Le Cordon Bleu - Rungis

Field-tripping. Our class traveled the short 7.2 miles from Paris to Rungis.

Known as the world’s largest market, this place was impressive. So large that we traveled by bus from hall to hall. Nine buildings the size of a small airplane hangars dedicated just to vegetables and fruits. There are similar shops for beef, poultry, butter and cheese, pork, fish, and even flowers.

As a true market, most activity finished by 11 a.m. Even earlier – 4 a.m. – for fish. Things move fast and in tons. Wholesale items are only for restaurant and chef industry members. Think of Costco on horse-steroids. Here are a few facts.

Rungis in a nutshell

• €7.767 billion annual sales
• 1199 companies
• 12,000 employees
• 573 acres
• 1,462,191 tons of foodstuffs, annually
• 19 on-site restaurants

We traveled from pavilion to pavilion marveling at the size and volume of it all. There were two official Rungis tour-guides at our disposal answering all sorts of questions.

My operation management soul was on fire. Reeling from happiness and excitement. I couldn’t help but to imagine the logistics department and all the fun algorithms, charts, schedules and plots they must have. A little piece of heaven for me. I could have spent a week. If you get the chance, it’s a must visit.