The Esplanade des Quinconces, the place for festivities

Originally, Château Trompette stood on the site of the Esplanade until the Girondins decided to destroy it. It took ten years to build the square, with trees planted in staggered rows in 1818 and the two rostral columns erected in 1829, one representing commerce and the other navigation, Mercury and Artemis. A few years later, between 1894 and 1902, the Girondins monument was built in memory of the Girondin republican deputies who were victims of the Terror.

The area around the Esplanade des Quinconces is home to a host of cultural attractions, including the Musée d'Art Contemporain, Saint-André Cathedral, the Femina Theatre, the Opéra National de Bordeaux and the Centre National Jean Moulin. The square is also home to a number of important monuments, including the Girondins monument, its fountain inspired by the Apollon Basin in Versailles, and the rostral columns.

The Place des Quinconces is a popular square in Bordeaux, hosting many festivities. The wine festival, the river festival, the antiques fair and many other events take place here every year. The Euro 2016 Fan Zone took place here, with over 62,000 people watching all the matches on a giant screen. Circuses such as Circus Amar, Circus Pinder and Circus Bouglione are also staged in the Quinconces. It's a lively, jovial atmosphere that creates a certain closeness between locals and visitors. You can also take a leisurely stroll along the quays opposite and enjoy the view over the river.

The Ferris wheel is a tourist attraction open during the summer holidays. It's a great way to get a bird's eye view of the city of Bordeaux. It rotates all day from 11am to midnight, taking you 50 metres above the ground for a total of 7 euros, and for under-12s the price is 5 euros.

The Villa Foch Boutique Hotel and Spa offers a warm welcome and quality service near the Place des Quinconces. The hotel has a swimming pool, sauna and gym, as well as a wellness centre.

Just an 8-minute walk from the Place des Quinconces, take a trip to Asia at Mifan, an Asian restaurant offering culinary specialities from a variety of countries: South China, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. It is open Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 11pm and closed from 2pm to 7pm.

The Juliena tea room is also just an 8-minute walk from the Esplanade, offering a wide range of pastries. It is open every day from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6.30pm.