Offering gourmet foods from around and an unbeatable history that rivals those found in the best texts of Alexander Dumas, Le Marché des Enfants Rouges still marches on strong after 400 years.

Le Marché des Enfants Rouges (“market of the red children”) is a must visit for all foodie and history lovers. Located in the Marais the market is the oldest in Paris and as of 1982 also a historical monument. 

The history of this market is perhaps even more attractive than the now multiple arrays of delicious stalls and restaurants on offer selling tempting cuisines from around the world, including Italian, French, Spanish, Lebanese, African, Japanese and much more.

This 400-year-old market was originally an orphanage created by Marguerite de Navarre in 1534. The name “Market of the Red Children” derives from the fact that the children used to be dressed in red clothing to indicate that the clothes had been donated to Christian charities. The orphanage was later closed at the start of the 17th Century. 

When it was reopened as a marketplace in 1615 it was dubbed “Marche des Enfants Rouge” to commemorate its previous charitable history. 

During the 1990s the Mayor of Paris wanted to tear down the market and transform it into a parking garage. The site was fortunately saved due to loving locals who chained themselves to the gates to prevent the bulldozers from tearing it down. In 2000 the market was reopened after extensive renovations and reenvisioned as a gourmet market. 

Now the site is a foodie treasure trove of gourmet trends and stalls offering Japanese bento boxes, fresh pressed juice, gluten-free desserts, buckwheat crêpes, as well as artisanal and organic food medleys. 

But perhaps the best characteristic of the market today is that it acts as a showcase for up and coming chefs that do not yet have the capital to open their own restaurants. There are quite a few now successful Parisian chefs whose humble beginnings started here. 

So whether you are interested in a slice of history or the experience of a meal from around the world, or simply curious to see what today’s undiscovered culinary Parisian chefs have to offer, “Marche des Enfants Rouge” is worth a visit. 

Highlights

History of the market, around the world cuisines, something for everyone