▲ French flag
A major fire broke out at the Enfants Rouges market, regarded as the oldest food market in Paris, France, the New York Times (NYT) reported on the 12th local time.
According to local fire authorities, a fire broke out at the market located in the Marais district of Paris early that morning, completely destroying 17 internal stalls and collapsing a portion of the metal structure.
When firefighters arrived at the scene, an area spanning 930 square meters was already engulfed in flames.
A fire department official described the scene, saying, "Nothing is left."
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
The Enfants Rouges market is the oldest covered food market in Paris, having opened in 1615.
Situated in the Marais district in the heart of Paris, the market has long been used as a place to sell traditional French ingredients such as cheese, bread, wine, and vegetables.
In recent years, it has also established itself as a tourist attraction where visitors can taste foods from around the world, including the Caribbean and North Africa, as well as French cuisine.
The market's name, "Enfants Rouges," means "red children."
The name was given in honor of the orphans who wore red clothing after a nearby orphanage closed in 1772.
The market was designated a historical monument in 1982, but faced the threat of demolition in the 1990s.
At the time, when the city of Paris attempted to demolish the market and build a parking lot, merchants and local residents staged protests and spent nights outside the buildings to campaign for its preservation.
Ultimately, the demolition plan fell through, and following renovation work, the market re-established itself as a signature daily life and tourist attraction in the Marais district from the mid-2000s.
(Photo: Getty Images)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.