Bordeaux - a closeup showing no road
Bordeaux - a closeup showing no road

As you will see from this enlargement of the full image there is no perimeter coast road when the photo was taken in the 1860/70's. The new road and slipway were built in 1888.



I am indebted to alan Ritchie for the following information.


"The first section of "sea wall" (actually a substantial breakwater) was built around 1830. This still exists, partly as the "garden wall" for the bungalow Imbert on the landward side of the road, except where it was demolished for the new road and slipway in 1888. The seaward breakwater section extended across the beach to what was previously a high tide island, le Poincon, on which stood a fisherman's stone store (la Vielle Maison du Havre de Bordeaux) which I am convinced was used By Victor Hugo as the Bu de la Rue, Gilliat's house in Toilers of the Sea. In the photo the furthest wall, incorporating the steps down to the beach, was built in 1862 and the beach at the "top" of the harbour raised with quarry spoil to its present high level."

Location: Bordeaux

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Bordeaux - a closeup showing no road

As you will see from this enlargement of the full image there is no perimeter coast road when the photo was taken in the 1860/70's. The new road and slipway were built in 1888.



I am indebted to alan Ritchie for the following information.


"The first section of "sea wall" (actually a substantial breakwater) was built around 1830. This still exists, partly as the "garden wall" for the bungalow Imbert on the landward side of the road, except where it was demolished for the new road and slipway in 1888. The seaward breakwater section extended across the beach to what was previously a high tide island, le Poincon, on which stood a fisherman's stone store (la Vielle Maison du Havre de Bordeaux) which I am convinced was used By Victor Hugo as the Bu de la Rue, Gilliat's house in Toilers of the Sea. In the photo the furthest wall, incorporating the steps down to the beach, was built in 1862 and the beach at the "top" of the harbour raised with quarry spoil to its present high level."

Location: Bordeaux

Buy this print online:

 
Item added to cart