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Bordeaux Classics: free self-guided audio tour of Bordeaux
Bordeaux Classics is a free self-guided audio walking tour of Bordeaux, France: 5 stops in about 1 h 40. The Itinerarly app walks you from one stop to the next and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
| Stops | 5 |
|---|---|
| Duration | about 1 h 40, including time at each stop |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | about 1.9 km in straight lines between the stops (a little more on foot) |
| Start | Place des Quinconces |
| Finish | Porte Cailhau |
| Price | Free (some sights charge their own entry ticket) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
Quinconces, Bourse & Saint-Pierre
The stops, in order
- Place des QuinconcesWelcome to Place des Quinconces, the largest square in France and one of the vastest in Europe. Its name comes from the staggered (quinconce) arrangement of the trees lining it. The central element is the spectacular Monument to the Girondins, whose 43-meter column is topped by Liberty breaking her chains.
- Place de la BourseWelcome to Place de la Bourse, current jewel of 18th-century Bordeaux classical architecture. Designed by King's architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel, this royal square symbolizes Bordeaux opening up to the river and the world. Opposite lies the Water Mirror, a spectacular 3,450 square meter installation that is the world's largest reflecting pool.
- Saint-Pierre QuarterYou are entering the Saint-Pierre Quarter, the spiritual and historical heart of Old Bordeaux, where the Gallo-Roman port once stood. This labyrinth of medieval streets with names evocative of old trades, such as Rue des Argentiers, is now full of restaurants, wine bars, and designer boutiques. It is the epicenter of Bordeaux's nightlife and conviviality, where the limestone facades light up at nightfall.
- Pey-Berland TowerThe Pey-Berland Tower is one of the most iconic monuments in the Bordeaux landscape. This isolated bell tower of the cathedral was built in the 15th century at the request of Archbishop Pey Berland. Its summit is crowned by a monumental gilded copper statue, Our Lady of Aquitaine, watching over the city.
- Porte CailhauPorte Cailhau, erected in 1494, is a true Renaissance jewel. This monumental triumphal arch once served as the city's main gate and celebrated Charles VIII's victory at the Battle of Fornovo. Admire its pepperpot roofs, royal sculptures, and delicate carved details witnessing the end of the Middle Ages and the dawn of a new artistic era.
How to take this tour
- Install the free Itinerarly app on iPhone or Android and create a free account.
- Open Guided tours, choose Bordeaux, then Bordeaux Classics.
- Start whenever you like: the app guides you to Place des Quinconces and the story plays when you arrive at each stop.
Other audio tours of Bordeaux
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Bordeaux Classics tour in Bordeaux free?
- Yes. It is one of 3 free self-guided audio tours of Bordeaux in the Itinerarly app. Some sights charge their own entry ticket.
- How long does the Bordeaux Classics tour take?
- About 1 h 40 for 5 stops, including time at each stop.
- Where does the Bordeaux Classics tour start and finish?
- It starts at Place des Quinconces and finishes at Porte Cailhau.
- Which languages is the narration in?
- English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, with natural-sounding synthetic voices.