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Origin and history

The building at 5 quai Richelieu in Bordeaux is part of the urban project to create a royal square and a uniform façade along the Garonne, initiated in the 18th century. This project, carried by intendant Claude Boucher in 1746, aimed to structure the docks with a homogeneous architectural order, extending the Place de la Bourse (former Place Royale). The original plans were proposed by architect Jacques Gabriel in 1729, before his son, Angel-Jacques Gabriel, resumed the project after Boucher's death, under the leadership of intendant Aubert de Tourny in 1748.

The construction of the Quai de la Douane and the facades, including this building, followed strict principles: a ground floor and an arched entresol, topped by two square floors and an attic at the Mansard pierced with skylights. Architectural details, such as splits, carved patterns with arcade keys, and wrought iron balconies (partly missing), reflect the classic French style. Despite the installation of shops on the ground floor that have sometimes altered the arcades, the whole has retained its original character, protected since 1951 for its facade and roof.

This project was part of a desire to modernise and embellish Bordeaux, then the major port of Atlantic trade. The monumental perspective, aligning the buildings along the river, symbolized the royal power and economic prosperity of the city. The facades, although modified by commercial use, remain an exceptional testimony of the urbanisation of the Enlightenment, mixing port functionality and aesthetic ambition.

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