Paris - Forum Les Halles - 1er

Plate XXIII - Forum Les Halles…

Many Parisians lamented the disappearance of the old market from the centre of the city as the passing of an era. The dismantling of the Victor Baltard designed iron and glass arches of the old market in 1971 following its move to Rungis, and the RER station construction on the site left a literal hole in the ground of the old Les Halles, rather ironical for a market place Parisians once called ‘le trou’ (the hole). This was eventually filled by the partially underground shopping centre of the Forum des Halles, opened in 1979. Most surrounding streets have been closed and pedestrianised and relaxing gardens laid around the environs. It is here also that you will find the Musée Grévin – to use another London parallel - Paris’ answer` to Madame Tussauds. The waxworks, I find are equally diabolical.

Parisians still seem to hate the Forum, so who am I to question why?