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Heritage classified

Key figures

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 avant-corps and balustrades, were simplified in 1762 under the direction of an anonymous architect, upon the approval of Intendant Boutin.

The classical ordinance of buildings, characteristic of the style of the first half of the eighteenth century, was finally completed between 1770 and 1780. Each stone-cut facade features ground-floor bossed arcades, a discrete basement, and window doors decorated with carved mascarons on the first floor, some with a second floor. The square, rectangular in shape, became a major urban crossroads, framed by important arteries at each of its angles. The façade and roof of this house, located at 41 Gambetta Square, were protected by a decree of inscription under the title of Historical Monuments on November 15, 1927.

This project illustrates the commitment of the 18th century Bordeaux authorities to modernise the city according to the principles of classical urban planning, harmonizing architecture and creating structural public spaces. Gambetta Square, with its buildings with rigorous uniformity, bears witness to this ambition, while reflecting the artistic influences and construction techniques of the time. Today, it remains a remarkable example of Bordeaux's civil architectural heritage, marked by its urban history and heritage protections.

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