There are
some 70-80 covered markets in Paris, rather few with the original 19th century design. Unfortunately the most famous one, “Les
Halles” with its “Baltard pavilions” disappeared in the beginning of the 1970’s. (I wrote about them, last time here). Many are quite modern where the “originals”
have been replaced. Some older ones remain, but are used for other purposes
(see e.g. here, here and here). I have posted about a few “real” ones (see e.g.
here and here). Then there is the special flower market (see here)…. Close to
the area where my latest two posts were made, there is one which I would
consider as “real”, Marché Saint-Quentin.
This one
was created in 1866 and replaced a previous one from 1835, named Saint-Laurent.
That one had to go when the new Haussmannian boulevards were created. It seems
that the name of the architect of the Marché Saint-Quentin was Rabourdin, but
Victor Baltard was probably there in the background, being the official city
architect - Saint-Quentin was built more or less simultaneously with the “Baltard
pavilions” at "Les Halles". The use of steel and glass was then something new.
I don’t
know if this is the best food market in Paris, but there is the usual offer.
There are also a few bars and restaurants. One special detail is perhaps the
Wallace Fountain (see previous posts here and here) in the middle of the
market.
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