Esplanade des Quinconces

Fountain and Square in Bordeaux

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Orikrin1998

The Esplanade des Quinconces in Bordeaux is one of the largest city squares in Europe, covering approximately 12 hectares. Established between 1810 and 1828 on the site of the former Château Trompette—a fortress constructed after the Hundred Years’ War to assert royal authority—the square was designed to prevent rebellion against the city, with its guns turned towards the center. Its name derives from the original arrangement of trees planted in a quincunx pattern, a geometric configuration where five units are placed with four forming a square or rectangle and the fifth at its center.

Dominating the square is the Monument aux Girondins, erected between 1894 and 1902 to honor the Girondins, a political faction that fell during the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution. This monument features a 43-meter-high column topped by a statue symbolizing the spirit of liberty. At its base, elaborate bronze fountains depict scenes representing the triumph of the Republic and the Concorde, accompanied by figures symbolizing concepts such as History and Eloquence.

At the eastern end of the esplanade, facing the Garonne River, stand two 21-meter-high rostral columns erected in 1829. These columns, adorned with ship prows, commemorate Bordeaux’s maritime and commercial achievements. Atop the columns are statues representing Commerce and Navigation, symbolizing the city’s historical reliance on trade and seafaring.

Today, the Esplanade des Quinconces serves as a central hub for public events, including fairs, concerts, and festivals, reflecting its enduring role in the social and cultural life of Bordeaux.

The Esplanade des Quinconces appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bordeaux!

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