Rue Sainte-Catherine

Rue Sainte-Catherine is a pedestrian street about 1.2 kilometres long that runs through the old centre of Bordeaux from Place de la Comédie, beside the Grand Théâtre, to Place de la Victoire. It is often described as the longest shopping street in Europe, and it is the main commercial artery of the city in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. The street is lined with a mix of high-street chains, department stores, bookshops, bakeries, cafés and small independent shops, set in stone buildings of the 18th and 19th centuries. Side streets open off it toward the cathedral, Place Pey-Berland and the Saint-Pierre quarter, so it works as a spine for exploring the historic centre on foot. Visitors come to shop, to browse, or simply to walk the whole length, which takes about an hour without stopping and much longer with stops in shops or cafés. The street is flat, straight and fully pedestrianised, with tram crossings at some junctions, and it can be photographed from either end, with the long perspective of facades and signs. Shops are typically open Monday to Saturday from about 10:00 to 19:30, and some open on Sunday afternoons, so the street is lively for most of the week. Crowds are heaviest on Saturday afternoons, during the winter and summer sales, and in the run-up to Christmas, while morning is the calmest time and allows a more relaxed look at the architecture. Street musicians and performers appear in places, and the cafés at the side-street junctions offer a place to rest. The street is served by the tram stops Sainte-Catherine and Grand Théâtre, so it is easy to start at one end and finish at the other. Combining it with the Grand Théâtre, Place des Quinconces and the quays gives a full day in the centre. Visitors should watch for pickpockets in the busiest sections and keep bags closed.