Palace Square

The Place du Palais, in Bordeaux

The Place du Palais is a lively square of old Bordeaux, near the Porte Cailhau and the Garonne. The Bordeaux audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this place laden with history, whose name recalls the former palace of the Dukes of Aquitaine.

The square of the former palace of the dukes

The Place du Palais is one of the most charming and lively squares of old Bordeaux, a stone's throw from the Porte Cailhau and the banks of the Garonne. Its name recalls a building today disappeared: the Palais de l'Ombrière, the former palace of the Dukes of Aquitaine, which stood in this sector. It is there, according to history, that Eleanor of Aquitaine lived, the famous duchess who was queen of France then of England, and whose marriage attached for a time Aquitaine to the English crown. The palace, become a courthouse, was demolished in the nineteenth century. Today, the square, lined with fine old façades, is pedestrian and convivial, lively with restaurants, cafés and terraces. A place of memory and life, the Place du Palais is one of the hearts of old Bordeaux.

What to see

Here you enjoy the pedestrian and convivial square lined with fine old façades, lively with restaurants and terraces, a stone's throw from the Porte Cailhau, whose name recalls the former palace of the Dukes of Aquitaine, the Palais de l'Ombrière, where Eleanor of Aquitaine lived. The Place du Palais is one of the hearts of old Bordeaux. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Place du Palais lies in old Bordeaux, near the Porte Cailhau and the Garonne, reachable on foot. It is a freely accessible public square; the restaurants, cafés and terraces have their own hours. It is particularly lively in the evening.

Where does the name of the Place du Palais come from in Bordeaux?

From the former palace of the Dukes of Aquitaine, the Palais de l'Ombrière, which stood in this sector and where Eleanor of Aquitaine lived; become a courthouse, it was demolished in the nineteenth century.

Where is the Place du Palais of Bordeaux?

In old Bordeaux, near the Porte Cailhau and the Garonne, in France.