Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The building located at the 13 quai des Salinières in Bordeaux is part of the major 18th century urban project aimed at creating a royal square and a homogeneous facade along the Garonne. This project, initiated by the intendant Claude Boucher in 1746 with the agreement of the jurats, was based on plans proposed in 1729 by architect Jacques Gabriel, who built the Quai de la Douane and its facades in 1731. Boucher's death marked a transition, the project being taken over by Aubert de Tourny in collaboration with Ange-Jacques Gabriel, son of Jacques.

The monumental perspective was completed in 1748 under the impulse of Tourny, extending the Place Royale (now Place de la Bourse) by a rigorous architectural ordinance. It is characterized by a ground floor and a basement, topped by two square floors and an attic with the Mansard pierced by skylights. The facades, although partially altered (disappearance of balconies or wrought iron supports), retain their unity thanks to original elements such as frames, larmiers and carved patterns of arches in the middle of the hanger.

The building, whose facade and roof have been protected since 1951, illustrates the heritage of Gabriel (father and son) and Tourny in the beautification of Bordeaux. The arcades on the ground floor, originally designed for public use, now house shops, sometimes altering their integrity. This building bears witness to the urbanistic ambition of the Enlightenment century, combining port functionality and architectural prestige.

The location of the building, at 13 quai des Salinières (with a return to the rue de la Tour-du-Pin), confirms its anchoring in the historic heart of Bordeaux. Its inscription in the title of Historic Monuments underscores its heritage value, linked to the history of the docks and the transformation of the city into a commercial and administrative metropolis under the Old Regime.

External links