Place des Quinconces and Monument aux Girondins

Place des Quinconces is one of the largest city squares in Europe, covering about 126,000 square metres between the centre of Bordeaux and the Garonne. It was laid out in the 1820s on the site of a former fortress, the Château Trompette, and takes its name from the quincunx pattern of the tree plantings along its edges. The square is a vast open esplanade of gravel and lawn, framed by lines of trees and statues of figures from French history and thought, including Montaigne and Montesquieu. Its focal point is the Monument aux Girondins, built between 1894 and 1902 to commemorate the Girondin deputies who were executed during the French Revolution. The column rises about 43 metres and is topped by a bronze figure of Liberty breaking her chains, while at the base two monumental fountains in bronze and stone feature horses, tritons and allegorical figures that visitors can walk around and photograph from close range. The scale of the square is its main attraction, and the best view is from the base of the column looking toward the river, or from the far end of the esplanade, where the monument stands out against the sky. A visit usually takes about 30 minutes, since the site is open and free to enter at any time. In the evening the fountains and monument are lit, and families, joggers and skaters use the open space. The square also hosts fairs and events through the year, including a large Christmas market in December and a funfair in some seasons. These periods bring crowds and stalls, while at other times the space feels almost empty, especially in the morning. The tram stop Quinconces sits at its edge, and Rue Sainte-Catherine, the Grand Théâtre and the quays are all within a short walk, so the square fits easily into a route through the centre of this Nouvelle-Aquitaine city.