Place De La Bourse, Bordeaux on:
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The Place de la Bourse (, "Stock Exchange Square") is a square in
This square is one of the most representative works of 18th-century neoclassical French architecture. In the north stood the Palais de la Bourse (current Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bordeaux) and in the south the Hotel des Fermes (now Interregional Directorate of Customs and Indirect Rights, which houses the National Museum of Customs). The sculptures represent Minerve protecting the arts and Mercury favoring the commerce of the city.
In 2007, it was included on the
The Place de la Bourse (, "Stock Exchange Square") is a square in Bordeaux
Bordeaux ( ; ; Gascon language, Gascon ; ) is a city on the river Garonne in the Gironde Departments of France, department, southwestern France. A port city, it is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, as well as the Prefectures in F ...
, France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
, and one of the city's most recognisable sights. Built from 1730 to 1775 along the river Garonne
The Garonne ( , ; Catalan language, Catalan, Basque language, Basque and , ;
or ) is a river that flows in southwest France and northern Spain. It flows from the central Spanish Pyrenees to the Gironde estuary at the French port of Bordeaux †...
, it was a multi-building development designed by the architect Jacques Gabriel
Jacques Gabriel (1667 – 23 April 1742) was a French architect, the father of the famous Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Jacques Gabriel was a designer, painter and architect of the 17th and 18th centuries and one of the most prominent designers of t ...
and his son Ange-Jacques Gabriel
Ange-Jacques Gabriel (; 23 October 1698 – 4 January 1782) was the principal architect of King Louis XV of France. His major works included the Place de la Concorde, the École Militaire, and the Petit Trianon and opera theater at the Palace of ...
. It is within the historic part of the city that has been recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage List
World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection under an international treaty administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural heritag ...
as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century.
History
The Place de la Bourse was designed between 1735 and 1738 byJacques Gabriel
Jacques Gabriel (1667 – 23 April 1742) was a French architect, the father of the famous Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Jacques Gabriel was a designer, painter and architect of the 17th and 18th centuries and one of the most prominent designers of t ...
, and built by his son Ange-Jacques Gabriel
Ange-Jacques Gabriel (; 23 October 1698 – 4 January 1782) was the principal architect of King Louis XV of France. His major works included the Place de la Concorde, the École Militaire, and the Petit Trianon and opera theater at the Palace of ...
, the principal architect of King Louis XV
Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (), was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. Until he reached maturity (then defi ...
. In the original plan, a statue of Louis XV was erected on the square, which was destroyed during the French Revolution. After the statue's removal, a Tree of Liberty was planted, and after the Restoration, a Corinthian column-fountain was built on the square. Finally, in 1869 the ''Three Graces'' sculpture was installed in the same location.
Design of the surrounding buildings was completed by Jacques Gabriel
Jacques Gabriel (1667 – 23 April 1742) was a French architect, the father of the famous Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Jacques Gabriel was a designer, painter and architect of the 17th and 18th centuries and one of the most prominent designers of t ...
in 1739; the project was issued for construction two weeks after the architect's death. His son Ange-Jacques Gabriel
Ange-Jacques Gabriel (; 23 October 1698 – 4 January 1782) was the principal architect of King Louis XV of France. His major works included the Place de la Concorde, the École Militaire, and the Petit Trianon and opera theater at the Palace of ...
was then put in charge and finished the buildings' construction.
Architecture
This square is one of the most representative works of 18th-century neoclassical French architecture. In the north stood the Palais de la Bourse (current Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bordeaux) and in the south the Hotel des Fermes (now Interregional Directorate of Customs and Indirect Rights, which houses the National Museum of Customs). The sculptures represent Minerve protecting the arts and Mercury favoring the commerce of the city.
In 2007, it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List
World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection under an international treaty administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural heritag ...
as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century.
References
{{Coord, 44.8415, N, 0.5700, W, source:wikidata-and-enwiki-cat-tree_region:FR, display=title Squares in Bordeaux Odonyms referring to a building