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, architect Jacques Gabriel proposed three projects to structure this space. Two years later, in 1731, he built the Quai de la Douane and the first facades bordering the river, marking the beginning of an ambitious urban transformation. These achievements are part of a desire to modernize and embellish the city, reflecting its economic and political importance under the Old Regime.

On the death of the intendant Claude Boucher, who had initiated the project by obtaining the agreement of the jurats in 1746, Aubert de Tourny took over the work with Ange-Jacques Gabriel, son of Jacques Gabriel. In 1748, a monumental perspective was completed, extending the Place Royale (now Place de la Bourse) towards the Garonne. This project creates a homogeneous architectural order: a ground floor with arches in the middle of the hangar, two square floors and a mansard-drilled roof. The facades, although partially altered (disappearance of wrought iron balconies), retain their original character thanks to their carved frames and lamers.

The arcades on the ground floor, originally designed to unify the whole, have sometimes been modified by the installation of shops, altering their integrity. Despite these transformations, the 2nd Quai de la Douane building remains a major testimony to Bordeaux's classic urban planning. Its inclusion in the inventory of Historic Monuments in 1951 (facade and roof) underlines its heritage importance. This project also illustrates the collaboration between renowned architects such as the Gabriels and the royal stewards, marking the climax of Bordeaux civil architecture in the 18th century.

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