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Origin and history

The house is part of a major architectural ensemble of Bordeaux, Gambetta Square (former Dauphine Square), designed in the 18th century. This urban space, second by its importance after the Place de la Bourse, was built around 1745 under the impulse of the intendant of Tourny. The objective was to sanitize and embellish the city by creating an orderly square, surrounded by buildings with uniform facades, composed of a ground floor with arcades, a noble floor, an attic and an attic. The Jurats of Bordeaux made a loan in 1750 to finance the construction of these facades, originally planned with forecorps and balustrades.

In 1762, a new architect proposed a simplified plan, eliminating unnecessary decorative elements to adopt a sober entanglement and a discreet attic. The works were completed between 1770 and 1780, although the style remained representative of the first half of the 18th century. The square, rectangular in shape, became a strategic crossroads where the main routes of the city converged. The buildings, made of cut stone, are distinguished by their bossed arcades on the ground floor, their windows decorated with mascarons on the first floor, and their wrought iron balconies. Some buildings have a second floor, adding to diversity while maintaining overall harmony.

The facade and roof of this house were protected by an order of inscription under the Historical Monuments on November 15, 1927. Today, the official address listed is 14 Place Gambetta, although GPS coordinates suggest a nearby location, at 4 rue Bouffard. This monument illustrates the ambitious urban planning of the Enlightenment in Bordeaux, marked by a desire for modernization and classical aesthetics.

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