Bordeaux Famous Architecture Walk

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1 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 - Bordeaux Famous Architecture Walk Bordeaux is classified as a "City of Art and History". The city has been included in UNESCO World Heritage List as "a great urban and architectural ensemble". Bordeaux is one of Europe's largest and most original 18th century architectural center. Don't miss the opportunity to tour the most famous architecture in Bordeaux. Guide Location: France» Bordeaux # of Attractions: 8 Tour Duration: 2 hour(s) Travel Distance: 3.4 km Please note: This walk is also featured in the ios app "Bordeaux Map and Walks" on itunes App Store and the Android app "Bordeaux Map and Walks" on Google Play. The apps provide GPS navigation to guide you from one tour stop to the next, so you will never be lost. The apps offer additional walking tours in Bordeaux. Check them out! GPSmyCity offers self-guided walking tours in over 1,000 city around the world. Please visit gpsmycity.com for more walking tour offers. List of attractions included in this self-guided walking tour: A) Palais Rohan B) Grand Theatre de Bordeaux C) Les Alees de Touny D) Monument aux Girondins E) Place de la Bourse F) Place du Parlement G) Porte Cailhau H) Pont de Pierre Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 -

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3 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 - A) Palais Rohan (must see) The Palais Rohan is Bordeaux s City Hall building. It is located on Place Pey Berland, next to the city s Saint Andre Cathedral. Completed in 1784, the Palais Rohan is one of South West France s finest municipal buildings. Parts of it date to the medieval times, when the building served as a palace for the city s archbishop hence its location adjacent to the cathedral. The renovations that created the building you can see today began in 1771, under the direction of Archbishop Ferdinand Maximilien Meriadec de Rohan. After completion some thirteen years later, the palace was renamed in his honor. The Palais Rohan stands at the heart of the Hotel d Ville quarter, an area named after the palace s modern role as the town hall. It was largely funded by Archbishop Rohan, and designed by Boffin, the city architect at the time of building. The palace interior contains many remarkable decorative features that were typical of the elaborate Bordelais style of the era. Sculpted woodwork, trompe d oeil paintings by Lacour, and a grand central staircase can all be found within this beautifully preserved building. The interior can be viewed on a French language guided tour each Wednesday, organized by the Bordeaux tourist office. Address: Place Pey-Berland, Bordeaux, France Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Dominique Cazeaux. Sight description based on wikipedia B) Grand Theatre de Bordeaux (must see) The Grand Theatre de Bordeaux is located on a grand square, adjacent to Rue Esprit des Lois, in the city s cultured Grands Hommes quarter. Inaugurated in 1780, it was designed by renowned French architect, Victor Louis. Louis won the commission after earning the Grand Prix de Rome, a scholarship scheme for gifted young artists and architects. The young architect went on to design the famous Theatre Francais in Paris. Victor Louis vision for the Grand Theatre in Bordeaux was certainly ambitious conceived as a temple of the Arts, it has a wide portico entrance, complimenting the building s Neoclassical design. The entrance features 12 colossal Corinthian style columns. Each column is topped with a statue, representing the nine Muses and three Goddesses Juno, Venus and Minerva. Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 -

4 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 - The theater's interior is arguably equal to its spectacular exterior. Recently renovated, its vast auditorium has been repainted in its original colors of blue, white and gold the traditional colors of French royalty. Superbly preserved, it is one of the last remaining wooden framed theaters in Europe. Once a temporary seat for the French Parliament, it is now home to two of the city s most esteemed theatrical groups the National Opera and National Ballet of Bordeaux. Address: The Grand Theatre, Bordeaux, France Image Courtesy of Flickr and filtran. Sight description based on wikipedia C) Les Alees de Touny Les Alees de Touny is a 265 meters long alley, bordered on one side by buildings with Louis XV style facades. And beautiful nineteenth century houses are alined on the other side of the alley. Address: Les Alees de Toumy, Bordeaux, France Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Bordeaux at de.wikipedia. Sight description based on wikipedia D) Monument aux Girondins (must see) The Monument aux Girondins is one of Bordeaux s most distinctive landmarks. A statue atop a 43 metre high column, it is completed at the base by an ornate fountain, cast in bronze. It can be found on the Esplanade de Quinconces, a wide promenade next to the River Garonne. The monument is a tribute to the Girondins, a political group that has roots in the Gironde department, of which Bordeaux is the capital. An affiliation of radical intellectuals, they were intrinsic to the wave of anti-royal feeling which swept France in the 18th century. Eventually, the movement swept beyond their control, with the outbreak of revolution. The monarchy was overthrown, and divisions grew between Paris and provincial France. The Girondins rival political group, the Montagnards, assumed power and called for the execution of the group s ringleaders. They famously sang rather death than slavery, when facing the guillotine, Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 -

5 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 - and became martyrs for the cause of free and peaceful France. The statue at the top of the column represents Freedom breaking out of his shackles. The Girondins, a source of great local pride, share this public space with statues of Charles Louis de Montesquieu and Michel de Montaigne, two other popular local figures. Address: Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux, France Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Alexandre Duret-Lutz. Sight description based on wikipedia E) Place de la Bourse (must see) Place de la Bourse and the magnificent building standing here are situated near the Garonne River. The design of the edifice, of its arched facade and the gorgeous fountain in front represents a perfect combination of several architectural ideas making this place one of the main attractions of the city. Today, Place de la Bourse houses the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Address: Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux, France Image Courtesy of Flickr and Dennis Jarvis. Sight description based on wikipedia F) Place du Parlement (must see) The Place du Parlement is linked by Rue Philippart to the Place de la Bourse, one of the city s most famous sights, which is known for reflecting in the Garonne at night a feature known locally as the water mirror. Place du Parlement is less well known, but is perhaps a more central location for the Bordelais themselves it is known for its many bars, restaurants and cafes, with terraced seating surrounding the edge of the square. The name itself means place of discussion, although the word parlement has links with royal institutions, and is in fact the foundation for the English word parliament. The square appears to be a complete architectural project, with consistent design features on all four sides. These include a balustrade that runs around the square, and arcaded ground floors to house additional shops and eateries. Once known as the Royal Market Place, the Place du Parlement has a large neo-renaissance fountain at its center. Close to many of Bordeaux s more famous avenues, including Place Pey Berland and Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 -

6 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 - the Espalanade des Quinconces, Place du Parlement is a lively spot to stop for a bite to eat, particular in the summer months, when outdoor dining is available late into the evening. Address: 9 Place du Parlement, Bordeaux, France Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Langladure. Sight description based on wikipedia G) Porte Cailhau (must see) The Cailhau Gate was built in 1494 and was one of the main entries to the city of Bordeaux at the time. It has a very interesting and rich history that you would definitely love to learn about. And as you go to the the top of Porte Cailhau you will be amazed at the gorgeous view over the city and the Garonne River. There are tours available here for up to 19 people. Address: Place du Palais, Bordeaux, France Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Luidger. Sight description based on wikipedia H) Pont de Pierre (must see) Pont de Pierre is a road and tram bridge across the River Garonne, in the center of Bordeaux. It connects Cours Victor Hugo, on the left bank, with Avenue Thiers on the right side of the river. Pont de Pierre translates to stone bridge in English. It was planned and designed under orders from Napoleon Bonaparte, the former Emperor of France. It was not constructed until 1819, four years after Napoleon s defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, as the Bourbon monarchy were returned to power in France. One of the city s most recognizable structures, it featured on a French postage stamp in Designed by Claude Andreotto, the stamp shows the Pont de Pierre with one of the city s distinctive trams crossing over it. The bridge is half a kilometer long, and has seventeen arches allegedly one for each letter in Napoleon s full name. Each column on either side of the bridge is capped with a white medallion, in honour of the Emperor, who died in exile during the bridge s construction. The construction of the Pont de Pierre, the first bridge in the city to span across the Garonne, proved a challenge for the era s engineers. The width and strong current of the river meant a diving bell had to be used to Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 -

7 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 - repeatedly stabilize the bridge. Opened in 1822, it was the only bridge connecting the two sides of the city until Address: Pont de Pierre, Bordeaux, France Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Maarten Sepp. Sight description based on wikipedia Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 -