A significant fire broke out at Paris’s oldest covered food market, the Marché des Enfants Rouges, in the early hours of Monday, 12 October. The blaze destroyed numerous stalls and caused part of the market’s metal structure to collapse.
The fire ignited around 4.15am in the historic Marais district. Firefighters managed to contain it, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings. One firefighter experienced a minor medical issue, but there were no other reported injuries. Traders looked on in distress as they assessed the damage outside the market.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire stated that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Buildings in the vicinity are being inspected for structural damage, and the city is working to find temporary locations for affected vendors. The market could remain closed for several months.
Established in 1615 under Louis XIII, the market is named after a former orphanage whose children wore red. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1982 and featured various food shops, restaurants, and florists. The market was notably ranked fifth in Food & Wine magazine’s 2026 list of the world’s best food markets.
