Medallion of a pavilion in the central market bearing the coat of arms of the City of Paris and the motto Fluctuat nec mergitur

Anonyme

    • 19e siècle
    • Sculpture
    • Médaillon (sculpture)
    • Alliage
    • Achat
    • EN196

This medallion is one of the rare remaining vestiges of the market at Les Halles, built in the center of Paris by architect Victor Baltard (1805-1874). Decorated with the coat of arms of the City of Paris, it recalls the action of Baron Haussmann, who was named Prefect of the Seine on June 22, 1853. The Latin motto that accompanies it—Fluctuat nec mergitur (“Tossed by the waves but unsinkable”)—is still the same today. In 1971, following the transfer of Les Halles to Rungis, the destruction of the pavilions, which were connected by covered passageways led to heated controversy. Except for a pavilion that was moved to Nogent-sur-Marne, all the buildings were destroyed.

Baltard’s market covered approximately 33 hectares. To build it, 700 tons of iron, two million bricks and 48,000 cubic meters of concrete were required, as well as 600 tons of cast iron for the cellars and 200 tons for the columns. Twelve pavilions were divided into two groups separated by a central street that was open to the sky. Each pavilion housed 350 shops.