One of Paris’s most storied food destinations — and a global magnet for street-food fans — has been reduced to ruins after an overnight fire tore through the city’s oldest covered market, officials said.
The Marche Couvert des Enfants Rouges, nestled in the Marais district, has stood since 1615. Its name traces back to the red clothing once worn by orphans at a nearby hospital, a tradition that lasted until 1772.
In a nod to its enduring culinary appeal, Food & Wine placed the market fifth in the world for street food this year, behind venues in London, Bangkok, the French city of Lyon and Mexico City.
“The market was completely destroyed” overnight, Lieutenant Colonel Pierre de Bouvier told reporters on site in the early hours of the morning.
Firefighters said the market was destroyed in the blaze
“Nothing remains of the covered market,” he said, adding that it’s metal structure had “partially collapsed” inside.
Ariel Weil, the mayor of central Paris, said he was relieved crews had brought the blaze under control before it could race beyond the site.
“The worst has been avoided,” he said. “No neighbouring buildings have been affected.”
