Bordeaux architecture
The capital of Gironde is a city of architectural treasures. It's not for nothing that UNESCO has included it on its list of exceptional urban ensembles. In chronological order, the earliest architectural remains date back to the Roman period, as witnessed by the ancient amphitheatre and the Palais Gallien. Nevertheless, the city is characterized by its classical and neo-classical style, which developed from the 18th century onwards. It was at this time that major embellishment work was launched, under the impetus of one of the city's historic figures: Louis-Urbain Aubert de Tourny, who left his name to the alleys linking the Place du Grand Théâtre to the Place Tourny. Under Louis XV, he decided to create most of Bordeaux's gates and created the Jardin Public. Not to mention the Place de la Bourse, the Place du Parlement, the boulevards... At the time, the project was monumental! A few years later, the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, commissioned by Marshal Richelieu, was inaugurated with a performance of Racine. The neo-classical monument is inspired by antiquity. A masterpiece! Bordeaux's second architectural project dates from the early 19th century and was initiated by the mayor of the time, Adrien Marquet. It introduced elements of Art Deco style. The Judaïque swimming pool is a perfect example. Listed as a Monument Historique, this swimming pool is one of the most spectacular achievements of the inter-war period. The architectural panorama of the Bordeaux area would not be complete without mentioning two architectural "eccentricities" worth visiting, one in Pessac and the other in Mérignac. Located in the heart of Pessac, the Cité Frugès is a curiosity in the landscape. It was built in 1924 by the famous architect Le Corbusier. It's a working-class housing estate. The Cité Frugès has even been listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco since 2016. In addition to its avant-garde architecture, this housing estate was one of the first to include social housing. These too were conceived and designed by Le Corbusier. The second striking building is in Mérignac. This is the Maison Carrée d'Arlac, also known as Château Peychotte. A true emblem of the town, this extravagant building will make you feel like you're in Washington, in front of the White House!
The bastides of Gironde
The Bordeaux region also boasts a number of "new towns" dating back to the Middle Ages. These are known as bastides, and can be recognized by their typical architecture. They are built around a square square with arcades. For the record, Gironde's bastides are English in origin, since at the time the region was attached to the English crown, following the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Only one is French: Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, founded in 1255 by Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of Saint-Louis. The latter is particularly noteworthy for its old half-timbered houses and 18th-century mansions. Nowadays, the squares have become market halls and fairgrounds, places for sharing and meeting! Discover the towns of Blasimon, Cadillac, Créon, Libourne, Monségur, Pellegrue and Sauveterre-de-Guyenne.
The seaside architecture
Bordered by coastline, the Aquitaine coast is marked by its seaside architecture. In Gironde, Arcachon is a must-see for beach lovers. La Ville d'Hiver is an exceptional district, picturesque and fanciful, with villas dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, each more original than the last. Moorish pavilions, chiselled balconies, Swiss chalets, Gothic manor houses, Hispanic-inspired villas, extravagant roofs, exotic gardens... La Ville d'Hiver is a veritable mosaic in which to stroll. Along with Arcachon, Biarritz is one of the architectural gems of the South-West. Originally a small fishing village, it was Empress Eugénie, Napoleon's wife, who made the town her holiday resort. From the end of the 19th century onwards, Biarritz was a place of art nouveau and art deco. The neo-medieval Villa Belza, nestled on Biarritz's rocky coastline, is worth a visit. Other highlights include the Art Deco municipal casino, the Russian Orthodox church and numerous neo-Basque villas. On the Landes coast, the same inspiration that gave rise to the villas of Arcachon and Biarritz also extended into the hinterland, creating picturesque landscapes. As a result, it's not uncommon to come across houses with a highly eclectic architectural style. In Hossegor, the "Basque-Landesque" style of these superb villas also sets the tone for the town.
Basque houses
During your stay in the Basque Country, get lost in the small, picturesque villages along the coast. The architecture of the houses, called etxe in Basque, is fascinating! For many, traditional Basque houses are synonymous with the color red. However, it's only since the 19th century that paint has been used; before that, wood was left untreated. There are several types of Basque house architecture, the most emblematic of which is undoubtedly the Labourdine house. It's recognizable by its whitewashed walls, painted woodwork and double-sloped, red-tiled roof. But it's not always red: you'll also find green and blue houses. Architecturally, these houses follow the same structure. They all have a huge facade with windows and half-timbering (reminiscent of Alsatian or Norman half-timbering), facing east and pierced by a two- to five-metre interior porch, called the lorio. Inside, you enter through theeskaratz, the traditional heart. The houses are built with Rhune sandstone, oak and chestnut for the floors. To admire these beautiful Basque houses, the village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is well worth a visit. Don't miss the Arcanzola house, the oldest in town. In Bidart, a seaside resort on the coast, and in the small village of Ascain, the white and red houses of the Labourdines are also full of charm.
Romanesque architecture
Along with the Gothic, the Romanesque style is in the majority on the Aquitaine coast. The region is a major meeting place for pilgrims, with no less than four routes on the Camino de Compostela. In Gironde, you can visit the abbey church of La Sauve-Majeure, a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture and sculpture. Many pilgrims come here as part of their pilgrimage. The abbey is one of the department's finest architectural jewels, thanks in particular to the wealth of capitals. Romanesque art is also an integral part of the Landes region's heritage, in both civil and religious monuments. The town of Mont-de-Marsan is particularly noteworthy for its Romanesque fortified houses dating back to the Middle Ages, shortly after the town was founded. The Donjon Lacataye is one such example. Built in the 13th century, this building is a vestige of the fortifications and, contrary to appearances, two Romanesque fortified houses form a single monument, used at the time as an observation post on the Midou river. The Landes region is also home to one of Aquitaine's greatest Romanesque jewels. The church of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Sever, in Chalosse, is listed by Unesco as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. Architectural enthusiasts will appreciate this exceptional building with over 150 capitals, some 50 of which date back to the Middle Ages.
The castles
Finally, how can we talk about the architecture of our region without mentioning its castles and fortresses? These spectacular buildings on the Aquitaine coast bear witness to the region's rich history. Sometimes intact, sometimes in ruins, numerous fortified castles bear witness to medieval France, including the Château de Roquetaillade in Gironde and the Château de Mauléon in the Basque Country. Castles are architectural treasures and journeys back in time. In Gironde, Château Mongenan, planted in the vineyards of Portets, takes us back to another era with its 18th-century museum, its Masonic temple and its gardens classified as Jardins Remarquables. A superb Louis XV residence, the château is now open to the public. In the Landes region, it's the Château de Gaujacq that catches the eye. A seventeenth-century manor house, this building is unique and singular. Its Italianate construction and cloistered garden make it an exceptional place to visit. Of all these châteaux, Abbadia is undoubtedly one of the most original. Situated on the cliffs of Hendaye, it is remarkable for its neo-Gothic style and the richness of its ornamental materials. The architecture here is extravagant, mixing all styles! While inspired by medieval fortified castles, the château has taken great care with its details. Carved crocodiles guard the entrance, and gargoyles have been replaced by elephants, monkeys and snails. Inside, the visit remains an architectural experience in every respect. Each room is decorated with great care, particularly in orientalist style. The highlight of the show is the observatory, once a Mecca of international astronomy. The visit would not be complete without a panoramic view from the top of the cliffs. The landscapes surrounding Château d'Abbadia, built by the famous architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, are truly remarkable.
