river & bridge at the Jardin Public Bordeaux

Jardin Public Garden, Bordeaux Centre

Popular green oasis in the heart of Bordeaux

featured in Sights & sites

This public park in Bordeaux was created in the 18th century to provide some open space for residents of the city.

The original garden was designed by Jacques Ange Gabriel in a typical French style. It covers 14 hectares and is focused around a central pond.

Today its landscaped gardens are a lovely escape from the city. It houses an arboretum, a library and a museum of natural history. Many attractions are available for children: puppet theater, swings, playgrounds, historic carousel.

Worth knowing

Original wrought iron, listed building, conserved between the street and the square Ducau Longchamp and on the square of Mars.
Large pool built in 1856 in the form of a serpentine river with an area of one hectare. At one end of the river, a sublime artificial waterfall place.
Three bridges of contemporary wrought iron basin.
Scenic balusters surrounding terraces.
Many statues presented on the terraces: Diane (Gabii), Youth and Chimera (Granet), Maxime Lalanne (a Bordeaux etcher), Rosa Bonheur by Gaston Leroux, the bust of the sculptor Domenico Maggesi inaugurated in 2006 on the occasion of the Heritage Days and in the garden (Fernand-Lafargue, Ulysse Gayon, Alexis Millardet, Carle Vernet).
After the terraces is the Lisleferme hotel built in 1781 by architect Bonfin, which will again host the Natural History Museum after his rehabilitation.
A central building built in 1858, on which rested the tropical greenhouses, it houses local gardeners and guards today.

Watch out for

Dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on a lead.

Visitor comments

"One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Magical, especially in the spring when everything is freshly blooming..." - Trip Advisor
"A beautiful place to laze away a couple of hours on a sunny day in between all the rushing around. Plentiful benches in both sun and shade, lovely reflections in the water, and lots of birds to entertain a watcher. I went there after checking in to my hotel, when I was too jet-lagged to do anything active, and it was ideal." - Trip Advisor
"After you are done with the wine tasting and the sightseeing... Just come here with a sandwich and a bottle of juice to sit on the grass and have a good time. It's got beautiful duck ponds and children's play areas. A green space which slows down time for a busy traveller on schedule. It's a true nature experience! Must do for families." - Trip Advisor