The Enfants Rouges market (Marché des Enfants Rouges) is a covered food market in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. Located in the Marais neighbourhood, it is the oldest covered market in the city that started in 1615. It’s named after the nearby 16th century orphanage where children wore red clothes donated by Christian charities. Today, it is the favourite market of locals and tourists, thanks to the cozy atmosphere and stalls that take visitors on a journey around the world.
The small Enfants Rouges market offers a wide selection of local products for shopping: fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, flowers, and more. But what sets it apart is its numerous small restaurant-caterers that serve cuisine from around the world (French, Caribbean, Japanese, Italian, Moroccan, and more), attracting Parisians eager to embark on a global culinary journey in a laid-back atmosphere.
Marché des Enfants Rouges is also home to Les Enfants Du Marché, one of the many great Parisian restaurants with natural wines and inventive, experimental cuisine. Don’t expect a formal dining experience: the seating is on bar stools around a market counter. Behind the counter, you’ll spot owner Michael Grosman, chef Shunta Susuki and the other effortlessly cool kitchen and waiting staff. Reservations are not possible and it gets busy for lunch during the weekends, so you might have to wait in line. Trust me, it’s more than worth it. During winter they are only open for the lunch service. The menu, scribbled on blackboards, changes with the seasons. Our tip is to order a few dishes to share with your dining companions, ask your waiter for wine recommendations and dig in!
Market days
Tuesday – Sunday
Opening hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:30am – 8:30pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 8:30pm
Thursday: 8:30am – 9:30pm
Friday: 8:30am – 8:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 8:30pm
Sunday: 8:30am – 5pm
How to get to Marché des Enfants Rouges
- By subway: Line 3 – Temple station; Line 8 – Filles du Calvaire station
- By bus: Line 20, 75 – Square du Temple stop; Line 96 – Bretagne stop
Check out more markets in Paris!
