DK Travel : Paris : Beaubourg and Les Halles : History & Culture

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10th Century

A larger market for meat, fruit and vegetables was at this time known to exist 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.
1850s

Twelve huge iron structures are built to house the market. 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 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).
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.
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.
Bourse du Commerce

The circular building which houses the Commercial Exchange was erected as a grain market in 1767 and remodelled in the 19th century. It was first covered with a wooden dome, then by subsequent structures of iron and copper. Under today’s glass dome, activity in the coffee and sugar commodities market is covered at a leisurely pace compared to the way other world financial centres operate.
Centre Georges Pompidou