BORDEAUX DOWN THE AGES
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Bordeaux was already an important town in Gallo-Roman times.
The port of La Deveze was a scene of great commercial activity, whilst a part from this, magnificent buildings stood in an athmosphere of prosperity and refined culture. Famous schools brought many students together.
IVth Century Barbarian invasions gradually destroyed this beautiful city, and to-day only the ruins of the Gallien Amphitheatre testify to the greatness of the buildings in those days.
In the Xth Century the Dukes of Aquitaine restored order, administrative organization and prosperity. Little is left to remind us of that age of recovery apart from a few vestiges of religious architecture.
A new age began when the wedding of Alienor of Aquitaine with Henri Plantagenet (Henry II of Britain) made over the title of Duke of Aquitaine and conveyed the ownership of the huge duchy to the sovereigns of Great Britain.
It was one of the finest periods of economic life in Bordeaux owing to the considerable extension of the wine-trade with Britain, Flanders and the Hanse Towns.
General prosperousness underlay a system of great freedom, and made for promoting the easy life. After the English left there was a momentary desorder, but Louis XI's wise policy gave a fresh impetus to activity.
In the XVIth Century Renaissance there was a marked literary movement and the Guienne University was founded. A few remains of buildings and monuments of religious order recall those days. And then a very refined circle was formed in Bordeaux, arising in the world of the Supreme Court of Justice, which, itself, had its roots in the big traders of La Rousselle.
The XVIIth Century was a hard time for Bordeaux. The final commotions of the Wars of Religion, and the Fronde, a few fiscal measures of an impopular character and the. revocation of the Edict of Nantes lead to a state of unrest which was inauspicious to promoting peace and prosperity. Royal power resisted strongly and the town had to meet the expenses of Fort Louis (no longer standing to-day) and of extending the fortress Château Trompette.
Bordeaux was to meet with ample compensation during theXVIIIth century. A big commercial movement came into being when business dealings with the West-Indies were increased. Strong men made a show of activity that was soon crowned with success, and the whole town took part in this progress. Moreover, the Administrators gave evidence of enlightened town-planning.
Great thoroughfares were made, running out from the centre of the town to the new districts ; buildings were set up. The Customs House, the Stock Exchange and the Theatre gave the town the great appearenct admired by all visitors. Besides these public buildings, magnificent private houses were built in the same lordly, gracefull style which has made Bordeaux one of the finest French towns. Some of these dwellings were quite palatial and were purchased by the Town or the Departement, and were the Headquarters of official Administrations, such as the fine building of Cardinal de Rohan, the seat of the Town-Hall, President Saige's Mansion which was turned into the Prefecture ; the Nairac mansion which is Police-headquarters to-day; and the Paty mansion housing the Town Records. And a good many others might be mentioned.
Of course, life in the town was very splendid and was encouraged by the Governor. Marshal Richelieu, Literary clubs in which Montesquieu, Jean Jacques Bel and President de Gasq shone were the resorts of a highly cultured Society.
It was during the XVIIIth century that the first attempts at classifying the brands of famous Bordeaux wines were noticeable.
The Revolution cast a gloom over this delightful picture, and the Empire Wars put a stop to business activity. However, when peace came business slowly looked up, and did so more positively from 1850 onwards, when it was to become excellent.
By the help of a wise free-trade policy, in 1860 commercial treaties restored a wonderful activity to the wine-trade with all its repercussions, i. e., wealth for Bordeaux, the Famous-Wine Capital.
This revival went on at varying rates until the 1914 War. Then the town followed the fortunes of France, and took the place of Paris, a part which it previously took in 1870.
After a fresh trial, every possible means was used again, and Bordeaux has gone back to its place. It is the fine town with a lordly welcome, and is fascinating and ever delightful. And its choice, dainty fare has by no means made it lose any of its reputation, and its wine is ever The Great French Wine.
Bordeaux : ville d'art, port du bon accueil, cité des grands vins et de la bonne table / guide du syndicat d'initiative