Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The idea of a royal square and a homogeneous facade of the docks bordering the Garonne has gradually emerged. In 1729, architect Jacques Gabriel proposed three projects, then built in 1731 the Quai de la Douane and its facades. After the death of intendant Claude Boucher, who had initiated the project in 1746, his successor Aubert de Tourny revived the work with Ange-Jacques Gabriel, son of Jacques. The monumental perspective was completed in 1748, extending the Place Royale (future Place de la Bourse) by a strict architectural ordinance: ground floor with arcades, two square floors, and a high at the Mansard.

The façades, although partially altered (disappearance of balconies or wrought iron supports), retain their original character thanks to the frames and larmies. The arcades on the ground floor, sometimes modified by shops, are part of a background pattern underlined by slits and sculptures. The ensemble, classified as Historical Monument in 1951 for its facade and roof, illustrates the urbanistic ambition of the Enlightenment in Bordeaux, combining port functionality and architectural prestige.

The project is part of a desire to modernize the front of Garonne, reflecting the growing role of Bordeaux as a major port of Atlantic trade. The architects Gabriel, father and son, applied a rigorous classical style, while the intendant Boucher and Tourny supervised its realization. Despite the subsequent changes, the building is a testament to this period when architecture served as both a political tool and an economic showcase.

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