Rungis, heart of France’s markets

Originally

Heart and soul of French gastronomy, the “Marché d’Intérêt National” in Rungis (MIN) captivates in its way of embodying the French passion for activities intrinsic to the wellness of all living beings: eating and drinking (in moderation).

Over the centuries

Initially located on the Île de la Cité, this expansive food market made a shift to Place de Grève until 1135, before finding its home in the Halles district in the late Middle Ages. This renowned “belly of Paris”, in the words of Emile Zola, swiftly moved, in just three days, to its current residence in the Rungis Market Hall in 1969, marking what was hailed as the “grandest relocation of the century”.

Nowadays

Although large-scale preparations are now in place to welcome a new neighbour in 2027 - the “Cité internationale de la gastronomie'', poised to draw inquisitive visitors from across the globe - the MIN’s main mission is to evolve in accordance with the times. In 2016, for example, a pavilion was unveiled, dedicated exclusively to organic agricultural products, whilst other initiatives, like Le Potager de Marianne (Marianne's Kitchen Garden), actively combat food waste by annually redistributing 8,000 tons of unsold goods.

Did you know?

• The architects Georges Philippe and Henri Colboc, a firm specialising in architecture and project management, envisioned the MIN. Close to the modernist movement, they were particularly active during the post-war reconstruction years, working on various projects such as religious buildings, hospitals, collective housing, offices, stadiums, and shopping centres.

• An iconic figure : owner of the “Cave de Rungis”, Henry d’Agostino was a historic greengrocer who lived through the transition from Les Halles to Rungis. He continued working at the market until the age of 87.

• 234 hectares of Market space (larger than the Principality of Monaco) on 600 hectares of land, located 7 kilometres from Paris: 3 million cubic metres of soil were moved, requiring the relocation of the Vanne, Loing, and Lunain aqueducts, to construct 25 kilometres of roads, 35 hectares of parking lots, 66,500 metres of pipelines, 4,500 telephone lines, and 250 internal television network stations - such is the enormity of the Market, which opened on March 3 and 4, 1969.

• With an average of 200 tons sold each day (500 to 600 tons during Christmas) came the need for an action plan : the "Rungis Green Business" promotes initiatives ranging from sustainable fishing to electric vehicles for car-sharing and the renovation of buildings.

• A multitude of expertise: 1,200 companies, 12,000 employees, and a turnover of 9 billion euros work to preserve the trades and French know-how in the food industry by providing them with a platform (such as tripe workers).

• The “Cité de la Gastronomie”... with limited carbon impact, will open in 2027 and bring together gastronomy, arts, heritage, transmission, training, and innovation, near the international market of Rungis. It will feature experiential exhibitions, playful workshops, professional courses, an educational garden, regional pavilions showcasing various expertise, conferences, trade shows, and hotel offerings.

• Over a dozen annual film shootings, including series, commercials, and music videos (such as La Fouine or Disiz La Peste), but most notably films like Heartbreaker with Romain Duris, Paris by Cédric Klapisch, and The Wing or the Thigh by Claude Zidi - an echo to the 1970 drive-in, an open-air cinema with an over 1000 car-capacity on a 3-hectare site with a 600-square-metre screen… that lasted only four years!

• Food for athletes is provided by the Rungis Market: 6 athletes will benefit from fresh produce from the market.

• Rugby has found its place at the market, thanks to a 10-year partnership with the Stade Français.

• The Rungis International Market Golf Trophy held its first edition in 2023, in a 4-person Scramble format, accompanied by golfer Thomas Levet.