Les Halles was Paris’ central fresh food market. Victor Baltard designed the famous glass and iron hall that housed Les Halles for over a century and became one of the landmarks in Paris; it would last until the 1970s. It has been completely remodeled into a food market, as it was called in Émile Zola’s novel Le Ventre de Paris, which is set in the busy market of the 19th century.
In 1971, Les Halles was dismantled because the merchant stalls could not compete in the new market economy. In addition, they needed extensive repairs. The colorful atmosphere once associated with the bustling area of merchant stalls disappeared. The Westfield Forum des Halles replaced the mall, a modern shopping mall built largely underground and directly connected to the vast transportation hub of Châtelet – Les Halles.
Take a look at these stunning photos of Les Halles market in the 1950s.
