Parks & gardens

English or French?Bordeaux style obviously!

Bordeaux is home to a variety of picturesque parks and gardens that recall the charms of Parisian gardens. Bordeaux gardens, such as Jardin Public, Parc Bordelais, Parc Majolan, create a peaceful and elegant atmosphere, with expansive lawns, shaded paths, ponds and fountains that echo the aesthetic of iconic Parisian gardens like the Jardin des Tuileries or the Jardin du Luxembourg. 

Bordeaux's parks, notably the botanical garden, offer a contrast with the urban architecture, creating unique backdrops for filming varied scenes. The similarity between Bordeaux and Paris gardens allows filmmakers to capture the essence of Paris' iconic green spaces while enjoying the authenticity and unique charm of Bordeaux.

Did you know?

The Public Garden in Bordeaux, inaugurated in 1746 on the initiative of the intendant Tourny, is the first garden designed especially for the public in France. Tourny, whose approaches to urban modernization influenced Baron Haussmann for his renovations in Paris, wanted to offer the inhabitants of Bordeaux a healthy and pleasant place to walk. 

First created under the inspiration of the work of the famous gardener André Le Nôtre, who himself was responsible for the creation of the garden of Versailles, the Public Garden initially asserted itself in a so-called “French style” ”. The garden is built around an axis of symmetry. Later, elegant Haussmann-style residences lined the garden, emphasizing the popularity of this place.

From 1858, the Public Garden underwent a significant transformation, adopting an English style, marked by an abandonment of symmetry in favor of a more natural place for strolling. 

Focus on: Balenciaga Season 1

The “Balenciaga” series, available on Disney+ since January 19, 2024, has transformed the Jardin Public de Bordeaux into a typical Parisian park from the beginning of the XNUMXth century. This series, which traces the life and work of renowned Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, transports viewers to a Paris of the past. Bordeaux was chosen as the main filming location for its similarities to Parisian architecture. 

The Public Garden was specially designed to evoke the atmosphere of a Parisian park from this period. This transformation not only illustrates how a production can skillfully recreate the Paris of yesteryear, but also highlights the versatility and architectural richness of Bordeaux.

The city, often compared to Paris for its historic buildings and wide avenues, proved to be the ideal location to represent the charm of the French capital of the early 20th century.

Balenciaga

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