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Rue Sainte Catherine & Place de la Victoire, Bordeaux

Place de la Victoire, Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Description

The Place de la Victoire (Victory Square) is one of Bordeaux main public squares, the name is used to commemorate the Allied victory at the end of WW1. It is surrounded by buildings with neo-classical facades and has one arc de triomphe at its centre: the Porte Aquitaine which was built in the middle of the 18th century. The square marks the southern end of rue Sainte-Catherine, one of Europe's longest (1250m) and busiest pedestrian streets and the city's main shopping area. At the northern end, the street links to the Triangle d'Or and the Grand Théâtre. The name of Sainte Catherine comes from a chapel by that name built in the 11th by the order of the Knights Hospitaller.

Access & Transport

Tram B stops at Place de la Victoire, as well as several buses (1, 5, 11, 15, 20). The Sainte Catherine tram stop (line A) is located around mid-way on the south-north axis and the Grand Théâtre stop (line B) is the best option at the northern end.

Instructions & Recommendations

This area is very lively every day and Place de la Victoire in the evenings in particular - it is a good option for an evening out, bars are packed with students. If you want a quiet experience, we suggest visiting in the morning.

Meta review

Place de la Victoire is not considered a must see in the city and reviewers generally state that it is nice but there isn't that much to see beyond the old city gate, the obelisk and the turtle sculptures. Rue Sainte Catherine on the other hand gets a lot more press in travel magazines as a shopper's haven and accordingly it gets completely different reviews from shoppers who think it is amazing in opposition to those who find it too busy and of little interest (beyond the fact that it is pedestrian).

Environmental & Social

Mostly concrete with no green spaces. Socially neutral as commercialization / consumerisms balances out the architecture preservation aspect.

Conclusion

Rue Sainte Catherine is worth "experiencing" once for everybody, but it really is meant for shoppers only - not much else to do. Place de la Victoire is a natural end or starting point to the street and is worth a quick look if you are around. In a normal city, the arc de triomphe and obelisk surrounded by impressive buildings would stand out, but in Bordeaux there is too much competition from other monuments!

Key positive

Excellent for shopping

Good bar options with a young crowd at Place de la Victoire

Key negative

Nothing very interesting beyond shopping

Both the street and the square can be crowded

Suitability

No restrictions

About this Rating

TYPE

Onsite

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Timings here match shops opening hours (many close on Sunday).

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:1h 30m

Regulated hours

Monday10:00 - 19:00

Tuesday10:00 - 19:00

Wednesday10:00 - 19:00

Thursday10:00 - 19:00

Friday10:00 - 19:00

Saturday10:00 - 19:00

Sunday11:00 - 19:00

Pricing
Free

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