Building à Bordeaux en Gironde

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The building at the 9 quai de la Grave in Bordeaux is part of an ambitious urban project launched in the 18th century to create a royal square and a homogeneous facade along the Garonne. The idea, carried by architect Jacques Gabriel as early as 1729, was partially realized in 1731 with the construction of the Quai de la Douane and the first facades. At that time, the intendant Claude Boucher obtained in 1746 the agreement of the jurats to extend the project, but it was under the impulse of Aubert de Tourny, after Boucher's death, that the monumental perspective was completed in 1748.

The architectural project, taken over by Ange-Jacques Gabriel (son of Jacques Gabriel), aims to create a uniform ordinance: a ground floor and an arched entresol, topped by two square floors and a Mansard attic. The facades, although partially altered (disappearance of balconies or wrought iron supports), retain their original character thanks to their frames, larmies and carved motifs. The arcades, now partly occupied by shops, originally formed a subsidence rhythmized by splits and carved keys.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1951 for its facade and roof, this building illustrates the legacy of the urban developments of the Enlightenment in Bordeaux. It is integrated into a coherent architectural ensemble, extending the Place de la Bourse (former Royal Square) and symbolizing the city's desire for modernization and beautification under the Old Regime. Subsequent changes, such as the installation of shops on the ground floor, have partially changed its use without altering its historical identity.

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