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had a strong influence on Napoleon III
and the renovation of Les Halles Centrales
 Queen Victoria had several links with Cremerie de Paris and the Halles Centrales.  In 1848 the invention of cast plate glass had made it possible to product large sheets of strong glass. This enables the construction of the Crystal Palace build in London for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Crystal Palace created a new structure with an amount of glass never ever seen before in a building. Visitors were amazed, in particular the French Emperor Napoleon III and his wife Emperess Eugenie.  Napoleon III and Eugenie were rivalizing with Queen Victoria and they had the project to make Paris become the world's most beautiful city. After seeing Crysta Palace Napoleon III and Eugenie immediately changed their plans for new Halles Centrales foodmarket. The just constructed first pavillion was demolished and Victor Baltard was asked to present a new project using as much glass as possible.  Queen Victoria and Empress Eugenie of France met when they were both heads of state. In 1870 France lost the Franco Prussian war which resulted in the end of the Second Empire and the exile of Napoleon III and Eugenie. Napoleon III died soon but Eugenie lived for another 50 years. Getting older she became closer to Queen Victoria and they liked to exchange souvenirs about the times in Paris when they were young. And among Eugenies stories were her efforts to make les Halles a beautiful place and many many legends around Cremerie de Paris.  Queen Victoria died a long time ago in 1901, but some of the stories were transmitted through one of her grandaughters who told them to her own children ... The children were of magical beauty ... please click on the picture of the little girl ... more coming soon ... |
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