The name Bordeaux is always a synonym of often exceptional quality for all wine lovers. Bordeaux undoubtedly owes this international reputation to its role in the wine trade.
Wine has undeniably left its mark on the city. Previously populated with foreign traders, the Chartrons neighbourhood still bears traces of its heyday. Discover the city through its wine.
Nobody has forgotten the activity of the port on the Chartrons Quays that continued unabated until the end of the last century.
A work by the Bordelais painter, Lacour in 1804, exhibited in the Museum of Decorative Arts gives a good idea of the atmosphere. Between the banks of the river, and the fine facades of the wealthy wine merchants, a whole crowd of sailors and workers contributed to the activity of the commerce among the piles of cases and barrels. River boats would pull up to the quayside loaded with the wares from the larger tall ships that were anchored in the channel. Lines of lime trees and two fountains gave the quays a certain charm and made for an agreeable promenade.
The name of the quarter comes form the Chartreux Convent that was built at the end of the XIVth century, the Chartrons Quarter however owes its wealth to the wine trade that was undertaken by the English merchants and then the merchants from further north.
The Fleming, Conrad Gaussen drained the area at the beginning of the XVIIth century. Where once a long line of gabled houses formed the facade of the quays, two Dutch houses remain today.
The explosion of colonial commerce in addition to the wine industry meant that Bordeaux underwent spectacular growth during the latter part of the XVIIIth century. The wealthy merchants built sumptuous residences, many of which can still be seen today throughout the city.
Up until the revolution, the quarter stretched from beyond the cours de Verdun towards Bacalan to the North, where the great Bordeaux manufacturers established themselves under the Restoration, and to the South, the old Pavé des Chartrons, beyond which was the Château Trompette. The demolition of this fort allowed for the construction of the Esplanade des Quinconces and the Lainé Warehouses during the first half of the XIXth century.
Eric COUTUREAU
BORDEAUX WINE FESTIVAL
The art of celebrating and discovering
Bordeaux's city council has offered fans of wine, gastronomy, celebrations and culture the opportunity to share moments of delight and conviviality on Europe's largest downtown square.
In order to make sure the thousands of French and international visitors spend four remarkable days, BORDEAUX WINE FESTIVAL spread out on the banks of the Garonne River, which passes through the city.
With the TASTING Pass, visitors had the opportunity to savour, in one location, vintage wines from vineyards in and around Bordeaux; and during the day, with the VINEYARD Pass, they can head out to discover the Gironde region's landscapes, wine-producing châteaux and heritage.
Package deals focusing on wine and heritage, wine and golf, art and wine, etc. have also been proposed by our partners.
