High definition photos of La Grande Halle in Park Villette Paris
While we were in the 19th Arrondissement of the city we decided to spend some time walking through Parc de la Villette, which is one of the large public park areas in Paris that is now home to many different and very popular attractions, but this area also has a lot of history behind it just like the restored historical building La Grande Halle you can see in these photographs.
HD panoramic photo showing the front facade of the La Grande Halle inside Parc de la Villette Paris
This is a panoramic photo that we took of the Grande Halle, while standing in the square in front of it by the Fontaine aux Lions, and located within the cultural area of Parc de la Villette, plus to the left of the image is the Theatre Paris Villette, whereas to the right is the Pavillon Janvier, which is home to the park administration.
Photo of La Grande Halle illuminated sign and historical clock on the front facade
We took this close up photo showing the name of La Grade Halle, which is illuminated at night and arches over the large clock that was produced by the clockmakers, Mamias, who are also restorers of clocks and clock towers located within historical buildings in France.
This picture shows the south west side of La Grande Halle along Galerie de la Villette
The Parc de la Villette is a modern urban cultural park in Paris with numerous different features and tourist attractions, that came about after the cattle markets were moved to Rungis and the area became derelict, yet some original buildings like the Grande Halle you can see to the left of this image, were saved from destruction.
Originally the La Grande Halle building was a cattle market and slaughter houses
Now La Grande Halle you can see in this photograph was constructed of cast iron and glass, and first opened in 1867 as the main building for the cattle market and slaughter houses, yet when these closed and the area became redundant, the building went into disrepair, yet the Grand Hall was restored to its former glory to be utilised for shows, exhibitions and much more.
Photograph of the glass panels and roof vents along the south side of La Grande Halle
The theme of glass and cast iron, is still the same as when the Grand Hall was first constructed, although certain aspects have been added, like you can see in this photo, which shows a reflection to the wave gallery where we were standing in the shade.
View of the La Grande Halle cobbled walkway down the eastside of the building
Here you can a part of the original structure of La Grande Halle slaughterhouse with its cast iron framework and the underside of the roof, which was once open on all three sides, however, it was the end of an era, when the last cattle went through the building on 15th March 1974.
Photo showing the south corner of La Grande Halle with its large Entree sign
Maintenance is something that has to happen, as you can tell from this photo, yet also you can see the large sign showing the entrance to the Grande Halle, spelt Entree in French, and if you look closely underneath it also shows the way to the restaurant and library located within this historical building.
This picture shows the large open area under the front facade of La Grande Halle
In this photo you can see a view underneath a part of the front open area of La Grande Halle going from one side to the other, which is close to the Fontaine aux Lions du Nubi, which is where the cattle used to drink prior to being taken to this former slaughterhouse.
High definition photo showing one of the cast iron support legs on La Grande Halle in Paris
This particular close up photo we took shows of one of the hundreds of cast iron support legs with its ornate details, and these run through the whole of the La Grande Halle building supporting the roof and other elements, which was classed as an historical monument in Paris back in 1979.
Picture of the Ateliers Villette sign on La Grande Halle
Looking down along the Grand Hall on the side of the Galerie de la Villette, we took this picture showing one of the signs indicating where you would go to get to a specific area within the building, which is beneficial considering this building covers an area of around 20,000 metres squared, and has become the main icon of the Parc de la Villette.
Entrance doors for Ateliers Villette at La Grande Halle inside Parc de la Villette
This is a photo we took showing the entrance to the Ateliers Villette, or Villette workshops for children and adults, which is located in a small part of La Grande Halle, and is on the Westside facing towards the Pavillon Paul Delouvrier and the Theatre Paris Villette.
Photograph of the reflective glass panel walls on the eastside of La Grande Halle
We felt that this photo provides a perspective of how long the Grande Halle truly is, especially when you consider that we were not even at the end of it, and this imposing building is now classed as a national monument of France, yet it is situated within a very modern setting, like one of the red Folies you can also see in this image, and this one is actually called the Antenne de Secours.
View showing the stone cobbled walkways on the Westside of La Grande Halle
Although the Grande Halle has been modernised and turned into an entertainment venue for concerts and other performances, along with hosting exhibitions, etc, in its hay day as a cattle market slaughterhouse, it used to see up to 4,500 cattle pass through daily.
Photo showing La Grande Halle roof light dormer windows along Galerie de la Villette
While looking down the Galerie de la Villette walkway, we took this photo looking down the side of the building called la Grande Halle, which was designed by the architect Jules Merindol in 1865, who was commissioned by Baron Haussmann during the renovation of Paris and the development of a large cattle market in the Villette area.
View of show posters for the Salle Boris Vian auditorium inside La Grande Halle
There is always something different going on at La Grande Halle, like you can see from the posters, with one of these advertising a flamenco show, and although first opened in 1867, it was re-inaugurated as a cultural centre on 5th January 1985, by the French President, Francois Mitterrand.
Photograph of north corner of La Grande Halle building
We took this photo of the north corner of the Grande Halle while standing in front of where Le Hall de la Chanson is located, and to the left of the image over the grass, yet just out of sight, is where you will find the open air cinema, yet behind the glass of the restored cattle market, is an area called the Espace Charlie Parker.
Photo showing the La Grande Halle cast iron architecture
We took this photograph to show some of the original architecture of the Grande Halle that incorporates the cast iron structure with its glass that was designed to be open on three sides and ended up being the largest cattle market in France.
View looking along the front facade of the Grande Halle
While standing underneath the curved structure of the walkway in the Parc de la Villette, we took this photo looking along the front facade of La Grande Halle showing its unusual split level roofs and dormer windows that run along both sides of the building.
Photo showing the central section of La Grande Halle with its clock on the south facade
To discover the historical Grande Halle building for yourself, you will find it located in the 19th Arrondissement of the city inside the Parc de la Villette very close to the Avenue Jean Jaures and the Porte de Pantin Metro stop that serves the Paris metro line 5 and the Tramway line T3b.
