Place Gordaine, Medieval square in historic Bourges, France.
Place Gordaine is a square in medieval Bourges where several old streets converge, lined with timber-framed buildings and shops. The space forms a clear intersection between different street routes and opens into a gathering area.
In the 15th century, this square housed the city's butcher shops and fish market stalls, serving as one of four major city entrances. Between 1889 and 1891, the market area was transformed into an urban square, taking on a new role in the city structure.
The square marks a meeting point between the Bourbonnoux and Saint-Pryvé neighborhoods, where residents and visitors naturally encounter one another. Its position links different parts of the city and shapes how people move through daily life.
The square sits at a central location and is easily reached on foot from many old town attractions. The surrounding shops and cafés make it a good spot to rest while exploring the medieval district.
The square emerged from a deliberate urban redesign and lost its original function as a bustling marketplace. This transformation shows how a medieval city adapted its spaces to meet new needs.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
