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Monument aux Girondins

Monument aux Girondins

Monument aux Girondins
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksMonuments & StatuesFountains
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saronic
Zurich, Switzerland28,960 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
This bombastic monument radiating energy and action is located by the western side of the Place des Quinconces. It was erected towards the end of the 19th century in honour of the Girondists, a loose faction of deputies of the 'Assemblée nationale législative', the parliament during the French Revolution. They were usually members of the upper bourgeoisie, with many originating from the Gironde, thus the name.

Considered as moderates they got into conflict with the Montagnards, whose members mostly came from Paris. End of October 1793 the Girondists were sentenced to the guillotine, marking the beginning of the 'Reign of Terror'. In later years they were looked upon as 'Martyrs of Liberty'. In this spirit this monument was erected.

Being a fountain as well, although without water, when we visited, it is full of symbols and allegories. In the middle stands a tall column with at the top a female with wings, thus an angel, representing 'Liberty breaking her iron'. The figure is wearing a Phrygian cap so typical for the French Revolution.

Underneath we see various sculptures, mostly nude or half nude females, but also men, putti and various creatures like sea horses. On two sides are seated figures, one representing the Republic, the other the Concorde. Other females are allegories of History and Eloquence. One stands for the City of Bordeaux, with two completely naked women on her sides: the river Garonne with a swan and the river Dordogne with a duck.

Other sculptures of the total 34 are the Gallic rooster, the putto riding a sturgeon and the three fallen men, standing for the sins: Ignorance, Dishonesty and Vice. For 40 years all the bronze figures had been missing, since the Germans in 1943 wanted to have them melted down. Taken away by railway to a foundry, they reappeared suddenly, since obviously French workers had them hidden instead of destroyed.
Written February 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Apostolos I
Heraklion, Greece2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2024 • Solo
Bordeaux is an adorable city. Friendly to the visitor. We were impressed by a lot. But I did not expect in a Western metropolis that I would meet the mentality that existed in Greece in the 60s and no longer exists. In public transport they always offered us their place.
I and my husband visit cities. We've always used MMM until now. You have the sounds and the smell of the city. Touring this city is easy and cheap. You buy a 7-day ticket (bus, tram and VAT3, the ferry) for 17 euros and unlimited journeys. You download the TVM app on your mobile and so you have real-time how many minutes the bus will pass by your stop or when it is shifted. How to get from one point of the city to another quickly and safely. You end up using it to get to the airport.
We stayed 7 days in the suburbs. Merigniac. Quiet. Beautiful.
For the rest you will find enough in other reviews.
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Written September 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trainbleu
Brussels, Belgium38,659 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
The extravagant Monument aux Girondins with people and animals tumbling in all directions, adds some lustre to the otherwise very dull Place des Quinconces, especially in winter when the trees are leafless. Spoiled by our present-day image culture we cannot even begin to imagine the overwhelming impression it must have made on nineteenth-century viewers. But they were probably much better at decrypting its symbolism.

The overly complex form of the monument is due to the fact that it combines two 19th century projects of the city of Bordeaux: one to erect a Monument to the Girondins revolutionaries on Place Dauphine (now Place Gambetta) and one to create an allegorical fountain on Place des Quinconces. In the end a fountain monument was built between 1894 and 1902. It is packed with history. The monument didn’t appeal to us but we sat nearby and did a lot of reading about its history, the French Revolution and the Girondins.
Written September 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

retireeVancouver
Vancouver, Canada1,828 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
This is an unusually large fountain filled with frolicking snorting horses with crab-like claws emerging from rocks while a group of men tumble into the water below. This scene is repeated on both curved fountain bowls on either side of the pedestral holding the very tall column with a Liberty statue atop breaking its chains. The chaotic water scene is such a contrast to the serene posture of "sunbathing" goddesses at the foot of the tall coumn. The figures in the water now have a turquoise patina which also contrasts to the white marble used for the goddesses. There are stairs that lead up to the pedestal for a closer look at the figures. There is a plaque near the fountain that explain in English why and when the fountain was erected. This fountain was a "must see photostop" for me.
Written December 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Malek Q
East Jerusalem81 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023
Very central in Bordeaux and one can see the tall column from many different areas in the city center and from the different transport lines. The sculptures around the column are amazing and nice to see from the front and from behind after ascending the few steps. The square in front is rather dull and could be utilized in more interesting ways.
Written July 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brad
Hong Kong, China177,672 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
This is a important monument and Historical Monument in Bordeaux (2011) located within the semi-circular western end of Esplanade des Quinconces. The monument was erected between 1894-1901 and is dedicated to the Girondian victims of the Terror associated with the French Revolution.

What you see is a decorative 43-metre tall column topped with a bronze statue of the angel Liberty, breaking free from her chains. At the base, there are female figures as well as two basins upon which you will see busy composition of bronze figures as well as horses bursting forward. The basins were well dry and unused during our September visit, might have been turned off for the upcoming winter season. Would be quite interesting to see when filled with water.
Written October 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul F1132
Bordeaux, France331 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Solo
Simply put, the Girondins, during the Revolution, opposed the Montagnards. Then the Girondins to the Jacobins, the provincials to the Parisians. It is in a way the opposition of decentralisation to centralisation. It is extremely simplified because coalitions and compromises for the conquest of power were raging at that time. Nothing's changed. In 1793, 21 Gironde deputies were executed following mock trials. To honour them, the fountain and column were erected between 1894 and 1902 to honour the vile for her attachment to the Republic. It is a monument that is passed on the occasion of the visit of the Place des quincunces. Unfortunately we don't know his feelings. It is only a building in memory of those who fought for the people and restore power to the people. Genuine decentralization before the time that can reasonably be expected to have passed. Songez y.
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Written June 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fivi
Zamora, Spain1,710 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Located in the center of the Place des Quinconces, it was built at the end of the 19th century in memory of the Girondins beheaded in 1792. The impressive column, visible from various points of the city and about 50 meters high, is topped by a figure which represents Liberty breaking her chains and is surrounded by two impressive fountains, the south side pays tribute to the “Triumph of the Republic” and the north side to the “Triumph of Concord”. The bronze sculptures are truly impressive and you have to look at each one of them in detail. We took advantage of the heat to rest for a while on the access stairs to the top of the monument. It's a shame that the square it's in doesn't feel cared for. I think the monument would benefit from grass around it.
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Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Raúl N
Antequera, Spain2,265 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Couples
Central monument of the Plaza des Quinconces and spectacular for both size and impressive billing. Grand monument to Liberty and posthumous tribute to the brave Girondins who suffered terror during the French Revolution.

On both sides of the immense column are two beautiful bronze fountains that are perfect for one of the best souvenir photos of your stay in Bordeaux.
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Written July 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bbel38
Grenoble, France1,314 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
The Monument to the Girondins of Bordeaux is on the Esplanade des Quinconces. It was built between 1894 and 1902 in memory of the Gironde deputies guillotined during the Terror in 1793.

It was classified as a historic monument in 2011.

It is really a little architectural marvel not to be missed and photographed from all angles.
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Written September 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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