Port of the Moon, Historical port district in Bordeaux, France.
The Port de la Lune runs along a curve of the Garonne River through central Bordeaux, its crescent shape marking the city's character. The district contains classical and neoclassical buildings from the 1700s, restored to show how the riverside once functioned as a working commercial zone.
During the 1700s, the port grew into a major international trading hub that moved wine and other goods across the world, making Bordeaux a commercial power. The buildings and layout from this period survive today, showing the scale and wealth that trade created.
The riverfront today shows how locals and visitors move through restored squares and walkways, with cafés and shops integrated naturally into the old stone buildings. People gather along the water's edge at different times of day, creating a living space where the port's past existence shapes how the district functions now.
The area is best explored on foot, with plazas and riverbanks easy to walk and offering clear views of the buildings. Guided tours are available to learn more about the district and how its architecture and layout developed over time.
The crescent shape appears on Bordeaux's coat of arms shown as three connected crescents that symbolize the city's lunar connection. This form gave the port its name and remains one of the most distinctive features visitors notice when viewing the riverfront.
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