Porte Cailhau
Porte Cailhau
La Porte Cailhau
Porte Cailhau - Etage 1
Porte Cailhau
Porte Cailhau
La Porte Cailhau
Porte Cailhau - Etage 1
Monument

Porte Cailhau

From 5€ / pers

A former defensive gate (1493-1496) dedicated to King Charles VIII of France, victor of the Battle of Fornovo (Italy). It provides a 23 metre high panoramic view of the river.

  • open daily from April to end of October
  • closed Monday and Tuesday from November to March
  • last climb 30mn before closing

Built between 1493 and 1496 on the site of an ancient defensive gate, this gatehouse honoured King Charles VIII’s conquest of the Kingdom of Naples. On the sidefacing the river, a niche with his effigy commemorates his victories in the build up to the Battle of Fornovo (1495).While undoubtedly a military edifice, equipped with a port cullis and wide machicolations, the forthcoming Renaissance period brought with it a new architectural language of mullioned windows and freestone carvings.

It provides a 23 metre high panoramic view of the river.

by Bordeaux Tourism & Conventions
Bordeaux Tourist Office partner

Sustainable commitments

Bordeaux Tourism & Conventions has the following certifications for its sustainable management: Accueil Vélo, Tourism and handicap and ISO 20121.

Good to know

Good to know

From April to October, open 7 days a week 10am-1pm/14pm-6pm. From November to March, open Wednesday to Friday 2pm-6pm + Saturday and Sunday 11am-1pm/2pm-6pm; closed Monday, Tuesday and public holidays. Last entrance 30 minutes before closing time.

Difficult access (many steps and narrow staircase).

Free for all on the 1st Sunday of the month (except July and August).

Meeting point

Place du Palais, 33000 Bordeaux, France

They had this experience

N
Good Leisurely History Lesson
Nelson Moon 10/17/2023
Nice way to get some very interesting background and history on Bordeaux and see how the city used to look! I also enjoyed learning about the masons of Bordeaux and how they crafted the limestone, as I have a construction background, but I think anybody would find it interesting to learn about older methods of building. Overall nice activity with plenty of good restaurants nearby or just up the street, definitely recommend if you have time!