Porte Cailhau
Porte Cailhau
4.5
About
The Port Cailhau, thirty-five metres tall, was integrated into the city walls. In 1864, it was rented by a public letter writer and a person whose job was to weigh salt. They were both evicted in order to renovate the monument. There is a magnificent view of the oldest bridge in Bordeaux, the Pont de Pierre, from here.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Porte Cailhau
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,082 within 5 kms
Attractions
348 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
948 reviews
Excellent
459
Very good
404
Average
76
Poor
7
Terrible
2
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Jul 2019
Bordeaux has quite a number of this type of city gates and they are all rather nice. And so is this one. It dates to the 15th century and was a proper city Gate, but also served as a sort of triumphal arch. In its heyday it was the entryway to the city from the prt. It also provided a direct link to the local parliament which was nearby. It is richly decorated and it obviously holds great significance for the city. It's worth a look.
Written 18 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
retireeVancouver
Vancouver, Canada1,828 contributions
Oct 2022
This city gate is no longer connected to the wall which once surrounded Bordeaux, but there was a portion left of the old wall, still attached to the gate, which could be seen from the city side - Place du Palais. Walk around the gate or through it and you'll see it. On the side of the gate that faces the Garonne River, look up to see 3 stone statues in the wall niches. The middle one is a statue of King Charles Vlll who ascended the throne as a 13 year old boy in 1483 and died 14 years later when he cracked his head on a lintel. This gate was built to commemorate Charles Vlll's victory at Fornovo, Italy. This is another picturesque old city gate in Bordeaux with a castle like appearance. There is an exhibition inside on the tools and materials used in the construction of the gate, but for us it was mainly a photo stop. It is a 5 minute walk from the Water Mirror reflecting pool at Place de la Bourse. We approached the gate from the wide riverside promenade - a very pleasant walk.
Written 7 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Jul 2022
Gothic-Renaissance (that is the "flamboyant" part) in character, and built between 1493 and 1496, it ended up being dedicated to King Charles VIII of France upon a significant victory.
On the side of the gate facing the river, look for his likeness in the center of the tower's facade. The other two figures are of a saint and a cardinal who accompanied him on the battle.
At the window corners are interesting looking gargoyle characters but the most attention-grabbing feature is the slate roof capped by a series of witches hats peaks.
The entry through the gate is beneath a beautiful church-like archway. It is very close to the grand and glorious triumphal arch (subject of a different TA review).
On the side of the gate facing the river, look for his likeness in the center of the tower's facade. The other two figures are of a saint and a cardinal who accompanied him on the battle.
At the window corners are interesting looking gargoyle characters but the most attention-grabbing feature is the slate roof capped by a series of witches hats peaks.
The entry through the gate is beneath a beautiful church-like archway. It is very close to the grand and glorious triumphal arch (subject of a different TA review).
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank dB
Arnhem, The Netherlands1,390 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Interesting defensive stronghold. A narrow staircase takes you to the first floor, with an exhibition, above which there are a number of floors with beautiful views, a video with the history of Bordeaux over the years. Definitely worth it. Free to visit with a city pass.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth K
30 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Definitely recommend a visit. Good background information on the history of this area of Bordeaux.
Well laid out information, with useful English translation. Some nice audio bits too, again with English translation.
Not a huge place, but a good hour looking around. Good spot for photos of the area. We visited first thing on a Monday morning and had the place to ourselves.
Well laid out information, with useful English translation. Some nice audio bits too, again with English translation.
Not a huge place, but a good hour looking around. Good spot for photos of the area. We visited first thing on a Monday morning and had the place to ourselves.
Written 2 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JolieMarjorie
State of Bremen, Germany97 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
They meant business when they built up this gate. Looks really impressive.
It is historical gate built in the XV century. Since 1883, the gate has been included in the register of historical monuments of France.
Porte Cailhau stands on the Palace Square (la place du Palais) on the riverside. Located between the mouths of the two Bordeaux rivers, the Peugue (Cours d'Alsace et Lorraine) and the Devèze (rue de la Devise), it was the main entrance in the city. It gave access to the Palace of the Ombrière, the residence of the dukes of Guyenne, then the seat of the Parliament of Bordeaux from 1462 (torn down in 1800).
It is interesting to see this monument and know the history behind it.
It is historical gate built in the XV century. Since 1883, the gate has been included in the register of historical monuments of France.
Porte Cailhau stands on the Palace Square (la place du Palais) on the riverside. Located between the mouths of the two Bordeaux rivers, the Peugue (Cours d'Alsace et Lorraine) and the Devèze (rue de la Devise), it was the main entrance in the city. It gave access to the Palace of the Ombrière, the residence of the dukes of Guyenne, then the seat of the Parliament of Bordeaux from 1462 (torn down in 1800).
It is interesting to see this monument and know the history behind it.
Written 2 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
miss-sparkly
London, UK41 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
We were told after we paid the viewing deck was closed. We were told that we had the option to go back later on our tickets, however this didn't fit into our plans. The building itself is beautiful, but the museum inside needs to be expanded, and is lacking much historical information.
Written 22 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stuart P
Sheffield, UK103 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
Once occupied by King Richard the Lionheart, the son of Eleanor of Aquitaine, queen consort of France and England and one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in western Europe during the High Middle Ages.
She married King Louis VII of France, son of her guardian, King Louis VI. As queen of France, the marriage being annulled after 15 years as she did not produce a son.
As soon as the annulment was granted, Eleanor became engaged to the duke of Normandy, who became King Henry II of England in 1154. Henry was her third cousin and 11 years younger. Over the next 13 years, she bore eight children: five sons, three of whom became kings; and three daughters. the second son being Richard the Lionheart.
England ruled Aquitaine for some 300 years and this building, which was part of the original city walls is in excellent condition - as are all of the buildings in Bordeaux, none of which are over-shadowed by high-rise buildings.
She married King Louis VII of France, son of her guardian, King Louis VI. As queen of France, the marriage being annulled after 15 years as she did not produce a son.
As soon as the annulment was granted, Eleanor became engaged to the duke of Normandy, who became King Henry II of England in 1154. Henry was her third cousin and 11 years younger. Over the next 13 years, she bore eight children: five sons, three of whom became kings; and three daughters. the second son being Richard the Lionheart.
England ruled Aquitaine for some 300 years and this building, which was part of the original city walls is in excellent condition - as are all of the buildings in Bordeaux, none of which are over-shadowed by high-rise buildings.
Written 7 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolD56
Enfield, UK40 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
A fascinating look back in history, with exhibits on all floors. Stairs steep and narrow. Interesting view from the top.
Written 12 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Baxterp
Paris, France172 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
Tucked away this is such a cool bell tower. Great shops and cafes below it. So well worth the walk over.
Written 31 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lakhbir B
Coventry, United Kingdom
Hi, Can anyone advise whether this hotel has parking and if its inclusive in the room price/rate?
Written 25 December 2014
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing