Hôpital-prieuré Saint-Jacques

The Hôpital-prieuré Saint-Jacques is a former priory in Bordeaux, where the Gothic church has survived today and measures about 60 meters in length. The building was originally a complex of monastery and hospital, but only the church remains now, integrated into the modern streets of the city.

The founder, Duke William X of Aquitaine, built this place in 1119 outside the city walls as a stopping point for pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela. The original religious purpose later changed when the building was converted into a theater and eventually into a workshop.

The Gothic church retains its 15th-century structure and shows the different lives this building has lived, from a place of prayer to a theater and later a workshop. Visitors can still recognize the religious architecture today, even though the interior has undergone many transformations.

The building was registered and classified as a historical monument in 2021, but is currently undergoing restoration following damage to the vaults. Visitors should check current opening times and accessibility before visiting, as work may be ongoing.

An underground passage beneath the ground connected the college to the church, showing the sophisticated spatial planning of the medieval complex. This hidden connection allowed residents to move between different parts of the establishment without stepping outside.