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Origin and history

The house is part of the architectural complex of Gambetta Square (former Dauphine Square), one of Bordeaux's major urban projects in the 18th century. Initiated around 1745 by the Intendant of Tourny as part of a plan of sanitation and beautification, this square was designed to structure the main roads of the city. The Jurats took a loan in 1750 to finance the construction of the uniform facades, composed of a ground floor with arcades, a noble floor, an attic and an attic. The works, originally planned with forebody and balustrades, were simplified in 1762 under Intendant Boutin, opting for a sober entablement and an attic without ornaments.

The square was only completed between 1770 and 1780, although its style reflected that of the first half of the eighteenth century. The buildings, made of stone, have a rigorous prescription: arches with bosses on the ground floor, window doors decorated with mascarons and wrought iron balconies on the first floor, and sometimes a second floor. Some elements, such as the façade and roof of this house (cadastre KW 0246), were protected by a registration order in 1927. The square, rectangular, serves as a crossroads to major arteries, illustrating the ambitious urban planning of Bordeaux in the Enlightenment era.

The architecture of these houses, although sober, embodies the classical ideal of the eighteenth century, combining functionality and aesthetic harmony. Their uniformity reflects a political will to modernise the city, while meeting the needs of a rising bourgeoisie. The wrought iron mascarons and balconies, typical of Bordeaux style, add a discreet but distinctive decorative touch. Today, these buildings bear witness to the urban heritage of Bordeaux, between royal heritage and economic dynamism port.

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