Palais du commerce

The river Vilaine was canalised in the mid-19th century, with a covered stretch between the Nemours and Berlin bridges that was officially opened in 1912 by the mayor Jean Janvier. An imposing palace was built here between 1885 and 1929 by Jean-Baptiste Martenot and later Emmanuel Le Ray. The building was commissioned by the mayor Edgar Le Bastard to make the southern part of the city more attractive. It originally housed the Trade Exchange and the post and telegraph office.