Paris, May 19, 2026 – The Auchan supermarket located on Rue des Alouettes in the 19th arrondissement of Paris has been forced to close its doors following a decision by the Paris Police Prefecture. The closure, effective Monday, May 11, 2026, comes after an inspection revealed “serious breaches of hygiene rules.”
Massive Rodent Infestation and Contamination Risk
The primary reason for the urgent closure was the discovery of a “massive and generalized” presence of rodent traces throughout various areas of the store and its storage facilities. Authorities deemed this situation a “serious source of contamination” due to the pathogenic germs that rodents can carry.
The official order, posted on the now-closed gate of the supermarket, details the extent of the problem. On social media, several customers corroborated the findings, with one resident stating, “I went ten times and all ten times I saw rats, even in the cheese fridge…” Another commented, “This store was a horror, it was time for it to close.”
Structural Hygiene Defects and Staff Training Deficiencies
Beyond the rodent issue, the inspection also highlighted significant “structural hygiene defects” within the supermarket, creating an environment conducive to the contamination of food products. Inspectors noted that employees handling “unwrapped foodstuffs” were unable to perform proper hygienic handwashing due to a lack of hot water in the manipulation areas.
Furthermore, the inspector from the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations (DDPP), Jean Marcon, observed that “the personnel handling foodstuffs have no knowledge of good hygiene practices.” There were even concerns that staff were using “unhealthy products, potentially sources of germs that could lead to food poisoning.”
Immediate Action for Public Health Protection
These deficiencies were classified as “particularly serious” by the authorities, as they “imply dangers to public health.” Consequently, the Paris Police Prefecture decided to “put an end to them without delay.”
The supermarket will remain closed until all required modifications and improvements are implemented to meet hygiene standards. The exact timeline for reopening has not been specified, but Auchan will need to address these critical issues before being allowed to resume operations.
This incident underscores the rigorous enforcement of public health regulations in Paris to ensure the safety of consumers. The prefecture’s swift action aims to prevent any potential health risks associated with contaminated food products.
Source: https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/paris_75056/des-rats-meme-dans-le-frigo-a-fromages-a-paris-un-supermarche-ferme-en-urgence-par-la-prefecture-de-police_64284861.html
