It started in the same way that a storm in a clear sky somewhere over the south west of France tends to begin. You probably know what I mean: the heat is oppressive, but the sky is cloudless, and all of a sudden - crack! - lightning strikes and heavy rain floods down.

For some months now, tenants at Rungis, and everyone concerned about the future of the market, have been more or less ready for the news: the French government was gearing up to sell a portion of its shares in market authority Semmaris. But nothing came of it. Of course, rumours have always abounded: the most prominent one was the possible involvement of the bank Crédit Agricole last year.

But in less than a fortnight, two major news stories broke. First of all, the French government revealed its decision to sell 33.34 per cent of its shares in the management of the market to Altarea, a company specialising in commercial markets. This will certainly give Semmaris more room to expand, and allow it to capitalise on its evident know-how in wholesale market management.

The second news was of another kind, and in this respect the wholesalers and the market authority are singing from the same song sheet. We all remember back in 2003 the different laws implemented to protect wholesale markets, and the chain of authority built to ensure no wholesale activity could arrive in Paris without its acknowledgement (or refusal).

We also remember that last spring, the German cash and carry giant Metro asked for permission to open an outlet in the capital city. I remember writing at the time in this column that, considering the composition of the ad hoc committee in charge, it would be little wonder if the tender was not accepted. The Rungis authority said no, the committee said no, and therefore the representation of the state in the île de France district issued a decree stipulating the refusal of the settlement.

Everything should therefore be alright - but it is not. This decree has been somehow broken by another one, following Metro’s judicial appeal to a higher authority. And a cash and carry could now open in the north of the town.

The explanation given is that the presence of Metro could actually help Parisian retailers diversify their sourcing. It will come as no surprise to learn that Rungis president Marc Spielrein adamantly condemns the current situation, and so do his wholesalers. Legal action could now be taken to reverse the decision.

So, two major news stories in just one short week - Rungis has not been in the spotlight so much for a very long time.