Monument to the Girondins, Bordeaux (must see)
The Monument to the Girondins stands proudly in Bordeaux's Quinconces Square, a tribute to the Girondin deputies who met their untimely end during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror. Constructed between 1894 and 1902, this monument is a harmonious blend of art and history, featuring a 54-meter-high column crowned by a statue of Liberty breaking free from her chains. At its base, an elaborate fountain showcases allegorical figures representing various virtues and elements of French society.
The central column is flanked by two basins adorned with dynamic bronze sculptures, including sea horses and cherubs, symbolizing the tumultuous period of the Revolution. The statue of Liberty atop the column signifies the triumph of freedom over oppression.
During World War II, the monument suffered damage, with its statues removed by the occupying forces. However, these were later recovered and restored, returning to their rightful place in 1983. Today, the Monument to the Girondins stands as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for liberty and the enduring spirit of the Girondins.
Did you know? The bronze horses at the base of the Monument are so lifelike that locals joke they might gallop off at any moment. Each sculpture took years to perfect, with artists meticulously capturing muscles, movement, and the wild energy of the horses, creating a sense of motion frozen in time.
The central column is flanked by two basins adorned with dynamic bronze sculptures, including sea horses and cherubs, symbolizing the tumultuous period of the Revolution. The statue of Liberty atop the column signifies the triumph of freedom over oppression.
During World War II, the monument suffered damage, with its statues removed by the occupying forces. However, these were later recovered and restored, returning to their rightful place in 1983. Today, the Monument to the Girondins stands as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for liberty and the enduring spirit of the Girondins.
Did you know? The bronze horses at the base of the Monument are so lifelike that locals joke they might gallop off at any moment. Each sculpture took years to perfect, with artists meticulously capturing muscles, movement, and the wild energy of the horses, creating a sense of motion frozen in time.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bordeaux. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Monument to the Girondins on Map
Sight Name: Monument to the Girondins
Sight Location: Bordeaux, France (See walking tours in Bordeaux)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bordeaux, France (See walking tours in Bordeaux)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bordeaux, France
Create Your Own Walk in Bordeaux
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bordeaux is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bordeaux Food Tour
Widely acclaimed for its prestigious wines, Bordeaux is also a prominent gastronomic destination in France. The local cuisine reflects the advantages of being a port city on the Atlantic coastline (with its fish and shellfish galore) and a carnivore country.
Perhaps the best place to start your culinary adventure here is the bustling Capuchins Market (March茅 des Capucins), where you can savor... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Perhaps the best place to start your culinary adventure here is the bustling Capuchins Market (March茅 des Capucins), where you can savor... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Bordeaux Introduction Walking Tour
Bordeaux鈥檚 story begins long before vineyards and grand squares 鈥� its earliest name, Burdigala, suggests a Celtic origin tied to rich soil and waterways. Over time, its location on the meandering Garonne shaped both its identity and destiny. As the river curves through the city, it forms a crescent: hence Bordeaux鈥檚 poetic nickname, Port of the Moon, a name used since the Middle Ages to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Architectural Jewels Walking Tour
Napoleon Bonaparte referred to Bordeaux as "The Sleeping Beauty" upon seeing its classical architecture when visiting the city. In his turn, Honore de Balzac, the renowned French novelist, impressed by Bordeaux's timeless charm and elegance described it as "an extraordinary town".
Indeed, Bordeaux is one of Europe's most original architectural centers. More... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Indeed, Bordeaux is one of Europe's most original architectural centers. More... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Historical Churches Walking Tour
Once dubbed 鈥淭he Sleeping Beauty鈥� (La Belle au Bois Dormant), Bordeaux owes its nickname, in large part, to its impossibly beautiful religious architecture. Indeed, given the abundance of historical churches, cathedrals, and basilicas in this city, it's no wonder that a good half of Bordeaux is a UNESCO-listed Heritage Site. Let's delve into the significance of some of them.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles