The central bay featured an ornate round headed doorway with a keystone, flanked by pilasters, which were adorned by a pair of finely carved figures supporting a balustraded balcony.

[4] The building was also used for public events: on 7 August 1844, the pianist, Franz Liszt, performed a recital there, at a time when Lisztomania was at its height.

[5] In 1847, a fine bronze statue designed by the sculptor, Louis-Joseph Daumas, with four bas-reliefs on the base, was unveiled in front of the building.

The site they selected was on the Avenue de la République on the opposite side of the road to the rear of the old building.

The new building was designed Jean de Mailly in the modern style, built with a concrete core and steel frame and was completed in January 1970.