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The biggest market of Paris took place during 8 centuries in 'Les Halles'. Its story started in 1135, with the creation of an outside market, which has been progressively extended and reorganised.
 Two big buildings are built to protect the venders and their goods. The parisians call them 'Les Halles'. In the Middle-Ages, the market looks like a big bazaar, where everything can be sold: clothes, shoes, weapons, fruits, bread, meat ...
In 1851 the famous architect Baltard starts the building of 10 large pavilions, made of iron, glass and cast iron. It becomes one of the curiosities of Paris ! 'Les Halles' is in those days one of the most powerful markets in the world, picturesque, noisy and animated. It's like a small city in the City, where the revellers like to stay until 5am to taste the famous 'soupe à l'oignon'!
The market is moved outside of Paris in 1969. It's now located in the city of Rungis, near Orly airport. 'Les Halles' now shelter a huge metro station and a shopping centre called 'forum des Halles', built in 1979. The Town Hall of Paris intends to renovate the area to modernise the 'forum' and create some gardens. The works should start in 2009.
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