Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The idea of a royal square and a uniform facade of the docks along the Garonne gradually emerged. In 1746, intendant Claude Boucher obtained the agreement of the jurats for the creation of a first dock. By 1729, the architect Jacques Gabriel had presented three projects, before building in 1731 the Quai de la Douane and adjacent facades. This work marked the beginning of an ambitious urban transformation, combining port functionality and monumental aesthetics.

When Boucher died, the project was taken over by Aubert de Tourny, in collaboration with Ange-Jacques Gabriel, son of Jacques Gabriel. In 1748, a homogeneous architectural perspective was completed, extending the Place de la Bourse (former Place Royale) towards the river. This urban program was characterized by an arcade base in the middle of the hangar, two square floors and an attic with the Mansard pierced by skylights. The facades, although partially altered (disappearance of wrought iron balconies), retain their original character thanks to their carved frames and lamers.

The arcades on the ground floor, originally designed to unify the whole, were sometimes modified by the installation of shops, altering their integrity. Despite these transformations, the general ordinance remains, reflecting the urban ambition of the 18th century in Bordeaux. The building located in 6 Bir-Hakeim Square, whose facade and roof have been protected since 1951, embodies this architectural heritage linked to the beautification of the docks and the economic influence of the city.

Architects Jacques Gabriel and his son Ange-Jacques played a central role in this project, combining classical rigour and adaptation to local constraints. Their work was part of a desire to modernise Bordeaux, then the major port of Atlantic trade, giving it an image of its economic importance. The sculpted motifs and slits of the base underline this search for elegance and monumentality.

External links