10 Things To Do In La Bastide, Bordeaux

Pont de Pierre is the magnificent stone bridge that connects the city to La Bastide district. The bridge was constructed during the recovery period after the French revolution and boasts a staggering 13 arches. The bridge serves as a reminder of the rich political history of France and contrasts directly with Bordeaux’s modern Jacques Chaban-Delmas bridge, a contemporary piece of architecture with a vertical moving section that allows vessels to pass underneath and into the city. Try and catch sight of both bridges in the evening, when they are bathed in a magical white light, illuminating their architecture and the Garonne.

For a magnificent panorama of the river, stroll along the Quai des Quayries, a stretch that boasts spectacular buildings and overlooks the Chartons district of the city on the other side of the Garonne. This is the perfect spot to contemplate Bordeaux’s rich industrial heritage and the sheer power and magnitude of the river. The Garonne was significant in boosting Bordeaux’s thriving wine trade, as well as detrimental to its role in the slave trade, giving ships access to the Atlantic Ocean and East Africa. The river irrefutably transformed the city into a powerful epicenter of trade in the 18th century and remains a powerful force to this day.

The Saint Marie de la Bastide church was built in the mid-19th century by architect Paul Abadie in a neo-classical style. The ostentatious church is characterized by its long, slender bell tower and domed chalk white roof. The church has an abundance of Gothic charm, complete with gargoyles and an enchanting church lantern. The interior boasts an unconventional wooden roof that was inventively designed to compete with the swampy foundations of the earth.

Address & telephone number: 62 Avenue Thiers, 33100, Bordeaux, +33 5 56 91 81 82

Place Stalingrad is a charming square and broad space that greets visitors to the district after crossing the stone bridge. The square extends into the wide thoroughfare Avenue Thiers, the route to the east and Paris. Surrounding the square are a handful of small cafés where visitors can sit and while away the afternoon, watching the locals go about their daily routine.