Vieille Bourse

The building is in the form of a quadrangle, made up of 24 identical houses enclosing an inner courtyard, which serves as a meeting place for booksellers, florists, chess players and tourists.

[1] During the 19th century restoration, the coats of arms of the large regional companies were installed above the upper windows to commemorate their support.

In 1651 the City of Lille obtained from Philip IV of Spain the authorization to build "a bourse for the use of merchants that will be surrounded and encloses 24 houses".

The city sold the 24 slops of land around the market square to traders, and supported the construction of the galleries, paving the inner courtyard, and the four entryways.

The building was constructed between 1652 and 1653 under the direction of Julien Destrée, in order to offer to the merchants a majestic monument comparable to that of Antwerp.