Bourse du Travail, Art Deco labor hall in Bordeaux, France
Bourse du Travail is a trades hall built in Art Deco style that occupies an entire city block in Bordeaux. It features five ornate doors with wrought iron gates, each displaying symbols of different professions and crafts.
Mayor Adrien Marquet commissioned the building in 1934 to house around 60,000 union members. Construction finished in May 1938, becoming an important symbol for the labor movement in the city.
The main hall displays frescoes by Bordeaux School artists depicting local labor, port activities, and regional traditions. These murals tell stories of the working people and trades that shaped the city.
The building houses the Salle Ambroise Croizat, a multipurpose hall accommodating around 1,300 people. Today it remains open for various public events and provides visitors with the chance to explore its interior spaces and artistic details.
The facade is decorated with symbolic statues and bas-reliefs created by sculptor Alfred Janniot, representing craftsmanship and labor. This blend of concrete construction with artistic sculptural elements makes the building a distinctive example of how functional architecture can celebrate working skills.
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