Temple du Change

Lyon, France

The Temple du Change or Loge du Change, formerly used for the stock exchange of Lyon, was originally built after plans by architect Simon Gourdet between 1631 and 1653. It was then rebuilt under the direction of Jacques-Germain Soufflot in 1748-1750. It has been assigned to Protestant worship since 1803, hence its designation Temple.

The first Loge du Change was a small classical building with four arches in front and two on each side. It soon became insufficient for Lyon's money exchange, but was not renovated before 1748.

Soufflot provided plans and elevations for its repair, performed by Jean-Baptiste Roche, an architect he had himself introduced. The flanking terraced houses were torn down, which provided the opportunity to significantly enlarge the building, which has a fifth arch in front, providing, instead of a central pier, a central bay as classical usage demands. Behind the façade rises a large room, as high and wide as the building. It is rectangular with an imperial-styled roof supported on four massive pillars. The first-floor facade was completely rebuilt in Soufflot's uncompromising neoclassical style, unusual for the epoch.

During the French Revolution, the building was abandoned. It became an inn for a moment, before being assigned to the Protestants in 1803. Minor changes were made throughout the nineteenth century, particularly on the interior and the furnishings.

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Address

Rue de la Loge 2, Lyon, France
See all sites in Lyon

Details

Founded: 1631/1748
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in France

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Benjamin Hourdé (2 years ago)
I went to the Temple du Change for a concert. The acoustics lent themselves well to singing, much less to spoken text. On the other hand, you can hear all the outside noises, especially those from the street behind. For the rest, it's a temple, it's sober, we're not very well seated, but nothing serious.
Georges Younes (2 years ago)
Temple du Change is currently used as a church for the protestant faith. The building is striking looking from the outside, if only for its central location in the middle of the square called Place du Change. The 17th century building was built to house the Bourse before being converted into a church at the beginning of the 19th century. The building is simple on the inside with hardly any ornamental features.
J L (2 years ago)
Discovery of this place during a concert. Unfortunately the acoustic level for singing is not suitable for enjoying all the musical nuances. The interior is spartan, it deserves a new coat of paint. Too bad that this minimalism did not take into account the "aesthetics" which in no way alters the spirituality; I would even say that he transcended it.
Romain Grondin (2 years ago)
Beautiful church and beautiful acoustics during this show!
David Malleval (4 years ago)
This building is a reformed Protestant church, it was at the time a former stock exchange establishment: the Loge du Change.
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