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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The building located at 48 quai Richelieu in Bordeaux is part of the major 18th century urban project to create a uniform facade along the Garonne. This project, initiated by the intendant Claude Boucher in 1746 with the agreement of the jurats, was based on earlier plans of architect Jacques Gabriel, who had proposed three projects for the wharf since 1729. In 1731 Gabriel realized the Quai de la Douane and the first facades, marking the beginning of an ambitious architectural transformation.

When Boucher died, Aubert de Tourny launched the project in collaboration with Ange-Jacques Gabriel, son of Jacques Gabriel. In 1748, a monumental perspective was completed, uniting the facades according to a strict model: a ground floor and an arcade basement, two square floors, and a mansard-drilled attic. The sculpted details, such as the arcade keys, and the original frames give these facades their historical character, despite the partial disappearance of wrought iron balconies.

The architectural ordinance extended the Place Royale (now the Place de la Bourse), creating a visual harmony between the river and the city. The arcades, originally designed to house commercial activities, have sometimes been altered by the installation of shops on the ground floor. The façade and roof of this building were protected by a decree of 14 April 1951, recognizing their heritage value.

This project illustrates the ambition of the 18th century Bordeaux authorities to modernize the city by combining classic aesthetics and urban functionality. The facades, although partially modified, retain their unity thanks to the original architectural elements, such as the larmiers and the splits, witness to this great urban design.

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