The Paris Exposition Universelle

An opulent celebration of modernity

Alex Q. Arbuckle

1889

The Eiffel Tower viewed from the Champ du Mars. Credit: Aalto University

To mark the 100-year anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, France held a spectacular World’s Fair, called the Exposition Universelle, in 1889.As a welcome for visitors, a colossal entrance arch was constructed near the banks of the Seine: the Eiffel Tower. Dozens of ornate pavilions and exhibition halls were erected across 240 acres, containing displays of art, crafts, industry, machines and new inventions. In addition to showing off French achievements, the exposition also displayed exhibits from around the world, including South America, Africa and Asia.

The Grand Gallery of the various industries. Credit: Aalto University

The Gallery of Beaux-Arts. Credit: Aalto University

The exterior of the Egyptian pavilion. Credit: Aalto University

The Mexican pavilion. Credit: Aalto University

An iron and steel works exhibit. Credit: Aalto University

Visitors strolling between exhibitions. Credit: Aalto University

The Dome of Beaux-Arts. Credit: Aalto University

The pavilion of Great Britain. Credit: Aalto University

The pavilion of Paraguay. Credit: Aalto University

Visitors stroll through north African exhibits. Credit: Aalto University

The pavilion of French Pastellists. Credit: Aalto University

The Prefecture of the Seine exhibit, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Credit: Aalto University

The pavilion of Chile. Credit: Aalto University

Foraging and hunting exhibits. Credit: Aalto University

The Central Dome of the exhibition. Credit: Aalto University

The entrance to the horology exhibition. Credit: Aalto University

The Grand Gallery of the various industries. Credit: Aalto University

The jewelry exhibition. Credit: Aalto University

The pavilion of goldsmithery. Credit: Aalto University

An exhibition of marble sculptures by Jules Cantini. Credit: Aalto University

The entrance to the furniture exhibition. Credit: Aalto University

The pavilion of Brazil. Credit: Aalto University

The entrance to the ceramics exhibition. Credit: Aalto University

The Grand Gallery of the various industries. Credit: Aalto University

The gate for an exhibition of woolen fabrics. Credit: Aalto University

The palace of India. Credit: Aalto University

The Austria-Hungary exhibition. Credit: Aalto University

The entrance to an exhibition hall. Credit: Aalto University

The entrance to an exhibition of French pastellists. Credit: Aalto University

The Japanese pavilion. Credit: Aalto University

The interior of a pavilion. Credit: Aalto University

The pavilion of Venezuela. Credit: Aalto University