Exchange Place, also known as Exchange Alley and Exchange Passage, is a pedestrian zone that was created in 1831 originally as a small street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. Its original name was Passage de la Bourse, or Exchange Passage.^[1] The street was commissioned by the banker and merchant Samuel Jarvis Peters, who thought to build an exchange closer to Canal Street.^[2] It was built in coherence with the Merchants' Exchange Building on Royal Street as it acted as a back entrance. The street has been a hidden alleyway to many shops and restaurants over the years.

Exchange Place Intersects with Canal Street, Iberville Street and Bienville Street, which has contributed to its importance.

Exchange Place originally extended from Canal Street to Toulouse Street, but the portion of it between Conti Street and Toulouse Street no longer exists. Exchange Alley paralleled Chartres Street and Royal Street. Exchange Alley is located on the upriver (or southwestern) side of the French Quarter ^[3]

Exchange place is pronounced /iks-ˈchānj plās/.^[4] Its former French name, passage de la bourse is pronounced /pa-sij-de-lä-bu̇rs/.^[4] This name has French origins in which it can be translated to "Stock Exchange Passage" The name comes from its purpose and use to be a back alley for markets and exchanges.

At the time, Canal Street was the dividing line between the French Quarter's Creoles and the Anglo-Americans on the CBD (Central Business District)/ Uptown Side. Peters wanted the exchange to shift more economic activity to the Anglo-American Portion of the city.^[5][6] The street was designed by architect James Gallier Sr., the Irishman who also worked on other projects such as Gallier Hall, the Pontalba buildings, and St. Charles Hotel. In past years the street has been home to many cafés, saloons, and clubhouses.^[6] The road was populated with architects who talked of art and engineering. On the last block of the alley once stood "Café des Colonnes," built by J.N.B de Pouilly's talented architect. The path was home to some of the most famous fencing instructors, such as Don Jose "Pepe Lulla, Armant Robert Severin, and Basile Croquere.^[6] Young wealthy Creole men would gather to exchange Passage to study under the masters who worked along and near the street.

The street is typically occupied with tourists as the businesses that occupy the alley cater to tourist and temporary guests. The road has become known as a pedestrian mall. Current enterprises include hotels like Wyndham New Orleans- French Quarter and Hotel Monteleone and restaurants like Amorino, Criollo, The Carousel, Justine, Smoothie King, Popeyes, Green Goddess, and Country Flame. The street is also home to convenient and souvenir stores like Walgreens, Logo Gift Shop, and Infrared Sauna Wholesaler. The road is also home to real-estate and commercial property.^[3]

The Exchange Place street falls under the Recovery School District.^{[citation needed]}

• List of streets of New Orleans
• Banks' Arcade