Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The idea of a royal square and a uniform façade along the banks of the Garonne in Bordeaux 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, aimed to structure the urban space along the river, but its complete realization was postponed.

When Boucher died, intendant Aubert de Tourny revived the project in 1748 with Angel-Jacques Gabriel, son of Jacques Gabriel. Together, they complete a homogeneous monumental perspective, extending the Place Royale (now Place de la Bourse). The facades, characterized by arches in the middle of the hanger, two square floors and a Mansard-style attic, form a coherent architectural ensemble, despite subsequent alterations such as the disappearance of certain wrought iron balconies.

The facades, classified as Historic Monument in 1951 for their roof and structure, illustrate the influence of Gabriel, father and son, in the Bordeaux town planning of the eighteenth century. Their design reflects a desire for symmetry and grandeur, typical of the royal arrangements of the time. The arcades, originally intended for commercial use on the ground floor, were partially modified by the installation of shops, altering their original appearance.

The precise location of the building, at the 7th Quai de la Douane, makes it a key element of the Bordeaux heritage. Its inscription in the inventory of Historical Monuments underlines its importance in the architectural history of the city, linked to the beautification of the docks and the affirmation of royal power under Louis XV.

External links