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BORDEAUX
UNESCO World Heritage Site
On 28 June 2007, UNESCO inscribed Bordeaux, Port de la Lune, on the World Heritage List as an exceptional urban ensemble. Covering 1,810 hectares, the listed area stretches from Quai de Bacalan to Quai de Paludate, encompassing almost all of Bordeaux within the boulevards, with the exception of the neighbourhood beyond Saint Jean railway station.
Place de la Bourse
Construction: 1730–1755
Style: Classical
Architects: Jacques Gabriel and Ange-Jacques Gabriel
History: Originally named Place Royale, it hosted an equestrian statue of King Louis XV. Its name changed with political regimes: Place de la Liberté (Revolution), Place Impériale (Napoleon I), Place Royale (Restoration), and finally Place de la Bourse.
Characteristics: Features the Customs House, Palais de la Bourse, Fountain of the Three Graces, water mirror (3,450 m²). Representative of 18th-century French classical architecture.
Listed as: UNESCO World Heritage Site (Bordeaux, Port de la Lune).
Customs House and National Customs Museum
Construction: 1735–1738
Style: Neoclassical
Architect: Jacques Gabriel
History: Originally Hôtel des Fermes du Roi to collect duties for the king. The National Customs Museum opened in 1984 in the ground-floor hall.
Characteristics: Neoclassical façades with pediments representing Mercury and Minerva. Rectangular courtyard used for customs operations.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1914, 1961, 2020).
Palais de la Bourse
Construction: 1742–1749
Style: Neoclassical
Architect: Ange-Jacques Gabriel
History: Part of Place de la Bourse complex; housed the merchants’ exchange, Chamber of Commerce, and Consular Court.
Current use: Chamber of Commerce (CCI) and Commercial Court. Stock Exchange closed in 1990.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1916, 1942).
Grand Théâtre
Construction: 1780
Style: Neoclassical
Architect: Victor Louis
History: Inaugurated 7 April 1780 with Racine's Athalie.
Characteristics: 88 × 47 m building with 1,000-seat Italian-style theatre, restored interior (blue, gold, white marble).
Current use: Bordeaux National Opera, previously hosted Bordeaux Aquitaine National Orchestra.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1899).
Monument to the Girondins
Construction: 1894–1902
Architect: Henri Deverin
History: Honors Girondin deputies executed during the Reign of Terror. Initial project in 1868; finally completed in 1902.
Characteristics: Large base, two basins, bronze groups, 43-metre column topped by Liberty statue.
Listed as: Historic Monument (2011).
Porte Cailhau
Construction: 15th century
Style: Gothic
History: Built 1493–1496 to celebrate Charles VIII’s victory at Fornoue. Remodeled 1753–1754 and restored 1880–1890.
Characteristics: River-side gate, main entrance from port, statue of Charles VIII and Saint John the Baptist.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1883).
Saint-André Cathedral
Construction: 12th–16th century
Style: Angevin Gothic
History: Consecrated 1096 by Pope Urban II. Gothic rebuild between 12th–16th centuries. Site of royal weddings: Eleanor of Aquitaine to Louis VII (1137), Anne of Austria to Louis XIII (1615).
Characteristics: Choir, radiating chapels, bell tower (Pey-Berland tower), south transept spires.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1862). UNESCO World Heritage Site (Routes of Santiago de Compostela).
Rohan Palace (Town Hall)
Construction: 1771–1784
Style: Neoclassical
Architect: Richard-François Bonfin
History: Built for Archbishop Prince of Rohan; later became City Hall in 1835.
Characteristics: Monumental neoclassical design, echoing “courtyard and garden” mansions.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1997).
Cité du Vin
Creation: 2016
Characteristics: Wine tourism landmark, 55-metre spire, rounded exterior, wooden torus vault, environmental considerations. Hosts temporary exhibitions, panoramic wine tasting. Ranked 7th by National Geographic globally.
Bassin des Lumières
Characteristics: Four water basins (110 × 22 × 12 m), 90 projectors, 80 speakers, 12,000 m² projection surface. Largest digital art centre in the world.
Cité Frugès (Le Corbusier)
Construction: 1926
Characteristics: 51 avant-garde homes commissioned by Henry Frugès, designed by Le Corbusier. Features geometric shapes, raw and polished concrete, panoramic terraces, bright colours.
