The delightful Elizabeth II Flower Market in the 4th arrondissement of Paris was named in honour of the Queen of England to reflect the “enormous affection” in which the French hold her.
Queen Elizabeth II Flower Market
The flower market (in French: Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II) occupies a square in the Île de la Cité, not far from Notre-Dame Cathedral. It is two centuries old and dates back to 1808.
It stands in Place Louis-Lépine and Quai de la Corse on the banks of the River Seine, between the buildings of the Tribunal de Commerce, the Préfecture and the Hôtel-Dieu.
Most of the flower market is under six metallic Art Nouveau pavilions (from 1900) surrounded by leafy lanes.
Parisians and visitors come here to buy flowers, plants, shrubs, and decorative items. A bird market takes place on the site on Sunday.
2014: A New Name!
On the 7th of June 2014, the following day of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, Queen Elizabeth II came to Paris and chose to visit the market. On this occasion, the Queen unveiled a plaque bearing her name. The flower market was renamed “Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II”.
► Read more about Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the Flower Market…
Other flower markets in Paris
There are two other flower markets in Paris:
- in the 8th arrondissement in Place de la Madeleine and
- in the 17th arrondissement in Place des Ternes.
These markets are smaller than those in Île de la Cité and do not trade birds.
The métro station Cité gives direct access to the Elizabeth II Flower Market (line 4).
Charles III at the Elizabeth II Flower Market
On Thursday, 21st of September 2023, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, personally welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a quick stroll around the Ile de la Cité. It was an opportunity to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
The symbolic setting of the Flower Market on the Ile de la Cité is worthy of “the most beautiful palaces”, according to the mayor herself, an allusion to Charles III’s visit to the Palace of Versailles.
🇫🇷🇬🇧 Le roi Charles III et la reine Camilla sont accueillis par Anne Hidalgo au Marché aux fleurs Reine Elizabeth II pic.twitter.com/BaZKotIos8
— Thomas Pernette (@ThomasPernette) September 21, 2023
All photos © French Moments
