The squares of old Bordeaux were created
between the XIIIth and XXth centuries
for the economic, administrative and
religious needs of the inhabitants.
The Place Fernand Lafargue is
mentioned for the first time under the
name of Place du Marché (Lou
Mercat), during the description of a
battle under the city walls in 1248.
Close to the port, the College of Guyenne
and the City Hall, it was used in the
Middle Ages by students, merchants and
pilgrims of St Jacques of Compostella.
The Place Saint-Pierre exists thanks
to its church. The shape of the square
is representative of the "Mysteries",
common in XVth century religious building.
The Saint-Projet square is also the
result of the church, surrounded by
a cemetery.
The Place de Sainte-Colombe has kept
the shape of the religious building
that was built there. The building itself
having fallen down. The inhabitants
of the square purchased the site to
ensure there would be no further constructions
except for a Cross or a fountain.
Indeed, the fountain, a useful addition
to a square is also attractive, be it
Saint-Projet, sculpted by Van der Woort,
later Garros' fountain on today's Place
du Parlement. The old stones, laid during
the last renovation, are in keeping
with the Royal Marché, desired
by Tourny around 1750.
The Place Camille Jullian was the last
square put into the old city, in 1935.
Today, the markets and restaurant terraces
bring these urban areas back to life. |
| Stéphane
de LABORIE |
