A major fire has destroyed the French capital’s oldest covered market, located in the city’s third arrondissement. The blaze has been brought under control, but part of the market’s metal structure has collapsed.
A fire devastated the Marché des Enfants Rouges, Paris’s oldest covered market, early on Monday morning. Located on Rue de Bretagne in the city’s third arrondissement, the historic site was severely damaged by the blaze, which was brought under control by emergency services.
Ariel Weil, mayor of the Paris Centre district, confirmed the incident in a post on X, expressing his dismay at the destruction.
“Sadly, the Marché des Enfants Rouges has been devastated by flames early this morning. The fire has been extinguished, but the market has been completely destroyed,” Weil wrote, urging residents and motorists to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to carry out their operations.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities have yet to provide a precise assessment of the damage.
Firefighters Bring Blaze Under Control
Firefighters responded to the emergency after receiving an alert at 4:15 a.m. on Monday. Their intervention prevented the flames from spreading beyond the covered market.
“We have extinguished the fire, so it will not spread beyond the covered market,” Lieutenant Colonel Pierre de Bouvier told reporters.
However, the fire caused significant structural damage. According to de Bouvier, part of the market’s metal framework collapsed inward.
One firefighter reportedly suffered a minor medical episode during the operation. No other injuries were reported.
Emergency services remain focused on securing the site and assessing the extent of the destruction.
A Historic Paris Landmark Dating Back to 1615
Founded in 1615, the Marché des Enfants Rouges is an important part of Paris’s cultural and commercial heritage. The market was officially designated a historic monument in 1982, reflecting its significance in the history of the French capital.
Its unusual name, which translates as the “Market of the Red Children”, dates back to a nearby orphanage established in 1536 by Margaret of Navarre, the sister of King Francis I of France. The children cared for at the institution wore red clothing, which gave rise to the market’s name.
The institution closed in 1772, but the name referring to the “red children” remained associated with the market towards the end of the 18th century.
For centuries, the Marché des Enfants Rouges has been a distinctive feature of the Marais district, attracting residents and visitors alike. Its destruction represents a significant loss for one of Paris’s most historic neighbourhoods, raising questions about the extent of the damage and the possibility of restoring the landmark.
