1.
GV Pavilion at Les Halles
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GV INTERIOR..PAN..pavilion
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3.
SCU Posters on wall
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4.
GV INTERIOR..pavilion
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5.
LV Workman removes sections of roof
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GV ZOOM IN TO.. pavilion rooftop with men stripping roof (3 shots)
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7.
GV Road-side cafe in Les Halles
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8.
GV PAN..over whole Les Halles complex
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Initials ES. 1552 ES.14.04



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Demolition of one of France's best known architectural curiosities, Les Halles, markets central Paris, began on Monday (2 August) despite an international campaign to save it. However, a reprieve for at least one of the pavilions was announced in Paris on Monday (2 July). It is to be dismantled and then rebuilt elsewhere.

The ten pavilions of Les Halles, known as "the belly of Paris" because of the prodigious amounts of vegetables, fruit, and meat that passed through it daily, were built in the 1850's by Napoleon III's architect, Victor Baltard.

All but meat section of Les Halles, one of the few remaining examples of 19th century iron and glass architecture in Europe, closed two years ago. Workmen have already removed all of the improvised structures, theatres, art galleries, and zoos, that have shared the pavilions with the fairs in the interval since the vegetable wholesalers moved out.

The demolition has been hotly opposed by French and foreign conservationists. The Paris City Council took its final decision to destroy six of the ten pavilions to make way for two express underground railway stations, and various new buildings including a museum of modern art.