Accessible route : The Quays of Bordeaux

Here you are at the starting point of this walk, the Place des Quinconces. At the bottom of the square, you will find the 2 rostral columns. These columns were built in 1829 according to the plans of Alexandre Poitevin. The sculptors are François Bonino and Dominique Maggesi. They mark the entrance to the esplanade and are 21 metres high. Then walk to the right along the quays and reach the Miroir d'eau.

On your right, you can see the Miroir d'eau. It was put into service in 2006 and is the work of fountain designer Jean-Marc Lorca. Its underground reservoir offer fog and mirror sequences.

Behind the Miroir d'eau, you can admire the Bourse Place. It was built by Jacques Gabriel around 1729. The Hotel of Fermes and the Palais de la Bourse surround a central pavilion. The Hotel des Fermes houses the Musée national des Douanes, which has been awarded the Tourism and Handicap label (for physical and intellectual impairments). For people with hearing disabilities, the museum provides audio guides.

Continue in the same direction. A few metres further on, on your right, you can observe the Porte Cailhau. Built around 1494, this gate is a triumphal arch dedicated to the French king Charles VIII, winner of the battle of Fornoue in Italy. Go straight ahead to the Eco-citizen house along the quays.

This house is dedicated to raising awareness of sustainable development, whose aim is to encourage everyone to take action on a daily basis. It offers visitors a resource centre and an exhibition space. Continue along the quays until you reach the stone bridge (the first on your left).

Before you cross the Pont de Pierre, take a look to your right. You will see the Porte Bourgogne. Built in 1751, its architecture was based on the designs of André Portier and Jacques-Ange Gabriel. It replaces the medieval gate of Salinières. To continue, cross the stone bridge which will take you to the right bank of Bordeaux.

This bridge was built by the engineer Claude Deschamps around 1810. The stone bridge has 17 arches. The piers and arches are made of cut stone and the vaults are made of stone and brick. The enormous mass is lightened by a network of inner galleries. At the end of the stone bridge, you will reach at the Place Stalingrad.

In the centre of Place Stalingrad you will find Xavier Veilhan's Lion. This work was created in 2005 and is 8 metres long and 8 metres wide. It is a real visual landmark at the entrance to La Bastide district. At the end of the stone bridge, immediately turn left onto the Quais de Queyries. Be careful, the descent is a little steep (140 metres). Cross the Rue Seem and continue straight on along the Garonne.

On your right, you will notice the old Orléans railway station. It was inaugurated in 1852 and was built on the Bordeaux-Paris line. The station now houses a Mégarama cinema. Continue in the same direction.

After a short walk along the Garonne, you will find the jardin botannique of Bordeaux on your right. It is an institution which is intended to make discover biodiversity to all the public. It has an open-air part as well as a covered part called "Cité Botanique". Afterwards, continue straight ahead until you reach Le Puits.

Le Puits, also known as the "Bibliothèque sur la technique ", is located directly on your left. This strange green building houses a library displaying works of thinkers who have warned against technological dependence. Continue straight on to Darwin.

Darwin is on the right. This former military barrack is now home to a group of associations and companies around a common work-space. You will also find a restaurant. Afterwards, continue your adventure along the quays. A place not to be missed.

After a good walk along the Garonne river, you will arrive at the POLA fabrique. This place is dedicated to artistic production.

After this stage, you arrive on the last part of this walk. You have the possibility to walk back to the Place Stalingrad. If you wish to continue, head towards the Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas and cross it. Careful, the climb is 250 metres high. You will find a rest area in the middle of the bridge. 

You are currently standing on the Pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas. This work of Charles (father) and Thomas (son) Lavigne was put into service in 2013. The particularity of this bridge is that its four pylons raise to allow the passage of cruise ships and large sailing ships to enter the harbour. At the end of the bridge, take a look to the right to see the Cité du Vin.

This majestic 55 metre high building was inaugurated in 2016. The Cité du Vin offers visitors the opportunity to discover wine history across time, in all its facets. The visit of the building is accessible to all, the Cité du Vin holds the Tourism and Handicap label for the 4 types of impairments (visual, hearing, physical and intellectual impairments). To extend this tour, turn left along the quays.

This centre of scientific culture was created in 2002. The building is accessible to people with intellectualdisabilities (Tourism and Handicap Label). Continue in the same direction.

These long sheds, which extend over several metres, were built around 1934. Today they house shops and restaurants. The best opportunity of this stroll for you to go shopping. 

This is the statue of Modeste Testas, a former slave. This work in bronze brings back to the slave trading history of Bordeaux. The Haitian sculptor Woodly Caymitte was commissioned to create this statue. Cross the Quays and go to Ferrere street to see the CAPC.

The CAPC is the contemporary art museum of the city of Bordeaux. It used to be a warehouse for the port. Go back and stop in front of the Hotel de la Bourse Maritime.

You have arrived at the final stage of your visit. Take a look at the Hôtel de la Bourse Maritime. It was built in 1925 by the architects Ernest Lacombe and Louis Augereau. This building is based on the architecture of the central pavilion of the Place de la Bourse.

To finish, return to the quays and walk to the Place des Quinconces and then return to your starting point by walking up the Allées de Munich. We hope you have enjoyed this walk.