Bourse du travail de Paris, Labor union headquarters in 10th arrondissement, Paris, France
The Bourse du Travail is a five-story neoclassical building with Corinthian columns and a prominent clock adorning its Renaissance-inspired facade on rue du Château d'Eau. Inside, multiple meeting rooms provide spaces where union groups and workers hold regular gatherings and discussions.
The building was designed and constructed between 1888 and 1896 by architect Joseph-Antoine Bouvard to serve as a labor exchange and union organizing center. In August 1944, during Paris's liberation, workers reclaimed it from occupation, an act commemorated by a plaque on its outer wall.
The building serves as a central meeting place for Paris labor unions and workers who gather here to discuss shared concerns and coordinate activities. It remains a symbol of worker organizing and collective action in French society.
The building is open to visitors on weekdays, allowing you to explore its architecture and interior spaces. Visit in the morning when union activities are most active to experience the working atmosphere and daily rhythm of the space.
A distinctive clock crowns the building's facade, a rare architectural detail from that era that catches the eye of passersby. This timepiece serves not only as a practical element but also as a recognizable landmark that makes the building stand out on the street.
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