2015 in review: the year’s most-read Invisible Bordeaux items

Again, the time has come to finish off the calendar year with a couple of items that look back on some of the features that ran on Invisible Bordeaux over the past twelve months. This first set compiles the five most-read articles. Click on the titles or associated pictures to read the full items!

5. The life of the legendary songwriter and singer Mort Shuman

There were many chapters in Mort Shuman’s life. He penned some of the most famous melodies of the 20th century, had a successful career as a solo artist in France and also made a number of notable acting performances. And the great man is buried in the Caudéran district of Bordeaux! Invisible Bordeaux not only investigated but organised a moving graveside sing-song!

4. Inside Stade Bordeaux-Atlantique, the next big sporting arena

One of the biggest events to take place in Bordeaux was the inauguration of the city’s new stadium, now known as Stade Matmut Atlantique. A few weeks before the stadium opened I managed to tour the state-of-the-art sporting facility, and was only too pleased to file this report.

3. Cité de la Benauge: radical changes ahead for the model 1950s estate

While renowned for its 18th-century façades, the true beating heart of Bordeaux can be found elsewhere, such as in the Cité de la Benauge housing estate in the right-bank Bastide quarter. Invisible Bordeaux looked back on the estate’s birth in the 1950s and its subsequent history, and also looked forward to changes which lie in the near future. 

2. Stade des Chartrons: the Girondins stadium which has disappeared from view

The Girondins football team became so synonymous with Stade Chaban-Delmas in recent decades that their original home as a professional club was almost airbrushed out of history (as well as being totally demolished). With fellow blogger Antoine Puentès, Invisible Bordeaux therefore uncovered the story of Stade des Chartrons; the account proved popular and was soon picked up by Sud Ouest, momentarily bringing the stadium back to life.

1. The day Soulac-sur-Mer's Le Signal residence became a work of art
Le Signal is an angular ocean-front residence in Soulac-sur-Mer that is now doomed, its residents have been evicted and the building is living on borrowed time. A moving early-morning son et lumière installation provided an apt opportunity to uncover this complex story and discuss the building’s fate. It turned out to be this year's most-read item on the blog!

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