Oldest covered food market in Paris ravaged by fire

Marché des Enfants Rouges has been destroyed by a raging overnight blaze, with hundreds of firefighters working for several hours to quell the flames in the Marais, one of Paris’ most beloved food destinations.

Considered one of the French capital’s most iconic food markets, Marché des Enfants Rouges, situated on Rue de Bretagne, was first established in 1615 as the ‘petit marché du Marais’ during the reign of Louis XIII.

At around 3am on Monday (12 October), a rapid blaze engulfed and ‘completley destroyed’ the historic space, according to Lieutenant-Colonel Pierre de Bouvier of the Paris fire brigade.

He continued, claiming ‘high flames were affecting the entire covered market’ when his team of 150 firefighters arrived.

Le Monde reported that as well as the firefighters, 50 emergency vehicles were deployed to tackle the blaze and prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring buildings.

(Bernard Geliot / AFP via Getty Images)

According to Condé Nast Traveller, the now-extinguished fire destroyed around 1,000 square meters of covered market stalls.

“Nothing remains of the covered market,” de Bouvier continued, explaining that its metal structure inside had also ‘partially collapsed’.

One firefighter has suffered ‘minor injuries’ as a result of tackling the blaze. No civilian injuries have been reported.

Investigators are currently probing to discover the cause of the flames, as per officials.

Speaking to French reporters at the scene of the devastating blaze, which has decimated around 20 vendors’ stalls, Ariel Weil, mayor of Paris Centre, said: “The worst was avoided: the fire did not spread to the surrounding building.

“But there a lot of emotion and sadness, but also a sense that we've escaped something much worse.”

Taking to social media after the blaze, he continued: “Fire brought under control but market totally devastated. Avoid the area around Rue de Bretagne.”

(Telmo Pinto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Emmanuel Grégoire, Mayor of Paris, added that ‘temporary locations for the businesses’ impacted by the event will be found so that their activities ‘can be maintained’.

This includes a mix of fruit and vegetable vendors, as well as general food stalls, including butchers, cheesemongers, and fishmongers as reported by Sky News.

The Guardian said that more than a dozen stands offering French, Lebanese, Japanese and other street food also operated out of Marché des Enfants Rouges.

Ahmed Ouaddi, whose Moroccan couscous stall had been a fixture of the market for decades, told France 24: “We’re all a big family, and now we’ve been orphaned. Our livelihoods have gone up in smoke.”

Prior to its descemation, the covered food market was described by Time Out as ‘the coolest’ in Paris, while Food&Wine ranked it fifth worldwide for street food earlier this year.

“It was such a lovely place, so charming – and now it’s gone,” a local added to the publication. “It’s tragic.”

Meanwhile, local pharmacist Virginie Prulhière said: “It was the oldest and prettiest market in Paris. We all loved it and we’re all in shock today.”