Place des Quinconces, Public square near Garonne River in Bordeaux, France

This public square lies next to the Garonne River and features two tall columns with sculptural elements and water fountains throughout. The arrangement of trees and pathways creates a geometric layout across the entire space.

The square was laid out between 1810 and 1828 on the site of the Château Trompette, a fortress built under Charles VII and improved by Vauban. Its rectangular plan was fixed in 1816, trees were planted in quincunx in 1818, and two rostral columns were added in 1829. The Monument aux Girondins, a 54-metre column, was erected between 1894 and 1902.

The monument's pedestal carries allegorical groups: the Triumph of the Republic, whose chariot horses have fins and tails so the Republic's values can travel by land and sea, and the Triumph of Concord, with a child riding a sturgeon. Look for the letter G and the crescent of the Port de la Lune below the top statue.

The Quinconces tram stop is the network's main interchange, serving three tram lines, 21 bus lines (three at night), an electric shuttle and 12 coach lines across the Gironde, with a reception area on the south side. The esplanade slopes gently down to the Garonne between two rows of trees, so allow time to cross its 25.6 hectares on foot.

The bronze sea horses and other groups around the monument's basins were taken down by the German occupiers from 11 to 15 August 1943, hunting for metal. They were found in Angers in 1945 but only put back in place in 1983, and a cheque for 1.5 million francs was paid to the city in compensation.