The Paris World Exposition 1867
Bright spring sun of the first of April

Year: 1867 City: Paris Country: France Duration: 1st April - 3rd November 1867

1  Copyright: L'Illustration, Nr. 1272, 13.7.1867, S. 21f

"The bright spring sun of the first of April, that day of the year which among some peoples is otherwise treated with such suspicion and derision, shone so merrily and cheerfully on Paris and on the opening of the 'Universal Exhibition' of 1867. The countless national flags of the iron industry colosseum and the imperial eagle of France fluttered and gleamed in the suddenly blue and bright spring air, and on the straight-as-an-arrow, newly washed streets, where the uniforms of the French cavalry glistened in a rainbow of colours, the crowds made their way to this largest palace of our time, larger than Escorial and Alhambra, than the Colosseum of ancient Rome or the massive St. Peter´s cathedral. The opening of a temple of human diligence and wealth of ideas was to take place, a cult of the genius of humanity. However, as a result of the arrangements which had been made, that on the palace areas affected by the imperial procession, only people in full dress with special tickets were authorised, and because of the high day ticket price of 20 francs per person and other such devices, the attendant public was one which was appropriate and select to this exclusive festive occasion.

In all of this, the iron palace was resplendent with a surprising improvised ornamentation of flowers, flags, pennants and other decorations, and the arrangements which were, so to speak, carried out overnight, documented yet again with a magnificent example the world famous ability in the art of decoration which the French undoubtedly possess. And so, at two o´clock in the afternoon, as the emperor Louis Napoleon, with his wife on his arm, proceeded on his festive promenade through parts of the great palace, the General Exhibition of 1867 was opened. This was as much an act of global historical significance – should God so wish – as it was full of blessed consequences for all civilised peoples who eat their bread with pleasure and willingness through the sweat of enlightened and worthwhile work, and at the same time indefatigably strive to enhance and improve their lives through an ever greater wealth of ideas."

Source: H.L. in: Deutsche Ausstellungszeitung No. 3, Saturday 6 April 1867