Fire damages the oldest covered market in Paris

A fire has damaged a famous old market in Paris, the capital of France. The fire happened during the night of Sunday, October 11, to Monday, October 12, 2026.

The market is called the Marché des Enfants Rouges. It is the oldest covered market^*1 in Paris. It began in the 17th century^*2, and today it is a protected historic monument^*3.

The French Ministry of Culture, the government office for art and history, spoke about the fire on Monday. It said that part of the market was destroyed.

Catherine Pégard, the French minister of culture, wrote a statement^*4 about the fire. She said she was very sad about it. She promised support for the people who work in the market: the sellers, the craftspeople^*5 and the restaurant owners. She also promised support for the people who live near the market.

The minister also thanked the firefighters and the rescue teams^*6. She said they were brave and did their work very well. She said their quick actions in the first minutes of the fire were very important.

1. *1 covered market: a market with a roof, where many small shops sell food and other things
2. *2 17th century: the years from 1601 to 1700
3. *3 historic monument: an old and important building that the law protects
4. *4 statement: an official message that a person or group writes for the public
5. *5 craftspeople: people who make things with their hands, like bread or furniture
6. *6 rescue teams: groups of people whose job is to save people in danger