La Bourse/Opera Tour

Built on the orders of the mighty Napoleon, the La Bourse/Opera Tour is situated in the commercial heart of Paris between the Palais Royal and the Grands Boulevards. Napoleon summoned the famous architect, at that time, Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart (1739-1813) to design the Bourse. Brongniart was popular for his private homes and a theater, and the Hôtel de Condé at that time, and the La Bourse was his final creation. The construction for the Bourse began in 1807 and got completed in 1825. However, Brongniart died in 1813 during the construction of the building, but was succeeded by Labarre in the project.

A visitor would be impressed and in awe of the architecture of La Bourse/Opera Tour, as its striking and imposing at the same time. Brongniart’s use of sixty-four classical Grecian styled columns for the façade of the building adds a touch of grandeur and timelessness to the structure. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that the columns surround the inner building as if protecting it from evil, much in the same way that Greeks constructed columns to protect their temples. These grand Grecian columns are over 10 meters high while the Corinthian peristyle is reminiscent of imperial glory. As you walk past the columns, the inside is arched in Gothic or Roman style and evokes strong memories of the grandeur of the ancient European emperies just like that of the great Napoleon I.

The stocks exchange of any country represents its economic strength and offers a glimpse of its deep pockets. The La Bourse/Opera Tour manages to convey a unique experience with its olden-day architecture that has so easily stood the change design trends of the modern world. Before the Bourse was constructed, the stock trading activities were scattered across several parts of Paris, including the rue Quincampoix, or the rue Vivienne (near the Palais Royal), or the rear of the Opéra Garnier (the Opera House). However, it was only in the early 19th century that the La Bourse was made the stable location for trading.