‘Porte Cailhau’, a 15th century gatehouse, stands on Place du Palais on one side and the Bordeaux riverfront on the other.

Situated between the mouths of Bordeaux’s two main rivers, the Peugue (Cours d’Alsace-Lorraine) and Devèze (Rue de la Motte), it was the main entry into the city from the port and used to be part of the defensive walls of the city (which can still be seen today).

It gave access to the Palais de l’Ombrière, the residence of the Dukes of Guyenne and then seat of the Parliament of Bordeaux from 1462.

At the time, the vertical quay-side did not exist. The shore gently sloped down towards the river, and smaller boats would unload the ships that were anchored in the river.

Today, Porte Cailhau stands as a testament to Bordeaux’s medieval past. Many have suggested that it resembles a ‘Disney’ building, such its resemblance to a fairytale building!