Quai du Marché Neuf – Maurice Grimaud

“A market so new, it kept its name for centuries!” a street vendor might have exclaimed back in the 16th century on the Quai du Marché Neuf – Maurice Grimaud. This quay, nestled on the Île de la Cité in Paris, whispers tales of bustling markets, grim morgues, and revolutionary changes. Quai du Marché Neuf – Maurice Grimaud wasn’t always a tranquil walkway. It began as the Rue de l’Orberie, later evolving into the Rue du Marché-Neuf, named after the vibrant market established here in 1568. Imagine the cacophony of vendors hawking their wares, the scent of fresh fish and herbs mingling in the air. This “New Market” thrived for centuries, eventually disappearing around 1854. However, the name stuck, a testament to its lasting impact on the area. But the Quai du Marché Neuf – Maurice Grimaud holds darker secrets too. In 1804, the morgue, a place where unidentified bodies were displayed for identification, was established here. It became a macabre, yet popular, attraction for Parisians. They would come to gaze upon the deceased, hoping to recognize a lost loved one or simply to witness the grim realities of life and death. The morgue remained on Quai du Marché Neuf – Maurice Grimaud until 1868, when it was moved to make way for Haussmann’s renovations, including the construction of the Prefecture of Police, whose southern facade now graces the quay. The Quai du Marché Neuf – Maurice Grimaud also bears witness to significant historical events. During WWI, a German bomb exploded in the Seine near the quay in 1918. More recently, in 2018, the quay received its current name, honoring Maurice Grimaud, the Paris Prefect of Police during the tumultuous events of May 1968. He was known for his measured response to the student protests, prioritizing dialogue over violent suppression. Today, as you stroll along the Quai du Marché Neuf – Maurice Grimaud, take a moment to reflect on its layered past. From bustling marketplace to somber morgue, from wartime explosions to peaceful protests, this quay has seen it all. It’s a microcosm of Parisian history, a place where the echoes of the past mingle with the vibrant energy of the present.