Esplanade des Quinconces (Quinconces Square), Bordeaux

The Quinconces Square in Bordeaux is among Europe's largest urban squares. It was formed in 1820 on Château Trompette's grounds to prevent uprisings, its cannons targeting the center. The current elongated shape with a rounded semicircle was set in 1816. Its name comes from the quincunx tree arrangement introduced in 1818.

Two tall 21-meter (69 feet) columns by Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau in 1829 stand near the Garonne. One represents commerce, the other navigation. Sculptor Dominique Fortuné Magges included white-marble statues of Michel de Montaigne and Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, in 1858.

The Monument aux Girondins, built from 1894 to 1902, is a 54-meter tall tribute to the Girondists, victims of the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution. It has a grand pedestal between two basins with bronze horses and troops. A tall column on the pedestal holds a liberty statue on top. The statue's sides bear "G" for Girondins and crescent shapes for the "Port de la Lune," symbolizing the river's curve.

Next to the "Triumph of the Concorde," are statues of Ignorance, Lies, and Vice. Conversely, by the "Triumph of the Republique," stands a sculpture showing a joyful family with a child on a sturgeon, symbolizing happiness. The column was built by Achille Dumilatre and architect Victor Rich, with the base made by Corgolin. Sculptures were by Felix Sharpantie and Gustav Debri, who also crafted the sea horses.

In WWII's 1942, Nazis took French fountain statues for cannons, damaging it. Statues found in Angers later, restored, re-erected in 1983. Girondin Memorial renovated 2004, became historical monument on Mar 16, 2011. Added names of executed Gironde deputies in 1989.