The sports hall was conceived as the focal point of a large sports and leisure complex developed on the reclaimed Grand Marais after the Second World War. In 1962, the City of Saint-Nazaire commissioned a multi-purpose hall with an explicitly innovative architectural form, intended to accommodate both sporting and cultural events.

The building takes the form of an inclined spherical cap with a surface area of approximately 1,600 square meters. Its reinforced-concrete shell construction creates a large, column-free interior, providing unobstructed views of the arena. The lightweight roof is suspended from a system of steel cables and consists of multiple layers providing structural support, thermal and acoustic insulation, and waterproofing. Due to the difficult ground conditions of the former marshland, the structure rests on 166 piles extending approximately 20 meters into the ground.

The hall contains 2,200 fixed bleachers and can accommodate up to 3,500 spectators.

In use. The building was listed as a Monument historique on May 29, 2019. In 2025, structural assessments identified weaknesses in parts of the spectator stands. As a precaution, the City of Saint-Nazaire temporarily restricted the building’s audience capacity while further investigations are being carried out. Most activities can continue under modified conditions.

Special thanks to Jean-Philippe Hugron