Victor Baltard

Victor Baltard was a 19th-century French architect famous for his innovative use of iron in building design. He is best known for designing the Saint-Augustin Church in Paris and the historic Les Halles market, which showcased how iron structures could create large, open, and functional spaces. Baltard's work combined practicality with aesthetic appeal, influencing modern architecture by demonstrating that metal frameworks could be both strong and beautiful. His designs helped transition architectural styles from traditional stone to modern iron-and-glass constructions, playing a key role in the development of 19th-century urban architecture.