Place du Parlement

Overview

The Place du Parlement is a graceful, intimate square in the heart of the Quartier Saint-Pierre — a jewel of mid-18th-century urban design surrounded by harmonious stone facades and anchored by an ornate Italianate fountain.

Highlights

• The Fountain: A charming 1865 neo-Renaissance fountain with putti and garlands at the square's center.
• Restaurant Terraces: Café and restaurant terraces fill the square on warm evenings — one of Bordeaux's most pleasant outdoor dining settings.
• Architecture: Perfectly proportioned 18th-century facades with iron balconies and carved mascarons (stone faces).

History

Laid out in 1754 and originally named Place du Marché Royal, it was renamed Place du Parlement after the Bordeaux Parliament. The Italian-influenced fountain was added in 1865 and recently restored to its original state.

Visitor Tips

• Evening Dining: The terrace restaurants are at their most atmospheric on warm summer evenings.
• Photography: Morning light catches the golden stone facades most beautifully.
• Duration: 10–15 minutes.