Carreau du Temple, Cultural center and market hall in 3rd arrondissement, France
Carreau du Temple is a former market hall in Paris's 3rd arrondissement featuring a distinctive metal framework of iron, brick, and glass construction. The building, spanning over 1,800 square meters, has been transformed to house sports facilities, an auditorium with seating for 250 people, exhibition areas, and performance spaces.
The building was erected in 1863 on the site of a medieval Templar enclosure and replaced an earlier wooden market structure. This location had been the center of crafts and commerce in Paris for centuries before transforming into today's multipurpose venue.
The site takes its name from the medieval Knights Templar who occupied this land for centuries, and visitors can sense this historical connection woven into the neighborhood's identity. Today, the space bridges this ancient past with contemporary public activity, creating a place where different periods of the city feel present.
The facility offers access to nearly one hundred weekly sports classes covering activities like martial arts and roller skating. Visitors should note that availability changes based on the program schedule, so it is worth checking what activities are open to the public on your visit.
Excavations during renovation work uncovered remains of a medieval Templar cemetery lying beneath the building, adding an archaeological layer to the site. This discovery shows how the medieval history of this place is literally buried beneath visitors' feet.
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