Place de la Bourse (Stock Exchange Square), Bordeaux

Place de la Bourse (Stock Exchange Square), Bordeaux (must see)

Stock Exchange Square is one of those squares that seems to have been designed to impress you the second you arrive 鈥� and it mostly succeeds. Perched on the edge of the Garonne River, it forms a perfect frame: symmetrical fa莽ades, elegant fa莽ades, arcades, and a harmony of classical French design from the 18th century. It was conceived by Jacques Gabriel (who designed Versailles Palace in Paris) and later carried forward by his son Ange-Jacques Gabriel; construction spanned from the early 1730s until mid-century.

Originally called Royal Square, it has worn several names over time: Liberty Square during the Revolution, Imperial Square under Napoleon, and finally Stock Exchange Square. Each name reflects a changing political atmosphere, but the architecture kept its poise.

At its heart sits the Fountain of the Three Graces, installed in 1869. This striking monument replaces earlier symbols: first an equestrian statue of King Louis XV, later another statue during Napoleon鈥檚 reign, all swept away by revolution and reform. The Three Graces represent beauty, joy, and abundance. The fountain blends marble and bronze in a graceful celebration of myth and art.

Do you know? In front of this ensemble lies the Water Mirror 鈥� by the river. It鈥檚 a shallow reflecting pool (just a few centimeters of water over granite) that mirrors the stately buildings, making for magical photos at dusk or dawn. It was added in the early 2000s as part of a riverside renovation, and it has become one of Bordeaux鈥檚 most beloved visual signatures.

Flanking the square are the Stock Exchange Palace (now home to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry) on one side, and the National Museum of Customs, on the other. The entire ensemble is part of Bordeaux鈥檚 UNESCO heritage, an example of how 18th-century urbanism can still feel alive, not fossilized.

A visit here gives you more than pretty fa莽ades and photo ops: it鈥檚 an opportunity to step into the layers of Bordeaux鈥檚 past 鈥� monarchy, revolution, commerce 鈥� all reflected in stone, water, and myth.

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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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Place de la Bourse (Stock Exchange Square)
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.

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

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

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

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

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