Built in 1615 at the request of Louis XIII, this market in which poultry, game and other foodstuffs were sold served to supply the Marais and Place Royale, today's Place des Vosges.
In 1772 this wooden market of 2000 m2, equipped with a well and a stable, was named the “red children's market”. A reference to the orphanage that Marguerite de Navarre (sister of Francis I) opened, not far from there, in 1534 and whose young residents were dressed in red clothes, a sign of Christian charity.
Closed in 1994, the oldest covered market in Paris almost became a parking lot, when Jacques Chirac was at Paris town hall.
But thanks to a campaign led by director Bernard Tavernier and some Marais residents, it reopened in November 2000.
Now this building, which has just celebrated its 400th anniversary, is the place for taste encounters of all kinds.
Here, two market gardeners (one of which is organic), two florists, a cheese maker, a wine merchant with a well-chosen selection, or even one of the rare fishmongers in 3e district, offer something to fill your shopping basket.
When it comes to restaurants, you are spoiled for choice: French cuisine or elsewhere. We come from the neighborhood but also from far away to sit, elbow to elbow, at a table and chat in all languages around a deliciously flavored chicken colombo, a coucous to die for, a hamburger or other Italian or Lebanese delights.
And we never tire of the little Japanese corner which offers ultra fresh, inventive bento and as authentic as in Tokyo or the Estaminet where we indulge in fresh vegetables and pork from Savoie.
The only downside is that the toilets are not always spotless. Damage !
The Red Children's Market
39 rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Tuesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 20:30 p.m.
Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 17 p.m.
Text: Katia Barillot
Photos: ©Anaïs Costet
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