Imagine, if you will, the aroma of fresh produce mingling with the echoes of history. That is the Quartier Les Halles. This district stands as a testament to Paris’s ever-evolving story.
Quartier Les Halles is the 2nd administrative district of Paris. It is located in the 1st arrondissement. Its name comes from the Halles de Paris. These were wholesale food markets once located here.
Let’s journey back to 1137. Louis VI ordered two markets to move here. They were the Palu market and the central market. This area was then called “Campelli” or “Les Champeaux”. It was outside the city walls. This marked the beginning of Les Halles’s story.
Over time, the market expanded. More halls were added. In 1780, the Innocents Cemetery closed due to hygiene concerns. The bones were moved to the catacombs. In 1788, the “Marché des Innocents” opened. It sold flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
Between 1852 and 1870, architect Baltard rebuilt Les Halles. This transformed the district. Wide, straight streets were laid out. These cut through the medieval streets. Examples include Rue des Halles and Boulevard de Sébastopol.
The market halls closed in 1969. They moved to Rungis. In the 1970s, the buildings were demolished. The Forum des Halles opened in 1979. In 2011, renovations began. These aimed to create “the new heart of Paris”.
The project included the Jardin Nelson-Mandela. It also included the Canopée des Halles. The Canopée is a structure that houses a music conservatory and a cultural center.
In 1702, Paris was divided into twenty districts. The Quartier des Halles was the 8th district. It was surrounded by other districts. These were Saint-Denis, Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, Sainte-Opportune, and Saint-Eustache.
That year, the district contained various markets. There was a market for herbs and vegetables. There was also one for bread, eggs, butter, and cheese.
Today, the Westfield Forum des Halles is a large shopping mall. It has stores, restaurants, and movie theaters. Châtelet-Les Halles is the world’s largest underground subway station.
The Jardin Nelson Mandela sits next to the Forum. It has over five hundred trees, pergolas, and fountains.
Les Halles is close to the Louvre and Centre Pompidou. It is a central point in Paris. The area has been a gathering place for Parisians since the 12th century. Émile Zola called it “the underbelly of Paris”.
So, as you stand here in Quartier Les Halles, remember its layers of history. From a marketplace to a modern hub, Les Halles continues to evolve. It remains a vital part of Paris.