Jardin Public (Public Garden), Bordeaux

Jardin Public (Public Garden), Bordeaux (must see)

The Jardin Public was first landscaped in 1755, to offer a space for leisure and relaxation to the citizens of Bordeaux. It remains the largest public open space in the city center, and becomes very much the heart of the city during the warm summer months.

The park was constructed using waste ground between three distinct village areas – Bordeaux itself, Saint-Seurin to the north, and Chartrons to the west. The completion of the Jardin Public was a major step in turning Bordeaux into a cohesive urban area. Designed by architects Voisin and Gabriel, the park was laid out in the French style, but was transformed following the French Revolution.

The traditional French gardens were totally renewed under Napoleon III’s reign, becoming a formal English garden, known as the Champ de Mars. This is the place where official ceremonies took place within Bordeaux during the early days of Republican France. The Jardin Public still exists in this form, with the adjacent Botanic Garden moving next door to the park in 1855.

The park is surrounded by elegant 19th century mansions, and split by a stream that runs down to the Garonne. The stream is crossed by a wrought iron bridge, a popular spot to see swans and ducks.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bordeaux. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Jardin Public (Public Garden) on Map

Sight Name: Jardin Public (Public Garden)
Sight Location: Bordeaux, France (See walking tours in Bordeaux)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Bordeaux, France

Create Your Own Walk in Bordeaux

Create Your Own Walk in Bordeaux

Creating your own self-guided walk in Bordeaux is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches Walking Tour

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Once dubbed “The Sleeping Beauty” (La Belle au Bois Dormant), Bordeaux owes its nickname, in large part, to its impossibly beautiful religious architecture. Indeed, given the abundance of historical churches, cathedrals, and basilicas in this city, it's no wonder that a good half of Bordeaux is a UNESCO-listed Heritage Site. Let's delve into the significance of some of them.

The...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Architectural Jewels Walking Tour

Architectural Jewels Walking Tour

Napoleon Bonaparte referred to Bordeaux as "The Sleeping Beauty" upon seeing its classical architecture when visiting the city. In his turn, Honore de Balzac, the renowned French novelist, impressed by Bordeaux's timeless charm and elegance described it as "an extraordinary town".

Indeed, Bordeaux is one of Europe's most original architectural centers. More...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Bordeaux Introduction Walking Tour

Bordeaux Introduction Walking Tour

The metropolitan region of Bordeaux is the fifth largest in France. The city is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, but is perhaps better known as the Wine Capital of the World. The city's namesake wine comes in many varieties that can be found and enjoyed around the world.

The name of Bordeaux is a long-standing debate among historians. The first inhabitants of the region were...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Bordeaux Food Tour

Bordeaux Food Tour

Widely acclaimed for its prestigious wines, Bordeaux is also a prominent gastronomic destination in France. The local cuisine reflects the advantages of being a port city on the Atlantic coastline (with its fish and shellfish galore) and a carnivore country.

Perhaps the best place to start your culinary adventure here is the bustling Capuchins Market (Marché des Capucins), where you can savor...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles