Rue Montorgueil and Les Halles in Pictures

By Courtney Traub, About.com Guide

Known as "the belly of Paris", the monstrous shopping center at Les Halles in central Paris was, up until the mid-20th century, the location of Paris' most important open-air market. For hygiene reasons, the market was moved out of the city center to a south suburb. Les Halles shopping center is notoriously labyrinthian and difficult to navigate, and its design never quite won over the public. Plans to completely redesign Les Halles are in the works, but are themselves controversial.

Read More: Guide to the Forum des Halles Shopping Center