Grands Hommes Market Renovation

History of the Great Men market

At the end of the 18th century, there was still no place but a simple hall called the Marché des Recollets. The booming demography of Bordeaux soon led the town hall to replace it with a vast iron market built by the municipal architect Charles Burguet in 1861. It would take a century for modernity to force the building to be leveled to erect the market des Grands Hommes, massive building crowned with a concrete dome.

Meanwhile, it is the convergence of Buffon, Diderot, Montaigne, Montesquieu, Rousseau and Voltaire streets that will give its name to the place of the Great Men, a sort of open-air pantheon dedicated to the free spirits that were these thinkers and philosophers.

From 1961 and for almost 30 years, the traditional market will attract under its heavy dome lovers of quality fresh products.

In 1991, under the impulse of mayor Jacques Chaban-Delmas and after three years of intense work, a shopping mall made of metal and glass very trendy at the time, replaced the old market. On three floors, the new structure now houses historic food stores as well as shops and services.

A memorable step in the history of the Grands Hommes district and a strong memory for the people of Bordeaux since the gallery was visited by Queen Elisabeth II as soon as it opened.

Renovation of the Grands Hommes shopping center

2019, a new step for the Great Men! Dynamic and engaged in important works, Bordeaux had to update the architecture and accesses of this emblematic gallery. Eurocommercial, specialist in commercial real estate and manager of the premises, called on the agency of Bordeaux architects A4 (already at the origin of the new auditorium) for a complete renovation.

The first objective of the work started in the spring: to lighten the external appearance. Metal pillars and hanging lanterns disappear to make way for a glazed canopy and new lighting along the entire building, creating a clear and protected "promenade" for pedestrians. The frame will be repainted and the footprint of the arches preserved so as not to distort the building.

The second goal of the project: to modernize the interior which has become a bit dated. Automatic doors at the entrances, complete overhaul of the paintings and lighting and enhancement of the atrium with a very contemporary suspension.

Of course, the shops and businesses on the ground floor and 1st floor as well as the basement food market will always be there in the new Grands Hommes shopping center whose delivery is scheduled for the last quarter of 2019.

The gallery and its parking lot remain open from Monday to Saturday during the works, at the usual times.

If you want to move in near Place des Grands Hommes, do not hesitate to consult the properties available for sale in our real estate agency in Bordeaux.