Historic Paris Food Market Devastated by Massive Fire

A massive fire ravaged the Marché des Enfants Rouges, Paris' oldest covered food market, in the early hours of Monday, October 12th. Firefighters battled for hours to control the blaze, which ultimately left the historic landmark in ruins and destroyed approximately 20 vendor stalls.

The fire broke out around 3 a.m. Monday in the Marais district. The Brigade des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris reported that 150 firefighters and nine hoses were mobilized to combat the flames. "Fire brought under control but market totally devastated," stated Ariel Weil, the mayor of central Paris, via a post on X. He also noted that an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.

Founded in 1615 during the reign of King Louis XIII, the market, whose name translates to "Market of the Red Children," has been a popular destination for locals and tourists. Its unique moniker originated from a nearby orphanage, the Hospice des Enfants Rouges, whose residents wore red uniforms. The market was designated a historic monument in 1982.

In the early 2000s, the market underwent a transformation, shifting its focus to culinary vendors. It became known for offering a diverse range of cuisines, including Moroccan, Creole, Afro-Caribbean, Lebanese, French, and Italian, alongside stalls selling produce from butchers, cheesemongers, and fishmongers.

City officials have pledged to find temporary locations for the affected businesses to ensure their activities can continue. "We will find temporary locations for the businesses so that all their activities can be maintained," Mayor Weil posted on X.