Place de la Bourse is one of the most impressive architectural sights you can see in Bordeaux. It faces the Garonne River and features a wide open plaza with a central fountain and reflecting pool. It was so impressive for me to see this plaza in person and so I decided to learn a bit more about the history behind it.
Place de la Bourse Little Known Facts
Here are ten things you may not know about Place de la Bourse!
1. It had a few names prior to Place de la Bourse including Place Royale, Place de la Liberté and even Place Impériale!
![Place De La Bourse Bordeaux](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Place-de-la-Bourse-Bordeaux_20180727_DSC_0777.jpg)
2. The plaza was designed by famous French royal architect, Jacques Gabriel, Chief Architect for the King, since the age of 21!
![Place De La Bourse Bordeaux](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Place-de-la-Bourse-Bordeaux_20180727_DSC_0785.jpg)
3. Gabriel submitted three designs to the Municipal Council of Bordeaux in 1731.
![Place De La Bourse Bordeaux](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Place-de-la-Bourse-Bordeaux_20180727_DSC_0788.jpg)
4. The design that was chosen was reminiscent of an earlier project he had completed in Paris: Place Vendôme! (At the time, it was called Place Louis le Grand). I can certainly see the resemblance.
![Place De La Bourse Bordeaux](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Place-de-la-Bourse-Bordeaux_20180727_DSC_0789.jpg)
5. The central fountain originally featured an equestrian statue of King Louis XV, because in 18th century France, it was considered a sign of loyalty, respect, and patriotism. This statue was destroyed during the French Revolution of 1792.
![Place De La Bourse Bordeaux](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Place-de-la-Bourse-Bordeaux_20180727_DSC_0792.jpg)
6. Today, we see the statue of “Three Graces” in the central fountain, installed in 1869 by Gumery, a Parisian sculptor.
![Place De La Bourse Bordeaux](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Place-de-la-Bourse-Bordeaux_20180727_DSC_0794.jpg)
7. Gabriel finished designing the plaza in 1739, but construction approval did not go through until May of 1742, just two weeks after his death!
![Place De La Bourse Bordeaux](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Place-de-la-Bourse-Bordeaux_20180727_DSC_0797.jpg)
8. Therefore, Ange-Jacques Gabriel, the architect’s son had to take over the project to see out its completion.
![Place De La Bourse Bordeaux](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Place-de-la-Bourse-Bordeaux_20180727_DSC_0798.jpg)
9. The Chamber of Commerce and Commercial Court eventually moved into their new headquarters in 1749.
![Place De La Bourse Bordeaux](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Place-de-la-Bourse-Bordeaux_20180727_DSC_0801.jpg)
10. Today, the Palais de la Bourse functions as an event venue with 17 rooms and state-of-the-art facilities.
I highly recommend visiting Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux during your visit. It’s a majestic treasure in the southwest of France that exudes French elegance!
![Things You May Not Know About Place de la Bourse Bordeaux](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Things-You-May-Not-Know-About-Place-de-la-Bourse-Bordeaux.jpg)
![Things You Probably Didn't Know About Place de la Bourse](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Things-You-Probably-Didnt-Know-About-Place-de-la-Bourse.jpg)
![Place de la Bourse - Most Beautiful Plaza in Bordeaux](https://culturetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Place-de-la-Bourse-Most-Beautiful-Plaza-in-Bordeaux.jpg)