Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hôtel de la Bourse de Bordeaux, also known as Palais de la Bourse, was built between 1742 and 1749 under the direction of architects Jacques Gabriel (father) and then Ange-Jacques Gabriel (son), as part of a larger urban project initiated by the intendant Claude Boucher. This monument is part of the development of the Place Royale (now Place de la Bourse), designed to showcase a statue of Louis XV and accommodate commercial institutions such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Farms of the King (ancestors of customs). The square, bordered by ordered facades, symbolized the economic prestige of Bordeaux, a major port of the eighteenth century.

The building still houses the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and the Commercial Court, although the stock exchange closed in 1990. Its interior architecture is distinguished by a covered courtyard decorated with arcades, wrought iron doors, and fourteen glass lanterns. The eardrums bear trade emblems and the names of the main European squares, reflecting the city's international opening. Two dials (1750), one indicating the hour, the other the direction of the wind (linked to a wheelbarrow), helped traders anticipate the arrival of cargo in the port.

The building suffered two major fires: in 1925 and during an English bombardment in 1940, destroying part of the post-revolutionary archives. Several elements are protected as historical monuments, including the facades (classified in 1916 and 1942), the large stone staircase, and the inner courtyard. The monumental wrought iron door (1773), due to the locksmith Dumaine, and a canvas of Préau (The oath of the judges-consuls) adorning the courtroom of the court, testify to the artistic fascist of the time.

The Place de la Bourse, initially closed by a ironwork grid on the Garonne side, was modified in the 19th century with the construction of the docks (1844–56). During the Revolution, the statue of Louis XV was replaced by a bronze fountain. Today, the palace also serves as a conference space, hosting approximately 150 annual events, while maintaining its historic vocation as a place of economic and judicial power.

External links