Historical Events in Les Halles
Roman Era A marketplace was first established on the Right Bank of the Seine in a place then called Les Champeaux. 10th Century A larger market for meat, fruit and vegetables is known to have existed in the part of Paris which is now Les Halles. 1183 The market is enlarged by King Philippe Auguste, who built shelters for the market traders near St-Eustache church. This date is generally accepted as the founding of Les Halles as the city’s market.
St-Eustache
1850s Twelve huge iron and glass market halls are built. Napoleon III declares that Les Halles is essential to Paris life. 1965 Work begins on a modern wholesale market south of Paris, at Rungis. 1969 The
central Paris market is closed and moved to Rungis, partly to ease the
traffic congestion that was by now too much for the centre of the city. 1971 The old buildings are demolished and digging begins, to create for a time what is known as the trou des Halles (the hole of Les Halles). Mid-1970s As
well as the shopping malls, gardens are created and buildings next to
the cleared space can be seen properly for the first time, including the
church of St-Eustache. 1977 The
Forum des Halles opens and ensures that the area remains as busy as
ever, although the goods for sale (high fashion, CDs, fast food) have
changed considerably since the market’s early days.
Forum des Halles
1986 Second phase of the Forum des Halles opens, creating the biggest
collection of shops under one roof in Paris, though many will always lament the passing of the original market.
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