the market hall to be built in 1908, which is still in use today.