Historic Marche des Enfants Rouges in Paris destroyed by fire

A massive fire completely destroyed the historic Marche des Enfants Rouges in the Le Marais district of Paris's 3rd arrondissement during the early hours of Monday, October 12, 2026. The blaze broke out around 3:00 a.m. local time, with emergency services alerted at approximately 4:15 a.m. The historic site, which dates back to 1615 and spans 1,000 square meters, suffered extensive structural damage, including the partial collapse of its metal roofing.

Approximately 150 firefighters and 50 vehicles were deployed to battle the flames, successfully preventing the fire from spreading to surrounding structures in the dense urban center. While one firefighter reported minor health issues, officials confirmed there were no other casualties. Fire authorities stated that nothing remains of the original market structure, which was classified as a historic monument.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and an investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances leading to the incident. Authorities have not yet commented on potential plans for reconstruction or the future of the site.