A stereoview showing the central food market of Paris, Les Halles, with several of Victor Baltard's iron-and-glass pavilions in view, some still under construction as indicated by exposed skeletal framework in the background. In the foreground, open-air market stalls with canvas awnings are arranged in rows, densely packed with produce and vendors, while the twin towers of the church of Saint-Eustache rise above the rooftops in the distance. A masonry fountain or monument stands at the center of the composition, marking the boundary between the covered pavilions and the open market square.
The presence of unfinished pavilion structures alongside completed ones suggests a date during the phased construction of the Baltard markets, which proceeded through the 1850s and 1860s before completion around 1870.
Photographer/publisher: Unknown
Period/date: circa 1858/60
Dimensions: 175 x 85 mm
Condition: Good; overall even sepia toning with mild yellowing of the mount, a printed number label affixed to the upper left corner showing some edge lifting and adhesive staining, light surface soiling, and minor corner wear to the mount. The image itself is stable with no significant tears or losses, though contrast is somewhat muted, consistent with age.
Reverse: No verso scan available.
Keywords: France, Paris, Les Halles, market pavilions, stereoview
Photographer Biography:
No verified biographical information available.
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