Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The idea of a royal square and a uniform facade along the banks of the Garonne has gradually emerged. In 1729, the architect Jacques Gabriel proposed three projects, before building in 1731 the Quai de la Douane and its facades. This initial project, supported by intendant Claude Boucher, was validated in 1746 by the jurats of Bordeaux, marking the beginning of an ambitious urban transformation.

When Boucher died, intendant Aubert de Tourny took over the project with Ange-Jacques Gabriel, son of Jacques Gabriel. In 1748, a monumental perspective was erected, extending the Place Royale (now Place de la Bourse) towards the river. This homogenous architectural ordinance is characterized by a arched base in the middle of the hangar, two square floors and a mansard-drilled roof. The façades, although partially altered (disappearance of balconies or wrought iron supports), retain their original character thanks to their carved frames and larmies.

The arcades on the ground floor, originally designed to unify the whole, have sometimes been modified by the installation of shops. Despite these transformations, the building remains a major testimony of the 18th century Bordeaux urban planning, combining port functionality and aesthetic ambition. The façade and roof have been protected since 1951 by a decree of inscription in the Historical Monuments.

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