Space of the Blancs-Manteaux, Trade fair and shopping center in the 4th arrondissement, Paris
The Espace des Blancs-Manteaux is a trade fair and shopping center in the Marais neighborhood of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, on Rue Vieille du Temple. The building retains the form of an old covered market, with visible metal beams and stone walls divided into two halls, one used for staged events and the other for sports activities.
The building was erected in 1813 on Napoleon's orders as a covered market and completed in 1819, on a site that had previously belonged to a nobleman and later served as a hospice. Since 1992, it has been managed by the town hall of the 4th arrondissement, which transformed it into a venue for public and cultural events.
The name comes from the nearby Rue des Blancs-Manteaux, itself named after a mendicant order whose friars wore white cloaks. Today the halls host artists, local associations, and workshop organizers, making it a regular meeting point for people living and working in the Marais.
The nearest metro station is Saint-Paul on line 1, and several bus lines stop within walking distance. The building is only open during scheduled events, so checking the current program before visiting is a good idea.
The outer fountain of the separate butcher's hall, built in 1823, is decorated with two bronze bull heads, a rare decorative detail that survives from the market period. That hall was built apart from the main building specifically to separate meat processing from the rest of the trading activity.
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