People have for decades come to Bordeaux not only for its world-renowned vineyards but also for its proximity to the long sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. Nevertheless, and even if all those beautiful surrounding areas remain a strong asset for wanting to visit the city, numerous tourists are now coming to Bordeaux for its own beauty.
When the city was added to the list of the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO, with the exceptional urban area title, it definitely made her an unavoidable city.
Then, an area of 1810 hectares was chosen, rewarding the layout of the quay, the large streets and the classic harmony of the big perspectives. Its homogeneity of styles are also showing the golden age of the 18thcentury, a time when Bordeaux was making the most of it harbour’s dominant position while enjoying important incomes from all its businesses. Thus, 4 men contributed to the actual look of the city: the butchers (La place de la Bourse), Tourny (the quays’ façade), Victor Louis (le Grand Theatre).
The quays’ façade reveal the real stone-cutter talent who made “les têtes coupées”. Those stone faces called Mascaronsare little ornaments over doors and windows – a little something that changes everything. With them, the walls seems to have ears, an entire face and sometimes a body. The craftsmen in wrought iron also took part in the doing up of some façades creating arabesques and iron adornments for balconies, gates and door knockers.
It has everything to make you want to walk around Bordeaux and to keep your nose up so you don’t miss its true beauty.
Walking around Bordeaux is an enchanting journey.