Brief reminder of Part 1 (without mistake ) : It was in the 5th century that the first sketches of a Parisian market were drawn in the Île de la Cité , then moved to the Place de Grève . In 1854 , the architect BALTARD ' s project presented 12 pavilions clad in a metal framework and large glass walls . The buildings were interconnected by covered walkways . They were installed in 1869 . With the ever-increasing volume of traffic , these covered market halls were becoming congested and even unhealthy . In 1959 , the town of Rungis was chosen as the site for the future International Market . After 5 years of work , the move was scheduled to take place between 27 February and the reopenning on 3 March 1969 . This was the ' biggest move of the century ' . As soon as each of the markets closed , the wholesaler were organised to move . Florists were the first to move to Rungis . To salute this first departure , a brass band set up on the church forcourt played military marches and the latest hits . Many people danced or pranced around the pyramides of vegetable crates , to dispel the heavy atmosphere of nostalgia . Forty-eight removal companies were involved because everything had to be reinstalled for the inauguration of Rungis on 3 and 4 March 1969 . This grandiose operation involved 30000 , people , 1000 , companies , 5000 , tonnes of goods and 1500 , lorries . The army was requisitioned to oversee this huge project , which disruted all Parisian traffic for a few days . A real city within a city is taking shape . On the opening day , more than 30 bars , tobaconists and brasseries , 5 petrol stations , a SNCF railway station , a medical and social centre , a police station and even a hairdresser ' s salon stood in the market . After this transfer , everyone quickly resumed their activities in a universe that seem grandiose . Rungis Market now ofers the widest range of fresh produce in the world in a single space . It guaranties professionals unrivalled quality and expertise . Veterinary services oversee the market , carrying out checks on food hygiene , traceability and complaince with regulations . It has become the largest market in the world .