Le Forum des Halles is a modern large shopping complex that includes a whole park, an underground alley, a metro station (by the way, the largest in the world) and an abundance of shops and boutiques. It is hard to imagine that once in this place there was a decaying in the literal and figurative sense of the word the Parisian central market. The first information about the market concerns 1137, and in the middle of the 20th century the market became a serious obstacle to transport flows, and its sanitary condition left much to be desired, because it was closed.

There was an empty place in the market place, not occupied with anything. The locals called it the "Ale hole" - le trou des Halles - it was here that the name of the shopping center "Le Al" arose. At this point in 1979, a large shopping center was built, which became (like the former market) a favorite place for Parisians and visitors. Today, there are more than 180 shops, an entertainment center and a cinema, a fitness center, restaurants and the ubiquitous McDonalds.

The history of the city market began in 1137, when King Louis V ordered the trade to be concentrated in one place - this was the area where the shopping center is now located. Later Francis I built a full-fledged shopping arcade here. And by the 19th century this area of ​​Paris had become the center of the bright life of the lower strata of the population. It was he who described Emil Zola in his novel The Belly of Paris. By the middle of the 20th century, the quarter became one of the most dangerous in the city, and the market itself left much to be desired in terms of sanitation.

On the site of the shopping malls that the city authorities decided to demolish, for a long time there was a wasteland. And in the late 70's. The architects of Vasconi and Panchrit built the "Le Al" shopping complex on five levels. Only one floor of all is located above the ground, all the others are on the underground level. However, despite this, it is as light as in the daytime - during the project, a complex reflector system through which natural sunlight penetrates was thought through.

In total there are more than 250 different shops and boutiques in the shopping center "Les Al". Among the manufacturers represented, of course, there are also elite French brands. But still more than half of the goods are focused on the middle class - the brands Zara and H & M, Mango and Esprit, Gap and Levi's and many others. In addition to clothing, you can buy shoes, accessories and ornaments, perfumes and cosmetics, books and press, equipment, etc.

Practical information

You can get to the Les Al shopping complex on the metro - you will need to get off at Les Halles station. If you prefer to use the bus, the city routes No 38, 47, 67, 69, 75 go to the department store.

Address: Paris, Porte Berger, 101.

Phone: +33 (1) 447-696-56.

Working hours: Monday - Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00, cinemas until 23:00, Sunday - the day off. Restaurants work daily.