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This article examines the existence of a financial opposition to the socialist government during the first three years of François Mitterrand’s presidency. The idea was already expressed by the ‘wall of money’ ('mur d'argent’), and illustrated by the experiences of the Left coalition (Cartel des gauches) and the Popular Front in the 1920s and 1930s. However, the question remained unanswered for the 1980s. Vincent Duchaussoy explains the myths and realities of this ‘wall of money’ in the particular context of the early years of the ‘Mitterrand era’. Special attention is given to Banque de France’s key role as leader of this financial opposition in the 1920s. The study of Bank-State relations, particularly via the Treasury department, sheds light on the historical developments of the 1980s.