A courtyard with 300 years of history, little-known to the people of Bordeaux
The scene of revolts during the Revolution of 1789, then occupied successively by revolutionary clubs, the military storehouse and the municipal library, the Cour Mably had several lives before its rehabilitation in 1994. Today, at the foot of Notre-Dame Church, it hosts concerts, exhibitions and other open-air screenings to delight Bordeaux residents and visitors to the Sleeping Beauty..
The golden triangle that surrounds it offers a pleasant setting, halfway between the quays and the place Gambetta and right in the middle of the shopping district. A perfect starting point for discovering the narrow streets surrounding this well-known district, the Cour Mably is a real little bubble out of time.
Anecdotes and curiosities about the Cour Mably
1. One space, many uses
Built in 1684, it was occupied by the Manutention Militaire from 1797 to 1885. Later, these spaces would house the Museum of Antiquities once the courtyard was under city management. And finally, for 100 years, it was home to Bordeaux’s municipal library. Today it’s used for art events, temporary exhibitions and concerts and has established itself as a real cultural venue in the city. For example, it hosts the FIFIBbordeaux International Independent Film Festival.
2. The origin of its name
The Cour Mably is named after the French philosopher Gabriel Bonnot de Mably. Born in 1709, he brought to his writings a critical vision of society and its inequalities, and is considered a precursor of socialism and revolution.
What can you do at the Cour Mably?
Visit Cour Mably has the good fortune to be located in the Bordeaux triangle, a luxury shopping area right in the heart of the city. A stroll through the surrounding area will take you past some of Sleeping Beauty’s most beautiful monuments, and the prestigious Saint-Christoly shopping center offers a unique shopping experience.
When it comes to Court activities, you need to follow the Program. Often decorated with a temporary exhibition, its walls welcome you for a cultural moment, between concerts, paintings, sculptures… You’ll find something to impress you!
Tucked away in the narrow streets of Bordeaux, yet so close to the Grand Théâtre, this little-known courtyard is home to a number of nuggets. With its exceptional acoustics and the city’s skyline as a backdrop, it offers those who pass through its doors a magical, timeless moment. It is for all these reasons that it is included on the incredible places in Bordeaux to have hosted Candlelight concerts, and is sure to host more in the near future.