Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The building located at the 3 quai de la Douane in Bordeaux is part of an ambitious urban project launched in the 18th century, aimed at creating a uniform facade along the Garonne. This project, initiated by intendant Claude Boucher in 1746 with the agreement of the jurats, was based on earlier plans of architect Jacques Gabriel. By 1729 Gabriel had proposed three projects, before building in 1731 the Quai de la Douane and its facades bordering the river. 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, creating a homogeneous architectural ordinance that extended the Place Royale (now the Place de la Bourse). This style was characterized by a ground floor and a basement, rhythmic with arches in the middle of the hangar, surmounted by two square floors and an attic with the Mansard pierced by skylights. The facades, enriched with splits and sculptures at the key of the arcades, today retain their original character despite the disappearance of some wrought iron balconies.

The arcades on the ground floor, originally designed for public or commercial use, now house shops, sometimes altering their integrity. Despite these changes, the ensemble retains a remarkable stylistic unit, classified as a Historic Monument since 1951 for its facade and roof. This project illustrates the urbanistic ambition of the Enlightenment in Bordeaux, combining port functionality and architectural prestige.

Architects Jacques Gabriel and his son Ange-Jacques played a central role in the design of this ordinance, while intendants Boucher and Tourny were the main political instigators. Their collaboration gave birth to an emblematic set of Bordeaux heritage, a symbol of the city's modernization in the 18th century.

External links