Porte Cailhau (Cailhau Gate), Bordeaux

The Cailhau Gate is a medieval city gate that stands proudly at the edge of Bordeaux's historic center. Constructed between 1493 and 1496, this monumental gateway was built to commemorate King Charles VIII鈥檚 victory at the Battle of Fornovo. Its design blends Gothic and Renaissance elements, featuring pointed turrets, intricate carvings, and a prominent niche housing a statue of the king. Interestingly, the name 鈥淐ailhau鈥� is believed to derive from the Gascon word for 鈥減ebbles,鈥� possibly referring to the ballast stones used in ships that once docked nearby.

Serving as a main entrance to the city, the Cailhau Gate was strategically positioned to protect Bordeaux from potential threats. Its imposing structure includes defensive features such as machicolations and arrow slits, reflecting the city's need for fortification during the late 15th century. The gate also provided access to the Ombri猫re Palace, the residence of the Dukes of Guyenne.

Today, the Cailhau Gate stands as a symbol of Bordeaux's rich history. Visitors can admire its architectural beauty from the Palace Square, where it continues to be a focal point of the city's heritage.

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: Porte Cailhau (Cailhau Gate)
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.

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 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

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

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

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