The MUST-SEE Architecture in Bordeaux

Updated: 6 July 2019

While you may be visiting Bordeaux for its world-class vineyards and intoxicating wine selections, the city is also home to some remarkable contemporary and historic architecture. In fact, the last decade alone has seen several high-profile architects stake their names into the city’s architectural landscape, transforming it into a destination for building enthusiasts [almost] as much as wine enthusiasts.

Below is our list of the MUST-SEE Architecture. As you see with the date on the top, this list is always updating as new projects come about. If you want to see your photo featured @AVONTUURA and #mustseearchitecture on Instagram.

Onwards!

Contemporary Architecture

Cite du Vin

This flowing building on the banks of the Garonne river is Bordeaux’s contribution to the exhibition and education of wine in the region. Designed by Parisian firm XTU Architects, the museum serves as a critical link between the urban wine trade of the city, and its more rural producers.

Visiting Information:

Architect: XTU Architects
Built: 2016
Type: Wine Museum
Address: 150, 134 Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Open daily (10:00am – 7:00pm)
Cost: €20
Website: www.laciteduvin.com/en

MÉCA

MÉCA is a new 3-in-1 art institution that combines the FRAC for contemporary art, ALCA for cinema, literature and audiovisuals, and OARA for performing arts. Designed by Danish firm BIG Architects, the building integrates the three programs with a new outdoor space that functions as an urban square.

Visiting Information:

Architect: BIG Architects, FREAKS freearchitects
Built: 2019
Type: Cultural Centre
Address:  54 Quai de Paludate, 33800 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Varies by art institution
Website:  https://www.la-meca.com/

Nouveau Chai at the Château Margaux Wine Estate

The historic château and cellars of the Margaux Wine Estate were built over 200 years ago and are one of four wines to achieve Premier cru (first growth) status in the Bordeaux Classification of 1855. Working within such noted traditions required the work of Foster + Partners to design a new Vinothèque: Nouveau Chai, next to the existing cellars that gives the estate a fresh new look that is complementary to the existing structures.

Visiting Information:

Architect: Foster + Partners
Built: 2015
Type: Winery
Address: 33460 Margaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily (9:00am – 4:30pm)
Website: www.chateau-margaux.com/fr/

Matmut Atlantique

The remarkable flatness of the surrounding landscape served as inspiration for this stadium by Herzog & de Meuron. The seating, a series of white slender terraces are lifted off the ground by a number of thin columns that are scattered across its underside.

Visiting Information:

Architect: Herzog & de Meuron
Built: 2015
Type: Stadium
Address: Cours Jules Ladoumègue, 33300 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes
Tour: €11
Website: www.matmut-atlantique.com/fr

Bordeaux Law Courts

A compelling project by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, the Bordeaux Law courts contain several important features that form the sum of its design. The first are its cedar-lined pods that are the 7 courtrooms. Circulation between the public and administrative staff had to be kept separate so the pods are lifted off the ground so that entry into the courtrooms can occur on separate levels. The second primary feature is the extensive glazing that gives the building a sense of openness and transparency, both to the people they serve, and the visiting public.

Visiting Information:

Architect: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
Built: 1998
Type: Court House
Address: 30 Rue des Frères Bonie, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday – Friday (8:30am – 5:00pm)

Maison Bordeaux

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByNHUJQiwBe/

This celebrated house by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas stands on the top of a hill overlooking the city. Two years before its construction, the owner was left paralyzed from a car accident and rather than wanting something simple and institutional, they opted for something unique and curated to their new lifestyle. The design features three stacked boxes that vary in transparency depending on the floor and are all serviced by a central elevator.

Visiting Information:

Architect: OMA
Built: 1998
Type: Private Residence
Address: 2 Chemin des Plateaux, Floirac, Gironde, New Aquitaine, France
Open to the Public: No

Urban Renovation of Lormont

The Génicart district of Lormond where these buildings are situated has historically been social and collective housing for the greater Bordeaux region. LAN Architects restored the facades of the buildings and create new loggias and internal spaces for its inhabitants. Meanwhile, on the site around the buildings, a new park with trees and play equipment have been installed thereby fostering a new outdoor social network for the community.

Visiting Information:

Architect: LAN Architecture
Built: 2015
Type: Apartment
Address: 4 Rue Rabelais, 33310 Lormont, France
Open to the Public: Yes

Carré Lumière

Carré Lumière is a residential block that was commissioned with the purpose of creating exemplary community housing for the Bordeaux suburb of Bègles. Designed by LAN Architecture, the proposal involved a series of principles that included creating private and public social spaces, semi-finished rooms so that future expansion by residents could be considered, economical construction, and sustainability.

Visiting Information:

Architect: LAN Architecture
Built: 2015
Type: Apartment
Address: 317 Boulevard Jean Jacques Bosc, 33800 Bordeaux, France

Les Bassins à flot Housing

Les Bassins à flot is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bordeaux as a result of its maritime and manufacturing history. It is currently undergoing significant redevelopment of its expansive port area with which this housing block is part of. Its exterior cladding is metal, and industrial in nature to draw on the sites past. Inbetween the two rows of buildings, the walls are a brighter monotone with indoor landscaping and skylights that provide daylight and fresh air to inhabitants.

Visiting Information:

Architect: ANMA
Built: 2015
Type: Apartment
Address: Maison du projet des Bassins à flot, Quai Armand Lalande, 33300 Bordeaux, France

Aquitanis Headquarters

Aquitanis is a social housing operator in Bordeaux and its headquarters were designed to showcase the values of the company which include urban, architectural, and sustainable design. The building features a number of staggered volumes that allow for new interior spaces that generate interactions between staff. From a sustainable perspective, vertical louvres on the exterior shade the building from overheating while a large central atrium complete with skylights allow for natural daylight.

Visiting Information:

Architect: Platform Architectures, Reichen & Robert
Built: 2013
Type: Office
Address: 1 Avenue André Reinson, 33028 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: No
Website: www.aquitanis.fr/

Arc En Ciel

Visiting Information:

This building by Agence Bernard Bühler combines parking, offices and housing near a shopping mall and busy intersection. The parking on the lowest floor is wrapped in a solid metal to discourage theft, the offices are completely transparent, while the apartments feature a colourful spectrum of vertical louvres.

Architect: Agence Bernard Bühler
Built: 2010
Type: Office, Apartment
Address: Immeuble Arc en ciel, 127 Avenue Emile Counord, 33300 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes

Ginko Eco-Neighbourhood

The Ginko eco-neighbourhood is located on the left bank of the Garonne River in northern Bordeaux. The project includes four apartment buildings and seven single-family homes oriented around a common outdoor space. The balconies are angled to optimize views to a nearby lake from the living rooms.

Visiting Information:

Architect: Nicolas Laisné, Christophe Rousselle
Built: 2012
Type: Office, Apartment
Address: Avenue André Reinson, 33300 Bordeaux, France

Historic Architecture

Palais Rohan

Visiting Information:

Architect: Richard-François Bonfin
Built: 1784
Type: City Hall
Address: Pey Berland Place, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Weekdays, 8:30am – 5:00pm. Saturdays, 9am-12pm

Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux 

Visiting Information:

Architect: Victor Louis
Built: 1780
Type: Theatre
Address:  Place de la Comédie, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes

Monument aux Girondins

Visiting Information:

Built: 1902
Type: Monument
Address: 2792 Place des Quinconces, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes

Tour Pey Berland

The Tour Pey Berland is a steeple built by the archbishop of the same name. It sits separate from the rest of the cathedral due to the vibrations of the bells. Interestingly, the church originally did not have enough money to pay for the bells so the steeple functioned as housing and then a lead factory until the bells were eventually installed in 1851.

Visiting Information:

Built: 1440-1500
Type: Steeple
Address: 150, 134 Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Open daily (10:00am – 7:00pm)
Cost: €20
Website: www.laciteduvin.com/en

Place de la Bourse

Visiting Information:

Architect: Ange-Jacques Gabriel
Built: 1730-1755
Type: Square
Address: Place de la Bourse, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes

Place du Parlement

Visiting Information:

Built: 1760
Type: Square
Address: Place du Parlement
Open to the Public: Yes

Porte Cailhau Pont de Pierre

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByQzS-VoKeg/

Visiting Information:

Style: Gothic
Built: 1495
Type: City Gate
Address: Place du Palais, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily, 10:00am – 6:00pm
Cost: €5
Website: www.bordeaux-tourisme.com/offre/fiche/porte-cailhau/

Gare de Bordeaux St-Jean

Visiting Information:

Architect: Gustave Eiffel
Built: 1898
Type: Train Station
Address:  Rue Charles Domercq, 33800 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes

Le Grand Hôtel

Visiting Information:

Architect: Victor Louis
Built: 1776
Type: Hotel
Address: 2-5 Place de la Comédie, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: bordeaux.intercontinental.com/

Base Sous-Marine

Visiting Information:

Built: 1784
Type: Submarine Base (former), Art Museum (current)
Address: Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00am – 7:00pm
Cost: €5

Musée National des Douanes

Visiting Information:

Architect: Richard-François Bonfin
Built: 1735-1738
Type: City Hall
Address: 1 Place de la Bourse, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00am – 6:00pm
Cost: €3
Website: http://www.musee-douanes.fr/

Fort du Ha

Visiting Information:

Built: 1454
Type: Fortress
Address: 10 Rue des Freres Bonie, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Open to the Public: Yes