The « 14 Bergère », emblematic building of 19th century banking architecture in Paris
Along the Grands Boulevards, below Rougemont Street, an astonishing facade stands out like a backdrop. Moving closer, the curious observer discovers the number 14 on Bergère Street, a symbol of 19th-century banking architecture. He is then at the foot
of the building that housed the headquarters of the former Comptoir national d’escompte de Paris since 1852.
The main building, designed and built by the architect Edouard-Jules Corroyer, has been listed in the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments in 1991..
The rapid growth of the CNEP
Since 1846, an economic, political and social crisis has been disrupting the country. To address this, the provisional government of 1848 opens credit institutions in industrial cities.
Supported by a
group of publishers including Louis Hachette, the Comptoir national d’escompte de Paris sets up at the Palais-Royal. The Minister of Finance temporarily releases part of the premises to him.
The institution quickly becomes a major player in the financing of trade and industry.
Finding one’s place in the capital
In 1852, the Comptoir had to vacate the Palais-Royal, which could no longer accommodate it, and signed a lease at 14 rue Bergère, where the Hôtel Rougemont was located, after 18 months of searching. The CNEP has found its headquarters.
The Rue Bergère is ideally located at the heart of the business district: finance, trade, industry, everything is nearby. Initially created to boost Parisian trade, the Comptoir therefore develops rapidly. With the signing of the free trade agreement in 1860 between England and France, the CNEP is authorized to diversify its services in France and internationally by opening bank agencies.
In 1862, 14 Bergère Street becomes the property of the CNEP. The directors of the Comptoir had decided to acquire 56 rue de la Victoire as negotiations with the owner of the hotel on rue Bergère were not progressing. And it is indeed after a final attempt that the CNEP also buys on the 14th at the “very good price of 500 fr. the square meter of land” (as specified in the Minutes of the Ordinary General Meeting of July 31, 1862, file 101AH017).
Architecture as a symbol of the modernity and dynamism of CNEP
The Comptoir is then the third largest credit institution in France. It will equip its headquarters with a major arrangement project by entrusting the architect Edouard-Jules Corroyer, former student of Viollet-Le-Duc, with the arrangement work that will take place from 1878 to 1882. The contemporary press praises the modernity of the building that the architect brought to the forefront of technical progress: electricity, elevator, central steam heating and pneumatic tubes for mail delivery.
From the very beginning, Édouard-Jules Corroyer, born and raised in a family of building artisans, had advocated for the recognition of applied arts as an integral part of architectural work. He therefore hires renowned decorators and ornaments specialists such as the mosaicist Giandomenico Facchina (trained in Venice) and the decorative painter Charles Lameire (specialized in church decoration).
Just like the headquarters of Crédit Lyonnais, 14 Bergère Street symbolizes banking architecture of the 19th century in Paris. The « 3 Antin » of the Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas joined the circle of remarkable headquarters of major banks at the same time.
At the same time, architectural photography is born, in which Louis-Emile Durandelle specializes.
A fabulous blend of technical prowess and masterpiece of applied arts
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Facade
It is indeed the name of BNP Paribas that appears on the front of the building in 2009, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi773-1
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Facade
It is indeed the name of BNP Paribas that appears on the front of the building in 2009, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi773-1
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Walkways above the great skylight
One of the walkways above the great skylight, 2009, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi773-14
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Walkways above the great skylight
One of the walkways above the great skylight, 2009, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi773-14
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Zinc motif on the dome
Corner leaded glass rotunda, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-14
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Zinc motif on the dome
Corner leaded glass rotunda, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-14
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A ridge tile
A ridge tile, also called a finial, in hammered lead, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-15
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A ridge tile
A ridge tile, also called a finial, in hammered lead, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-15
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Clock
One of the 4 clocks signed Collin-Wagner, whose structure is covered with gold leaves, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-1
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Clock
One of the 4 clocks signed Collin-Wagner, whose structure is covered with gold leaves, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-1
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Great door
The great door of 14 Bergère whose ironwork is not without recalling that of the “16 Italians”, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-29
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Great door
The great door of 14 Bergère whose ironwork is not without recalling that of the “16 Italians”, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-29
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Europa
Central medallion of the 5 mosaics symbolizing the 5 continents, Europa, Giandomenico Facchina, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-4-1
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Europa
Central medallion of the 5 mosaics symbolizing the 5 continents, Europa, Giandomenico Facchina, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-4-1
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Océania
First of the 5 medallions on the facade of the “14 Bergère”, Océania, Giandomenico Facchina, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-4-2
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Océania
First of the 5 medallions on the facade of the “14 Bergère”, Océania, Giandomenico Facchina, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-4-2
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Asia
Medallion to the right of that of Europe, Asia, Giandomenico Facchina, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-4-3
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Asia
Medallion to the right of that of Europe, Asia, Giandomenico Facchina, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-4-3
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Africa
Last of the 5 medallions on the facade of the “14 Bergère”, Africa, Giandomenico Facchina, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-4-5
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Africa
Last of the 5 medallions on the facade of the “14 Bergère”, Africa, Giandomenico Facchina, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-4-5
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América
Medallion on the left of that of Europe, America, Giandomenico Facchina, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-4-5
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América
Medallion on the left of that of Europe, America, Giandomenico Facchina, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-4-5
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Metal structure between the 2 skylights
The attic shows the metal structure and the double skylight which ensures both the watertightness and the brightness of the building, 2009, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi773-22
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Metal structure between the 2 skylights
The attic shows the metal structure and the double skylight which ensures both the watertightness and the brightness of the building, 2009, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi773-22
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Metal machinery
Metal machinery of the great skylight, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-24
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Metal machinery
Metal machinery of the great skylight, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-24
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Aimé Millet, sculptor
Registration of the name Aimé Millet, sculptor, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-19
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Aimé Millet, sculptor
Registration of the name Aimé Millet, sculptor, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-19
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Carved flower
Detail of a motif carved in stone by Aimé Millet, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-30
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Carved flower
Detail of a motif carved in stone by Aimé Millet, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-30
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Embossed floral pattern
Detail of a motif carved in stone by Aimé Millet, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-31
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Embossed floral pattern
Detail of a motif carved in stone by Aimé Millet, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-31
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Chiseled face
Detail of a motif carved in stone by Aimé Millet, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-30
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Chiseled face
Detail of a motif carved in stone by Aimé Millet, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-30
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Crest of the CNEP
Crest of the CNEP on a corner post connecting the column to the ceiling, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-36
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Crest of the CNEP
Crest of the CNEP on a corner post connecting the column to the ceiling, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-36
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Marble staircase
Marble staircase leading to the basement, 2009, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi773-93
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Marble staircase
Marble staircase leading to the basement, 2009, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi773-93
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Portrait of Laurent-Antoine Pagnerre
Portrait of Laurent-Antoine Pagnerre, co-founder of CNEP, mosaic, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-40-1
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Portrait of Laurent-Antoine Pagnerre
Portrait of Laurent-Antoine Pagnerre, co-founder of CNEP, mosaic, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-40-1
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Portrait of Hippolyte Biesta
Portrait of Hippolyte Biesta, cofounder of the CNEP, mosaic, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-40-1
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Portrait of Hippolyte Biesta
Portrait of Hippolyte Biesta, cofounder of the CNEP, mosaic, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-40-1
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Portrait of Louis Hachette
Portrait of Louis Hachette, cofounder of CNEP, mosaic, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-40-2
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Portrait of Louis Hachette
Portrait of Louis Hachette, cofounder of CNEP, mosaic, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi461-40-2
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Cap of the staircase
Cap of the staircase leading to the 1st floor, mosaics, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-28
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Cap of the staircase
Cap of the staircase leading to the 1st floor, mosaics, 2011, BNP Paribas Historical archives, 1Fi461-28
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Mosaic decoration where there is a flamingo
Vegetal decoration by the mosaicist Giandomenico Facchina depicting a flamingo, 2009, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi773-48
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Mosaic decoration where there is a flamingo
Vegetal decoration by the mosaicist Giandomenico Facchina depicting a flamingo, 2009, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi773-48
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Mosaic decoration where a peacock
Luxuriant decoration by the mosaicist Giandomenico Facchina depicting a peacock among plants and flowers, 2009, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi773-50
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Mosaic decoration where a peacock
Luxuriant decoration by the mosaicist Giandomenico Facchina depicting a peacock among plants and flowers, 2009, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 1Fi773-50
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From renovations to expansions
In order to expand the Presidency Service, the CNEP gradually acquires the neighboring plots of the Rougemont Hotel and buildings. Thus, the buildings on Conservatoire and Sainte-Cécile streets are integrated into the headquarters.
A second part of the headquarters is built under the direction of the architect François Constant-Bernard between 1900 and 1905. Some rearrangements are made.
From the Rougemont Hotel to the Bergère Island
At the beginning of the 2000s, what is then called the “Bergère Island” brings together several activities within its 26,000m2. Between 2007 and 2009, great rearrangement works aim at adapting to the technical evolutions of the professions.
The renovation takes into account the history of 14 Bergère Street and highlights this symbol of banking architecture. More than 1,700 staff of the asset management activity, led by our subsidiary BNP Paribas Asset Management, will occupy the premises until 2020.
The paintings of Charles Lameire, the mosaics of Giandomenico Facchina and the sculptures of Aimé Millet are still revalued. The glass tile floor of Saint-Gobain in the atrium still reflects the light from the skylight. The offices and training rooms, which have replaced the vaults and securities storage rooms located in the basement, are bathed in its light.
BNP Paribas Historical Archives 12Fi53 et 1Fi73-91
This is the first historic monument rehabilitation project to obtain the HQE (High Environmental Quality) certification.
The « 14 Bergère » entered the estate portfolio of the American investment fund, LaSalle Investment Management, in 2020.
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