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A major fire has destroyed stalls and damaged part of Paris’ oldest covered food market, Marché des Enfants Rouges, in the early hours of Monday.
The blaze broke out at about 4:15 am in the historic Marais district. It destroyed several stalls and caused part of the market’s metal structure to collapse. Firefighters stopped the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. One firefighter suffered a minor medical episode, but no other casualties were reported.
Traders gathered outside the market to assess the damage. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said the cause of the fire remained unknown and confirmed that an investigation would follow. Authorities were also checking nearby buildings for possible structural damage. Meanwhile, the city was seeking temporary premises for businesses affected by the blaze.
The market could remain closed for months, leaving traders and other businesses facing an uncertain future. It was founded in 1615 under King Louis XIII, Marché des Enfants Rouges is a major landmark in the French capital. Its name comes from a former orphanage whose children wore red clothing.
The market has been listed as a historic monument since 1982. It housed food shops, restaurants and florists, making it a popular destination for residents and visitors.
It also ranked fifth on Food & Wine magazine’s 2026 list of the world’s best food markets. The fire has damaged a historic site that has served Paris for more than four centuries, while the investigation into its cause continues.
