Quai des Chartrons and the Chartrons district

The Chartrons district lies along the Garonne north of Place des Quinconces in Bordeaux, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, centred on the Quai des Chartrons and Rue Notre-Dame. From the 17th century it was the quarter of the wine merchants, or négociants, many of them from northern Europe, who built grand stone mansions and long warehouses by the river to store and ship barrels of Bordeaux wine. Today the area is one of the city's most appealing neighbourhoods for a relaxed walk. Visitors browse Rue Notre-Dame, lined with antique shops, galleries, boutiques and cafés, and look at the old négociants' warehouses, some now converted into museums, offices and homes. On Sundays a market runs along the quay, typically 08:00-14:00, with food, produce and oysters, and it draws locals for a late breakfast. Antique shops open mostly Tuesday to Saturday. A visit takes about 1 to 2 hours, and the area combines well with the CAPC museum at the Entrepôt Laîné, the Jardin Public and the riverside promenade. Entry to the district is free. The best photo angles are along the quay with the river and warehouses, down the length of Rue Notre-Dame, and at the squares where café terraces spill into the street. Crowds are heaviest at the Sunday market, while weekday mornings are quiet and give easier access to antique shops. Tram stop Chartrons serves the area and runs along the quay. The district has a village-like feel compared with the busier centre and reflects Bordeaux's trading history and wine heritage in its architecture, street names and surviving cellars. Visitors interested in wine history can combine the walk with a visit to Bacalan and La Cité du Vin further north along the same river.