Bordeaux | France | Quai Richelieu | Week 33

Bordeaux [spanish: Burdeos; arabic: Būrdū], founded by Celts in the 3rd century BC, lies close to the Atlantic coast in southwest France, 450 km north of Barcelona, 450 km west of Lyon and 500 km south of Paris. It is the largest city in southwestern France and the 9th largest city in France.

Population: 250.000 [2015] | 210.000 [1990] | 263.000 [1931] | 257.000 [1901]

The Romans called the city Burdigala and made it the capital of their province Aquitania. Later it was also the capital of Guyenne during the time of english rule. The city has always profited from its strategic position along the cost and several trade routes, which guaranteed wealth via trade, especially of its wine, still renowned worldwide today. Today it is the capital of the region Nouvelle-Aquitaine, seat of an arch bishop and the historic centre is a UNESCO world heritage site. It has also been the capital of France for three short periods during german invasions in the last 150 years.

The complete old town of Bordeaux has been awarded an ensemble UNESCO world heritage site status. It is nicknamed the Port de la Lune (Port of the Moon) and is known for its consistent architectural character, created in the age of Enlightenment. Above we see the front along the river Garonne and the Quai Richelieu. In the centre we see the Porte Cailhau, one of the main sights of Bordeaux and the former main gate towards the harbour (errected in 1495).

Photography by Victor Lavilla.

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France Bordeaux Quai Richelieu

For classic view and more infos about the place (german link):

Bordeaux Quai Richelieu

We have documented a large number of views from french cities, find more examples inside our France archive.

Strasbourg | France | La Petit France | Week 14

Strasbourg [german: Straßburg; dutch: Straatsburg], founded by the Romans as Argentoratum in 12 BCE, lies 100 km west of Stuttgart, 200 km south of Frankfurt and about 450 km east of Paris, largest city of the french region Alsace and 7th largest city in France.

Population: 274.000 (2012) | 252.000 (1990) | 181.000 (1931) | 151.00 (1900)

Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace (german: Elsass) region, however today it is also one of the capitals of europe, being the seat of the several european institutions like the Council of Europe and the European Parliament as well as the International Institute of Human Rights. Strasbourg’s historic city centre, the Grande Île, has been declared an UNESCO world heritage site in 1988. Historically the city often changed sides between german or french rulers. Since the late 17th century mainly french, german was still the main language till the end of WWII. Strasbourg is an important economic centre and its port is the second largest on the Rhine after Dusiburg, Germany.

La Petit France is a historic quarter in the centre of Strasbourg, part of its UNESCO world heritage site. Here the river Ill forms a number of channels with half timbered houses lining up on the shores and the narrow streets, most of them dating from the 16th and 17th century. La Petit France is now one of Strasbourg’s main tourist attractions.

Visit our archive for other streetline panoramas from France.

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Panorama Strasbourg La Petit France

For classic view (german link):

Strasbourg Petit France

In our archive other streets and squares from Strasbourg are documented. Two unfinnished examples can be seen below.

Grand Rue

Strasbourg Grand Rue Panorama

Rue des Grandes Arcades

Architecture Strasbourg Rue des Grandes Arcades