Bordeaux, France; Easter, 2007
The picture shows a modern tram gliding by Bordeaux’s 18th century Palais de la Bourse – or the Palace of the Stock Exchange. The image is reflected in the water mirror on the embankment of the Garonne River – the largest water mirror in the world.
One of the things that struck me most about Bordeaux was the seamless blending of old and new. The city retains grand 18th century architecture from the era of Louis XIV, XV and XVI when it was an important port for France’s colonial trade. It’s not been ruined by rampant over-development. Yet, unlike many historic cities in Europe and around the world, Bordeaux is no museum piece either.
Instead Bordeaux remains what it’s always been – no longer as strategically and economically important perhaps, but still as classy and dignified as ever. It’s a city that’s proud of its past, at home with the present and looking to the future.
The picture above is me standing in the mist when the water mirror turns into a fountain. My guess is that I look slightly less classy and dignified than the city – but then I’m not French.
Old Bordeaux – immediately above the first picture is the Duke’s entrance of the City Gates and the second image is Bordeaux’s 18th century theatre.
New Bordeaux – this shows a contemporary building near the centre of town – proving that modern architecture doesn’t have to mean toy-town home developments and boring tower blocks. It’s actually the High Court, designed by Richard Rogers and completed in 1998 with environmentally sustainable design features.
This post is part of Photo Friday, hosted by Debbie on Delicious Baby. Please click here to view all this week’s posts and here to view my own recent submissions. In the past few weeks I have featured Cornwall, Indonesia, Tasmania and Syria.
I last featured Bordeaux in Photo Friday in August last year, with Bird’s Eye View of Bordeaux.
Lovely! We adored Bordeaux this summer, although we were mostly in the countryside at the most divine spot near Saint-Emilion.
Loved contrasting the vineyards to the ones we saw in Burgundy and Tuscany, as we rode our bikes through them. Even our kidlet likes to go to wine tastings, but the highlight for her was catching ducklings in a beautiful little lake and going down the water slide.
We did not want to leave.
Thanks for the comment. We went wine tasting too, which was fun, especially seeing the rare bats roosting on the stone roof of the cellar. The only problem was that we had to fly back to the UK so we couldn’t buy wine (no liquids in hand luggage and too risky to pack red wine in hold luggage). Another reason to catch the train next time. – Caitlin
These are beautiful photos, especially of the water mirror. I’ve never seen such a thing!
Thank you! I do think the water mirror is very cool. – Caitlin
I loved the architecture of some of those old and ornate buildings when we visited Paris a few years back.
I really liked the contrast in this post between the old and new in Bordeaux with your inclusion of the photo of the modern building. What is that building…and the giant “mushroom” planted at the top of the stair landing?
Architectural photos always fascinate me. Thanks!
Thanks for asking! I might update the post. Believe it or not, it’s the High Court. It was designed by Richard Rogers and completed in 1998 and it has environmentally sustainable design features. – Caitlin
Beautiful pictures! Love the one of you in the mist…and yes very
un-French of you.
I’m just like Dominique, I love the contrast between old and new architecture in many European cities – especially when it’s done well.
Great photos!
It must just come naturally to the French! Whenever we are there, I hope that that ability to throw things together so elegantly seeps in through osmosis- wishful thinking. Your pictures are terrific and capture the beauty of the French architecture. Thanks for sharing.
How long did you spend there? The environmental building is really interesting. Wonderful use of water in the pictures!
We were there for the Easter long weekend, so three to four days. – Caitlin
I love the use of the old and the new. The first picture is beautiful! I hadn’t heard of this water mirror…very cool!
Hi Caitlin,
What a beautiful part of France! That mirror lake is spectacular.
Peace
Wow – I really want to go there. Your photos are fantastic. That water mirror is awesome. Thanks for showing us this lovely place.