Cailhau Gate

The Porte Cailhau, in Bordeaux

The Porte Cailhau is a magnificent medieval and Renaissance gate of Bordeaux, by the Garonne. The Bordeaux audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this spectacular building with the appearance of a fairytale castle, the former gate of honour of the town.

The triumphal gate by the river

The Porte Cailhau is one of the finest and most spectacular gates of Bordeaux. Built at the end of the fifteenth century, in 1495, it was erected at once as a defensive gate of the town, opening onto the port and the Garonne, and as a triumphal arch in honour of King Charles VIII and his victory at the battle of Fornovo, in Italy. Its architecture marks the transition between the late Gothic and the early Renaissance: with its turrets, its conical pepperpot roofs, its dormers and its ornaments, it evokes a fairytale castle rather than a military work. For a long time, it served as the gate of honour of the town. Today, you can climb its floors to discover its history and fine views. A jewel of the medieval heritage, the Porte Cailhau is one of the emblematic monuments of Bordeaux.

What to see

You admire the magnificent gate of 1495, at once defensive and triumphal in honour of Charles VIII, with an architecture between Gothic and Renaissance, with its turrets, its conical pepperpot roofs and its dormers evoking a fairytale castle, the former gate of honour of the town by the Garonne. The Porte Cailhau is an emblematic monument of Bordeaux. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Porte Cailhau lies by the Garonne, on the Place du Palais, in the heart of old Bordeaux, reachable on foot. You admire its exterior freely; the climb into the gate follows its own hours and conditions, which vary with the season. It is best to check the arrangements before coming.

Why was the Porte Cailhau built in Bordeaux?

Built in 1495, it was at once a defensive gate opening onto the port and a triumphal arch in honour of King Charles VIII and his victory at the battle of Fornovo; its architecture between Gothic and Renaissance evokes a fairytale castle.

Where is the Porte Cailhau?

By the Garonne, on the Place du Palais, in the heart of old Bordeaux, in France.