Work Exchange - Troyes

In the 12th century, there was a grain market on the Place Jean Jaurès. After the construction of a grain market on the Place de la Préfecture , a cloth market was built there in 1837 , known from 1838 as the hosiery market, where manufacturers sold their wares from 65 counters.

On 28 February 1897, the hall was inaugurated politically as a labour exchange. However, as trade changed (the railways made it possible to travel throughout France, the telephone network developed, commission agents and brokers became increasingly important, etc.), the hall lost its usefulness and was closed in 1904.

For 100 years, from 1906 to 2006, the city decided to make the space on the ground floor of the Stock Exchange available free of charge to trade union organisations, mainly the CGT, as well as to tenants' associations and associations to help people who had suffered "accidents in life".

From 1906 , the Bourse du Travail became a meeting place and the starting point for all kinds of demonstrations. The Bourse du Travail experienced some great days, such as 9 April 1911, when Gaston Checq led more than 20,000 demonstrators in the winegrowers' uprising.

In 1932 , a village hall was installed on the 1st floor, complete with stage, where a number of plays were performed , along with boxing galas, flower and painting exhibitions, etc. The Bourse was also used for political meetings , with loudspeakers broadcasting lively debates onto the Place Jean Jaurès, featuring prominent figures such as André Mutter, member of parliament.

In 2006, the city council decided to transform the Bourse du Travail as part of its plan to redevelop and revitalize the city center. According to mayor François Baroin, the new municipal project aims to "give this activity a real economic content by developing a strong and coherent commercial offer in order to increase the commercial attractiveness of the city center".

On 18 October 2014, the press headlined "Bourse du Travail: everything must be redone! During the municipal council meeting of 17 October, the municipality announced that developer Frey had withdrawn from the project. Mayor François Baroin confirmed his determination to find a solution as soon as possible: "We have plans, we have the intention and we will succeed with the Bourse du Travail".

In July 2017, when workers were digging a trench in the garden of the Bourse du Travail, pieces of 2 statues were uncovered, 2 of which had reconstructed heads. They show signs of gilding and polychromy and appear to date from the 16th century.

Finally, in September 2018, after much deliberation, compromise and negotiation, the building permit was granted. Eric Peters, Nicolas Pierre, Grégory and Michel Dufau could finally start work on the Bourse du Travail.

Currently (2024) it is a catering business.

Willem Vandenameele