Best known for the much regretted iron and glass buildings of Les Halles that were ripped down in the 1970s, Victor Baltard also looked after the decoration of the capital’s churches and worked on Hôtel de Ville. Learn all about this artistic architect in the new exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay.

There’s a very good, succinct description of Baltard’s life and work on the Musée d’Orsay site (7 pages, here) that gives an idea of the man’s tenacity (Les Halles took 20 years to finish) and artistry, including his work on the churches at Saint-Germain-des-Prés et Saint-Augustin (with its revolutionary metallic structure).

Not all went well for Baltard permanently though. His project for a central train station near Pont Neuf never came to fruitiion, and Hôtel de Ville, that he worked on in 1848, burned down in 1871, affecting him greatly.

Always ready to bounce back, Baltard continued his career as Paris’ official party organiser. He also continued to be consulted when important new boulevards were cut through the city, like boulevard de Sébastopol in 1858.

The exhibition Victor Baltard (1805-1874). Iron and Paintbrush is at the Musée d’Orsay (here) from 16th October 2012 – 13th January 2013

Open every day except Mondays from 9.30am – 6pm (9.45pm Thursdays)

Closed Xmas day and 1st January

Admission: 9€ / 6.50€

Official site: www.musee-orsay.fr

Facebook: facebook.com/museedorsay

Twitter: twitter.com/MuseeOrsay

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