La BGL, l'architecture d'un siège dans une ville en mutation

in Hemecht: Zeitschrift für Luxemburger Geschichte (2023), 75(1), 128

The Banque Générale du Luxembourg (BGL), established in 1919, is one of Luxembourg’s iconic financial institutions. Drawing on the bank’s private archives, this article explores the many architectural ... [more ▼]

The Banque Générale du Luxembourg (BGL), established in 1919, is one of Luxembourg’s iconic financial institutions. Drawing on the bank’s private archives, this article explores the many architectural changes made to the BGL headquarters over the years, ranging from extensions and renovations to new building projects. Throughout the bank’s history – and especially from its establishment until the late 1980s –, the buildings that housed its head office in the centre of Luxembourg City went through multiple transformations. The architectural history of the headquarters is not only intricately linked with the history of the bank and the image it sought to portray; it is also a key chapter in the growth of the Luxembourg financial centre and reflects the wider urban development of Luxembourg City. While the first head office was still characterised by classical architectural features, its transformation towards a more functional, vertical aesthetic in the 1960s had a lasting impact on the city centre landscape: the BGL was one of the first financial institutions to engage in a radical overhaul of its headquarters on boulevard Royal. [less ▲]

Le siège de la BGL - une banque et son architecture​ ​

Presentation (2021, November 16)

L'histoire architecturale du siège de la Banque Générale du Luxembourg (BGL), est intimement liée à l’histoire urbanistique de la ville de Luxembourg. Le choix du quartier, du boulevard ou de la rue dans ... [more ▼]

L'histoire architecturale du siège de la Banque Générale du Luxembourg (BGL), est intimement liée à l’histoire urbanistique de la ville de Luxembourg. Le choix du quartier, du boulevard ou de la rue dans lequel la Banque va s'implanter a toute sa signification et n’est pas dû au hasard. Les choix architecturaux, l’emplacement d’un siège deviennent-ils alors des éléments qui contribuent à façonner l'identité d'une banque ? Ou est-ce que les mutations urbaines et les évolutions du secteur bancaire influencent-elles le style de la construction ? Tout au long de son histoire, depuis ses débuts en 1919 jusqu’à nos jours, les bâtiments du siège de la BGL situés dans le centre-ville et au Kirchberg ont connu plusieurs vies pour rester compétitifs dans un monde bancaire qui se crée et se cherche. Concomitant à l’émergence de la place financière dans le paysage urbain luxembourgeois, la Banque a dû aussi continuellement se réinventer. À travers un siècle riche en événements, le narratif que les dirigeants de la Banque ont souhaité véhiculer à travers la dimension architecturale du siège a donc aussi évolué. Il fallait bien évidemment se démarquer de la concurrence, des autres institutions financières établies dans des bâtisses plus ou moins prestigieuses. Les multiples mutations architecturales du siège, qu’il s’agisse d’agrandissements, de transformations ou de reconstructions, en témoignent. [less ▲]

BGL: L’histoire d’un siècle

Computer development (2019)

L’exposition retrace l’histoire de BGL BNP Paribas depuis ses débuts en 1919 jusqu’à nos jours, ainsi que son rôle et sa participation dans l’économie et le développement du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg ... [more ▼]

L’exposition retrace l’histoire de BGL BNP Paribas depuis ses débuts en 1919 jusqu’à nos jours, ainsi que son rôle et sa participation dans l’économie et le développement du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg. Intitulée « BGL: L’histoire d’un siècle », l’exposition a été conçue et mise en œuvre en collaboration avec le Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH) de l’Université du Luxembourg. Elle a comme but de donner une représentation moderne et didactique de l’histoire sur un support digital accessible à un public très large. L’exposition propose à l’utilisateur différentes possibilités pour découvrir des sujets variés: un aperçu chronologique en forme de ligne de temps interactive ancrant l’histoire de la banque dans le contexte politique et socio-économique de l’époque, une carte évolutive des implantations de la banque au fil du temps, et des dossiers thématiques portant sur l'architecture, la marque et les métiers de la banque. Pour réaliser ce projet, les chercheurs de l’université ont eu accès aux archives de la banque et ont compilé toute une documentation comprenant des textes, documents, images, photos et vidéos. Le projet de recherche est également lié à la réalisation d’une thèse de doctorat sur l’histoire de BGL BNP Paribas au Luxembourg. Il revêt en effet une pertinence scientifique importante pour l’historiographie du pays vu le rôle important de catalyseur joué par BGL BNP Paribas à la fois dans l’économie luxembourgeoise et dans le développement de la place financière du Luxembourg. [less ▲]

La confrontation Est-Ouest: une analyse d’images de la guerre froide

Presentation (2018, November 19)

Ce séminaire s’est focalisé sur l’examen des problématiques posées par la confrontation Est-Ouest et proposait une analyse critique d’images de la guerre froide à l’aide d’un outil numérique.

Les grands conflits de la guerre froide: une présentation multimédia et interactive

Presentation (2018, March 26)

Présentation multimédia et interactive sur la confrontation Est-Ouest et les grands conflits de la guerre froide depuis 1945 sur la base de documents d'archives d'époque.

Ressources numériques pour enseigner la décolonisation en lien avec le processus d’intégration européenne

Speeches/Talks (2017)

700 ressources multimédias (documents d'archives, articles de presse, photos, caricatures, cartes) pour retracer les décolonisations française et britannique, et leur influence sur le processus de ... [more ▼]

700 ressources multimédias (documents d'archives, articles de presse, photos, caricatures, cartes) pour retracer les décolonisations française et britannique, et leur influence sur le processus de construction européenne. [less ▲]

Decolonisation: geopolitical issues and impact on the European integration process

E-print/Working paper (2016)

The ePublication ‘Decolonisation: geopolitical issues and impact on the European integration process’ explores the key moments in the disintegration of the European colonial empires, with a particular ... [more ▼]

The ePublication ‘Decolonisation: geopolitical issues and impact on the European integration process’ explores the key moments in the disintegration of the European colonial empires, with a particular emphasis on French and British decolonisation, and looks at how this process of decolonisation influenced the European integration process. The ePublication begins by outlining the main stages in decolonisation after 1945, illustrated by specific examples. The Cold War and the increasing international condemnation of colonialism provided conditions that were ripe for indigenous peoples to gradually loosen the ties binding them to a Europe that was drained and in ruins following the Second World War. At the same time, the creation of the European Community forced the European powers to reconcile their overseas and European policies. The emergence of Third-World countries in the international arena changed relations between Europe and its (former) colonies and raised the question of a Community development aid policy. This ePublication therefore goes on to examine the debates that led in 1957 to the association of the overseas countries and territories (OCTs) with the European Economic Community (EEC), then to the signing of the Yaoundé Convention in 1963 and the Lomé Convention in 1975. A particular strength of the ePublication is the compilation and analysis of a rich, varied selection of more than 700 resources, including archive documents, press articles, correspondence, extracts from memoirs, photos and cartoons. [less ▲]

The ‘Franco-German duo’ and Europe as seen in cartoons (1945–2013)

E-print/Working paper (2014)

The ePublication ‘The “Franco-German duo” and Europe as seen in cartoons (1945–2013)’ uses French and German press illustrations to explore the joint action of successive French Presidents and German ... [more ▼]

The ePublication ‘The “Franco-German duo” and Europe as seen in cartoons (1945–2013)’ uses French and German press illustrations to explore the joint action of successive French Presidents and German Chancellors as the driving force of European integration. The rapprochement that began in the early years after the Second World War between France and Germany, two countries that had been long-standing enemies, followed a unique path. The image of a ‘Franco-German duo’ and the pair’s actions have proved an unending source of inspiration for French and German Press cartoonists. It shows how they have experienced, perceived and illustrated this Franco-German partnership, which has continued to evolve during the turbulent history of European integration. This comparative analysis reflects the convergences and divergences within this unique pairing and demonstrates the ever-changing balance of power within the partnership. The cartoons also reveal the fact that there is often a discrepancy between official photos and the reality of the Franco-German relationship. Although the Franco-German duo and its ability to act for the organisation of Europe have at times proved fragile, with periods of tension but also of continuity, the relationship between the various West German Chancellors and French Presidents has made an often decisive contribution to the pursuit and revival of European integration. Over 400 cartoons published in the French and German press reflect the key moments in Franco-German relations and emphasise how this ‘marriage of convenience’ between two leaders has influenced the European integration process, illustrating both the successes and failures of the duo. The selected cartoons provide an often cheeky, sarcastic interpretation of the Franco-German duo, that special relationship, which, despite its periods of tension and crisis, has always bounced back and has often served as a driving force for European unification. The cartoons reflect the two leaders’ attitudes to the challenges of the European integration process, painting an often humorous but at times openly critical picture of this bilateral relationship. [less ▲]

Inventory of the institutional sources consulted for the research corpus 'A rereading of the Werner Report of 8 October 1970 in the light of the Pierre Werner family archives'

E-print/Working paper (2013)

This Inventory of institutional sources consulted is an output of the major research project dedicated to the European vocation and achievements of Pierre Werner, a former Prime Minister, Finance Minister ... [more ▼]

This Inventory of institutional sources consulted is an output of the major research project dedicated to the European vocation and achievements of Pierre Werner, a former Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, unanimously recognised as one of the architects of Economic and Monetary Union. The first stage of the research was particularly focused on the plan for the establishment by stages of an economic and monetary union (more widely known as the Werner Report or the Werner Plan), drawn up by a group of experts chaired by Pierre Werner and officially presented on 8 October 1970 in Luxembourg. [less ▲]

Index of Personnalities Names_Research corpus 'A rereading of the Werner Report of 8 October 1970 in the light of the Pierre Werner family archives'

E-print/Working paper (2013)

This Index of Personnalities with their short biographie is an output of the major research project dedicated to the European vocation and achievements of Pierre Werner, a former Prime Minister, Finance ... [more ▼]

This Index of Personnalities with their short biographie is an output of the major research project dedicated to the European vocation and achievements of Pierre Werner, a former Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, unanimously recognised as one of the architects of Economic and Monetary Union. The first stage of the research was particularly focused on the plan for the establishment by stages of an economic and monetary union (more widely known as the Werner Report or the Werner Plan), drawn up by a group of experts chaired by Pierre Werner and officially presented on 8 October 1970 in Luxembourg. [less ▲]