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Origin and history

The house is part of the architectural complex of Gambetta Square (former Dauphine Square), one of Bordeaux's major urban projects in the 18th century. Initiated around 1745 by the Intendant of Tourny as part of a plan of sanitation and beautification, this square was designed to structure the city by linking its main roads. The Jurats of Bordeaux made a loan in 1750 to finance the construction of uniform facades, organized on the ground floor with arcades, a noble floor, an attic and an attic. The original plans, more decorated, were simplified in 1762 under Intendant Boutin, removing the forebody and balustrades in favor of a devoidly sober.

The works lasted from 1770 to 1780, although the style of the buildings reflected that of the first half of the 18th century. Each building features a stone-cut façade, with bossed arcades on the ground floor, window doors decorated with mascarons on the first floor, and wrought iron balconies. Some buildings include a second floor. The square, rectangular in shape, became a strategic crossroads, framed by major arteries. The façade and roof of this house, located in Gambetta Square, were protected by a registration order in 1927.

This project illustrates the will of the authorities of Bordeaux of the eighteenth century to modernize the city according to classical principles, mixing urban functionality and harmonious aesthetics. Gambetta Square, with its buildings aligned, symbolizes Bordeaux's architectural golden age, marked by the maritime trade and enrichment of the local bourgeoisie. The mascarons and ironworks bear witness to the craftsmanship of the period, while the uniformity of the facades reflects rigorous urban planning, rare for this period.

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