In the “Men who Designed Paris” series, we take a look at Victor Baltard. Gustave Eiffel is known for his iron work but there were a few others that came before him.
Born on June 9, 1805, his most notable creation began in the mid 1840’s. While the structures around Les Halles were going up in classic stone structures, it all came to a halt when Napoleon had returned from London after viewing the new lighter metal structures. Napoleon asked Baltard to design something that he had already been thinking about for more than ten years. Overnight Baltard, sketched out a structure that would be built with cast iron, iron, glass and brick, in the much envied home on the corner of Place de Furstemberg and Rue de l’Abbaye.
It would take until 1854 for the building to begin but would finish somewhat quickly with the first few pavilions completed in 1857. In his design instead of using tie-bolts he designed corner brackets that were light and elegant. Sadly Les Halles would later be destroyed but one pavilion can be seen outside of Paris in Nogent-sur-Marne. Closer into Paris you can get an idea of what they looked like at the former cattle market at Villette. Today it is Les Halles de la Villette where large exhibitions are held. The same pretty corner brackets can be found. Two other markets in Paris were created by Victor that still stand today, the Marché Secrétan and the Marché La Chapelle.
When Baltard was a child he attended the Calvinist Temple du Marais with another young man that would leave a mark on Paris, Georges-Eugene Haussmann. When Haussmann began to redesign Paris he asked his old friend to help him out. Promoted to Architect of the Hotel de Ville & churches and then head of the architecture department of the city. As the architect of the churches he oversaw the repair, restoration and maintenance of some of the most beloved churches in Paris.
Saint Germain l’Auxerrois, Saint Eustache, Saint Etienne de Mont, Saint Germain des Prés, Saint Séverin and Saint Paul Saint Louis all benefited from the work of the artist architect. One church would really benefit from his talent, Saint Augustin.