“Largest city square in Europe?” That’s the question echoing in your minds as you stand before the Place des Quinconces in Bordeaux. It’s vast. It sprawls. It’s a space filled with history and stories.
The Place des Quinconces was laid out in 1820. It sits on the site of Château Trompette. The square was intended to prevent rebellion against the city. Its guns once pointed toward the center.
The name “Quinconces” comes from the quincunx pattern of the trees. These trees were planted in 1818. A quincunx is an arrangement of five points in a cross. Four points form a square. The fifth sits in the center.
Notice the two tall rostral columns facing the Garonne river. They stand at 21 meters high. Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau erected them in 1829. One column symbolizes commerce. The other represents navigation. Statues of Michel de Montaigne and Charles de Secondat, baron de Montesquieu, were added in 1858. Dominique Fortuné Magges created these statues.
The Monument aux Girondins dominates the Place des Quinconces. This 54-meter-tall monument commemorates the Girondists. They were victims of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. The monument features a large pedestal. It has two basins. Bronze horses and troops decorate it. A large column rises above. At the top stands a statue of Liberty. Look for the letter “G” for the Girondins. You’ll also see crescents symbolizing the “Port de la Lune”. The river curves in a crescent shape here.
Take a closer look at the sculptures. Towards the grand theater, see the triumph of the Republic. Towards Chartrons, find the triumph of the Concorde. The Tribune faces the river. It features a French cockerel, History, and Eloquence. Towards the Tourny square, the city of Bordeaux sits on a ship’s prow. The Dordogne river is on the base’s right. The Garonne is on the left.
The Nazis removed the statues from the fountain during World War II. They planned to melt them down for cannons. Fortunately, the statues were hidden. They were restored and re-erected in 1983. The Girondin memorial was declared a historical monument in 2011.
Today, the Place des Quinconces is a major transportation hub. Trams and buses converge here. It also hosts many events. The Bordeaux Wine Festival occurs here every two years. You might also catch the Foire aux Plaisirs or the Arlette Gruss circus.
The Place des Quinconces is more than just a large square. It’s a place of history. It’s a space for gatherings. It’s a symbol of Bordeaux itself. Take a moment to soak it all in. Imagine the stories it could tell.