Westfield Forum des Halles, Shopping center and transportation hub in Les Halles district, Paris, France
The Westfield Forum des Halles is a shopping center with five underground levels beneath a curved glass canopy, housing over 150 stores across approximately 75,000 square meters. The structure connects different floors through open hoppers with beveled edges and features blue marble surfaces throughout.
The site evolved from Victor Baltard's 19th-century iron and glass market pavilions into a modern shopping center inaugurated in 1979. The recent redesign beginning in 2016 modernized the underground complex while maintaining its role as a central hub for the city.
The 2016 renovation introduced a metal and glass canopy structure by Patrick Berger that brings natural light into the underground space and defines how visitors experience the place. The contemporary design sits within the historical context of the Halles district, creating a visual contrast with its surroundings.
The complex connects directly to Châtelet-Les Halles station, which serves about 750,000 daily passengers through five metro lines and three suburban rail lines. Being underground means it is accessible regardless of weather, making it a comfortable place to visit any time of year.
The center features eleven open hoppers with beveled nose plates that create visual connections between different levels, enhanced by blue Savoie marble and mirror-polished surfaces. These design elements allow visitors to perceive the depth of the underground structure and understand how the multiple floors relate to one another.
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