The Spectacular World’s Fair Exposition Universelle in Rare Pictures, 1899

The Eiffel Tower viewed from the Champ du Mars.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The 1889 World Fair in Paris was symbolically important, since the year 1889 marked the hundredth anniversary of the French Revolution, and the Fair was announced as a celebration of the event. It attracted more than thirty-two million visitors. The most famous structure created for the Exposition, and still remaining, is the Eiffel Tower.

h/t: rarehistoricalphotos

The Gallery of Beaux-Arts.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle covered a total area of 0.96 km2, including the Champ de Mars, the Trocadéro, the quai d’Orsay, a part of the Seine and the Invalides esplanade. Transport around the Exposition was partly provided by a 3 kilometre (1.9 mi) 600 millimetre (2 ft 0 in) gauge railway by Decauville. It was claimed that the railway carried 6.342.446 visitors in just six months of operation.

The exterior of the Egyptian pavilion.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The countries which officially participated in the Exposition were Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, the United States, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Japan, Morocco, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Persia, Saint-Martin, El Salvador, Serbia, Siam, the Republic of South Africa, Switzerland, and Uruguay, The British dominions of New Zealand and Tasmania also took part.

The Mexican pavilion.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

Because of the theme of the Exposition, celebrating the overthrow of the French monarchy, nearly all European countries with monarchies officially boycotted the Exposition. The boycotting nations were Germany, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Spain, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, and Sweden.

Nonetheless, many citizens and companies from these countries did participate, and a number of countries had their participation entirely funded by private sponsors.

An iron and steel works exhibit.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

Visitors strolling between exhibitions.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

Paris Exposition, view from ground level of the Eiffel tower with Parisians promenading, 1889.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

La Galerie des Machines. 1899.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The Dome of Beaux-Arts.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The pavilion of Great Britain.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The pavilion of Paraguay.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

Visitors stroll through north African exhibits.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The pavilion of French Pastellists.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The Prefecture of the Seine exhibit, with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

Foraging and hunting exhibits.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The Central Dome of the exhibition.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The entrance to the horology exhibition.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The Grand Gallery of the various industries.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The jewelry exhibition.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The pavilion of goldsmithery.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

An exhibition of marble sculptures by Jules Cantini.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The entrance to the furniture exhibition.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The pavilion of Brazil.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The entrance to the ceramics exhibition.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The Grand Gallery of the various industries.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The gate for an exhibition of woolen fabrics.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The palace of India.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The Austria-Hungary exhibition.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The entrance to an exhibition hall.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The entrance to an exhibition of French pastellists.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The Japanese pavilion.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The interior of a pavilion.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The pavilion of Venezuela.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The pavilion of Chile.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

The Grand Gallery of the various industries.

AALTO University/Brown University Library Center

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to Design You Trust Facebook page.

More Inspiring Stories

Introducing Freka - World's First Ergonomic Facewear Crafted for an Enhanced Breathing Experience

Breathtaking Views Of The World That Will Make You Dizzy With Wonder

Unusual and Creative Staircase Designs

Michael Cheval's Vibrant Masterpieces Reveal the Hidden Strangeness of Our Existence

This Super Tiny Cabin Lets People Sleep In The Mountains Under The Stars

Toward A Concrete Utopia: Brutalist Yugoslavian Architecture

Brazilian Architect Draws Buildings Inspired By Everyday Objects

This Dutch Museum is Covered in Grass and Has a Rooftop Walkway

Paper Models Of The Most Controversial Buildings Erected Behind The Iron Curtain

Beautiful Colorized Photos of Helsinki, Finland in the 1930s

Beautiful Vintage Art Nouveau Posters by Henri Privat-Livemont

Outdoor Exhibition Shows Latest from Zeng Mi

Space Colony Art from the 1970s

Impressive and Sensual Oil Paintings by Gabrielle Dobrzelewski

Spectacular Street Photography Winners from the 2025 AAP Magazine Awards

Arnold Genthe’s Cats : Women Posing With ‘Buzzer’ From A Century Ago

Spectacular Winners from the 2025 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards

Soorebane (Bog Fox): The First Designer Power Line in Estonia

The Bridge To Nowhere: Belhaven Bridge

New York Over 35 Years Ago – 55 Color Snapshots Show The Most Populous City In The United States In 1980

Finally, 2023 Sarcastic Vintage Calendar Is Here!

The 1958 Plymouth Tornado Concept Car Has Been Found And Restored

Vintage Photos of Cars During Winter in the 1950s and ’60s

Motion Designer Uses A Video Editing Program To Bring Old Photos To Life

These Tiny Bubble Domes Let You Sleep Under The Stars

Early-20th-Century Haunting Portraits of Dr. Harvey Cushing's Surgery Patients

'Slinky Springs to Fame' Bridge Built in Oberhausen, Germany

This 1958's General Motors Firebird III Looks Like A Future Spaceship

Green Leaves Powered Writer’s Shed By Matt Gibson Architecture + Design

Sea Monkeys, X-Ray Specs, and the Twisted Secret Behind Vintage Ads from American Comic Books