Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The idea of a royal square and a uniform facade of the docks along the Garonne gradually emerged. In 1746, intendant Claude Boucher obtained the agreement of the jurats for the creation of the first dock. In 1729 the architect Jacques Gabriel presented three projects, including that of the Quai de la Douane, realized in 1731 with its characteristic facades. This initial project marked the beginning of an ambitious urban transformation, combining port functionality and monumental aesthetics.

When Boucher died, Aubert de Tourny re-launched the project with Ange-Jacques Gabriel, son of Jacques Gabriel. In 1748, a homogeneous architectural perspective was built, extending the Place Royale (future Place de la Bourse) towards the river. This program included a arched ground floor in the middle of the hangar, two square floors, and a mansard-drilled attic. The facades, enriched with carved motifs and recasts, today retain their character despite the partial disappearance of wrought iron balconies.

The arcades on the ground floor, originally designed for mixed use (commercial and aesthetic), now house shops. Some modifications have altered their integrity, such as the removal of supports or balconies, but the general ordinance, which has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1951, remains a major testimony of the Bordeaux urban planning of the eighteenth century. The facade and roof, protected by decree, illustrate the heritage of Gabriel, father and son, in the beautification of Bordeaux.

The location of the building at 11 quai Richelieu is part of a broader set of urban transformations aimed at affirming the city's prestige. The accuracy of its current location is considered fair (note 5/10), reflecting the limitations of the available geographic data. This building, although partially modified, embodies the balance between harbour utility and architectural ambition of the Lights.

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