Marché des Innocents, 1855

The Marché des Innocents was opened in 1788 in the place of what used to be Paris's largest cemetery, the Cimetière des Innocents. This market, located in the first arrondissement, served as a central location for Parisians to purchase various herbs and vegetables. In addition to the hundreds of vendors, the market also housed the occasional café and was at one time a place where homeless Parisians could go in the winter for a bowl of hot soup. The Fontaine des Innocents, originally erected in 1549, was transferred to the center of the market in the early 19th century. Although highly decorative, the fountain's four basins served as a sufficient source of water for the entire market. The Marché des Innocents officially closed in 1858 to make way for the popular les Halles marketplace. In 1865, the fontaine des Innocents was once again relocated to what is currently known as the Place des Innocents.