Paris1972-Versailles2003

I like to add a second part to this wonderful monument of my eternal Paris using new text and older pictures, I came to see many wonderful things in Paris some like this one not open to the general public and many more times pictures not allowed except on this one. Some lucky residents do visit  like me visiting the Palais Brongniart. Let me tell you again about the Palais Brongniart of Paris !! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

Actually, at the time I was living there, you can still visited and it is only since 2008 that is off the general public. The architect Alexandre Théodore Brongniart was appointed,to do it , and for reference is also the architect of the famous Lycée Condorcet (high school) and of the plans of the Père-Lachaise cemetery of Paris. The Brongniart Palace, formerly called the Bourse Palace, is a building surrounded by a Corinthian-style peristyle, which hosted the Paris Stock Exchange. It is located in the Vivienne district, in the 2éme arrondissement of Paris. Get there on metro line 3 Bourse. The painting decorations of the ceiling in grilles representing the various cities of France, complemented by a frieze of garlands where are represented the different European stock exchanges.  There are statues of Justice and Europe, the Asia bas-reliefs above the gates.  Fifty years after its construction, the Paris stock Exchange became the second largest in the world after London and with a trend towards internationalization. The peristyle that surrounds the building accommodates the Coulisses, which compete with foreign exchange agents by negotiating the international values.

The original Palais Brongniart palace was done in a neoclassical style, the building originally appeared as a rectangle 69 meters long by 41 meters wide. Placed on a base of 2.60 meters, it is surrounded by a peristyle composed of 64 Corinthian columns. Its metal roof dates from 1815. In 1902-1907, two short wings to the north and south were added by the architect Jean-Baptiste Clavel, giving a Greek cross plan. On the Rue Vivienne side, the steps are flanked by allegorical statues of Commerce done by Augustin Dumont, and Justice done by François Duret, and on the Rue Notre-Dame des Victoires side, by Agriculture done by Charles Seurre, and Industry done by James Pradier. Inside, the main staircase leads to the floor formerly occupied by the former room of the Commercial Court. On this floor, a glazed gallery overlooks the former large trading room or corbeille room located on the ground floor. Among the decorations, grisailles by Abel de Pujol and Charles Meynier depict cities in France.

A key and essential monument of Parisian heritage, the Palais Brongniart was built by the architect Brongniart at the instigation of Napoleon Bonaparte. By laying the first stone in 1808, the Emperor wanted to bring together all stock market activities in one place, a real innovation at the time aimed at optimizing the existing system. Inaugurated in 1826, the place will indeed be the lung of the financial activity of the 19C, favoring the expansion of the railways, the steel industry, and the great industrial adventures, until 1996, date of the closing of the Stock Exchange at the Palais Brongniart. The market exchange shares is managed since 1987, at the banks ‘ premises, outside the Brongniart Palace. The latter then hosted for another twelve years the Contract futures contract on the CAC 40 index, the Matif, until 6 November 1998. The Palais Brongniart is currently a place of conferences, congresses, seminars, receptions, lunches, dinners, cocktail parties, galas, fairs, exhibitions.

It was indeed, the headquarters of the French Stock Exchange for nearly two centuries, the Palais Brongniart now hosts major events in the heart of Paris. This historic site is a privileged place to receive general assemblies, congresses, conferences, conventions, meetings, award ceremonies awards, product launches, exhibitions, receptions, gala dinners and cocktail parties…My trips here were all of the above !

Inaugurated in November 2018, La Place, a new 400 m² space integrated into the Palais Brongniart, is a symbol of the dynamism of Fintechs and a showcase for their innovations. A place open to all, dedicated to sharing major developments that are disrupting uses and revolutionizing the economy. La Place’s mission is to promote meetings between startups, entrepreneurs and investors in the fields of finance, banking and insurance, but also to familiarize the general public with Fintech and new trends in the sector.  

The Palais de Brongniart is closer to home as a wine aficionado. At the Place de la  Bourse, been the old stock exchange of Paris. I came here invited by the magazine La Revue du Vin de France , it is one of the great events of the year. This is an annual event and if you are close and love wines , absolutely do not miss it.  The area around is wonderful with gorgeous walking things to see such as the Opéra Garnier, Place de la République, Palais Royal, Louvre, Church St Eustache, Le Forum Halles, etc etc etc. A glorious walking tour of  Paris indeed. It is the place of management review meetings for my last company every year in 
Paris! This was 4 years in a row! 

The official Palais Brongniart : https://www.palaisbrongniart.com/en

The Paris tourist office on the Palais Brongniart:  https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture/palais-brongniart-p1055

In fact, an anecdote is that the palace of Brongniart is still very fond of the Bonaparte family and that is why it is mentioned on their imperial official authorize page Fondation Napoléon :  https://www.napoleon.org/magazine/lieux/palais-brongniart-bourse-de-paris/

There you go, now you have a better idea of the wonders of Paris even if off hands to the public, there are hundreds like these, just to show Paris is a living open air museum and still many secrets.  The area is wonderfully great for walks eat out and even shop; take a look. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Palais Brongniart of Paris !! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!