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Since June 28th 2007, Bordeaux has been officially included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is a recognition of the city's value and historic unity, ie., the beauty and unity of style of Bordeaux's architectural heritage that has developed cordially over the centuries has remained remarkably and well-preserved. The Bordeaux World Heritage site, the largest urban entity covers 1,810 acres, or half of the city, from the outer boulevards to the banks of the Garonne.
A rich concentration of monuments in a dynamic city
There are over 347 historic monuments in a protected area of 150 hectares, as well as three churches (Saint-André, Saint-Michel, and Saint-Seurin), already listed as World Heritage sites on the pilgrim road to Santiago de Compostela and a number of assets to convince the jury.
Gironde department an 18th century architectural gem owes its beauty to Architects spanning a number of periods: Jacques Gabriel (Les Allées de Tourny), Victor Louis (Le Grand Théâtre), Jacques d’Welles (the municipal stadium), and Richard Rogers, who designed not only the Beaubourg Centre in Paris, but also the Bordeaux Court of First Instance.
Bordeaux was chosen as world heritage city mainly because of its attractive, vibrant, and cosmopolitan districts. From the narrow streets of the Saint-Michel quarter to buildings from the 60’s and 70’s in Mériadeck. These districts reflect the life of a city that has devoloped without losing its character or identity.
Due to many ambitious urban renewal projects begun in 1996 under the impetus of Mayor Alain Juppé, including development of the quays along the Garonne River, the restoration of many façades, and the light rail transit system made Bordeaux a successful bidder as a World Heritage site.
An even greater attraction to tourists
Because of UNESCO listing, Bordeaux has now enterer a new dimension. The Bordeaux Tourist Office is now organizing new tours within the perimeter defined by UNESCO – a night-time tour to discover the city's most beautiful monuments under floodlights!
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