Exchange Palace in Lyon is recognized as one of the most beautiful urban buildings, as well as a symbol of the economic prosperity of the city, which took place in the XIX century. The palace stands on the square in the Cordeliers quarter Presqu'ile.

The exterior of the building combines the features of two architectural styles - baroque and classicism. Its construction began in the middle of the XIX century and lasted four years. Builders decorated facades and balconies, columns, patterns, carved in stone, as well as statues, which represent Justice, Moderation, trade, industry, agriculture. The facade of the palace is also decorated with a bas-relief work Velmara where the river Saone and Rhone depicted as a man and a woman. The author of the project of the palace was the architect René Dardel. At the opening ceremony attended by Emperor Napoleon III and his wife, Empress Eugenie.

Originally planned to place in the palace, in addition to the exchange, several commercial and cultural facilities - museum, ateliers, shops, Chamber of Commerce. In the history of the palace and placed it in the bank Lyon silk merchant company, Commercial Court, now here is the Chamber of Commerce. From the interior of the palace is worth noting the large hall painted, made by painters of Lyon.

Exchange Palace also went down in history as the place to assassinate French President Sadi Carnot, who spoke from the steps of the palace with a solemn speech at the opening ceremony. In 1894, the president lashed out with a knife Carnot Italian anarchist and mortally wounded him. Carnot died a few months before the end of his term, he was a very popular politician and could be elected president again.