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Allées de Tourny"},{"term":"Marcheprime"},{"term":"Mitt Romney"},{"term":"Montesquieu"},{"term":"Ovniport"},{"term":"Parempuyre"},{"term":"Peugue"},{"term":"Pey Berland"},{"term":"Royan"},{"term":"Saint-Jean d'Illac"},{"term":"Salvador Dalí"},{"term":"Slave trade"},{"term":"Villenave d'Ornon"},{"term":"Adrien Marquet"},{"term":"Andernos"},{"term":"Benauge"},{"term":"Biscarrosse"},{"term":"Braud-et-Saint-Louis"},{"term":"Camp de Souge"},{"term":"Canéjan"},{"term":"Captieux"},{"term":"Casino Mauresque"},{"term":"Charles Cazalet"},{"term":"Courtyard"},{"term":"Croix d'Hins"},{"term":"Crèche"},{"term":"Devèze"},{"term":"Disability"},{"term":"Dujardin"},{"term":"Film"},{"term":"Francisco de Goya"},{"term":"Kapla"},{"term":"La Brède"},{"term":"Lansac"},{"term":"Lesparre"},{"term":"Lège"},{"term":"Mollat"},{"term":"Paul Régnauld"},{"term":"Podensac"},{"term":"Puynormand"},{"term":"Pyla"},{"term":"Restaurant"},{"term":"Saint-Avit-Saint-Nazaire"},{"term":"Saint-Louis-de-Montferrand"},{"term":"Saint-Savin"},{"term":"Sainte-Hélène"},{"term":"Statue of Liberty"},{"term":"Talmont-sur-Gironde"},{"term":"Tapa'l'Oeil"},{"term":"Tourny"},{"term":"Toussaint-Louverture"},{"term":"Twins"},{"term":"Washhouse"},{"term":"Windmill"},{"term":"Archaeology"},{"term":"Arcins"},{"term":"Arsac"},{"term":"Bandstand"},{"term":"Bassens"},{"term":"Biganos"},{"term":"Bordeaux; Tourny"},{"term":"Bouliac"},{"term":"Camp Hunt"},{"term":"Camp du Courneau"},{"term":"Cantenac"},{"term":"Carcans"},{"term":"Caviar"},{"term":"Cazaux"},{"term":"Cinéma"},{"term":"Contest"},{"term":"Cousteau"},{"term":"Créon"},{"term":"Cubzac-les-Ponts"},{"term":"Docklands"},{"term":"Education"},{"term":"Euro"},{"term":"Fishing"},{"term":"Freemasonry"},{"term":"Gallo-Roman"},{"term":"Hector Loubatié"},{"term":"Jeanne de Lartigue"},{"term":"La Salie"},{"term":"La Sauve"},{"term":"Latresne"},{"term":"Lavoir"},{"term":"Le Barp"},{"term":"Le Pian-Médoc"},{"term":"Le Porge"},{"term":"Le Teich"},{"term":"Le Temple"},{"term":"Ludon-Médoc"},{"term":"Léognan"},{"term":"Macau"},{"term":"Map"},{"term":"Maritime"},{"term":"Market"},{"term":"Max Linder"},{"term":"Military"},{"term":"Monnaie de Paris"},{"term":"Moulis-en-Médoc"},{"term":"Napoleon III"},{"term":"Octroi"},{"term":"Paranormal"},{"term":"Parc Mauresque"},{"term":"Pierroton"},{"term":"Place Fernand-Lafargue"},{"term":"Place Gambetta"},{"term":"Plan Marquet"},{"term":"Pyla-sur-Mer"},{"term":"Québec City"},{"term":"Racecourse"},{"term":"Saint Siméon"},{"term":"Saint-Michel"},{"term":"Saint-Vincent-de-Paul"},{"term":"Saint-Éloi"},{"term":"Saint-Émilion"},{"term":"Sainte-Croix"},{"term":"Salaunes"},{"term":"Thomas Jefferson"},{"term":"Vegetables"},{"term":"tooBordo"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Invisible Bordeaux"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"Documenting lesser-known sights, stories and landmarks in and around Bordeaux, France."},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/-\/Sport?alt=json-in-script"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/search\/label\/Sport"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"21"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-5989428618869463778"},"published":{"$t":"2020-05-05T21:41:00.002+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-05-07T10:08:43.783+02:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bastide"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bègles"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"La Brède"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stadium"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Lockdown period random archive photos 31\u003E40"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-i431AjWwkz8\/XrG6C0c4lJI\/AAAAAAAAJEE\/-xTNjE9xpRsu1WM1UxMJu4rLk2BuEWQXQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/37.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-i431AjWwkz8\/XrG6C0c4lJI\/AAAAAAAAJEE\/-xTNjE9xpRsu1WM1UxMJu4rLk2BuEWQXQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/37.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIf you're still following closely, you'll be aware of the fact that throughout the lockdown period, over on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/invisiblebordeaux\/\"\u003EInstagram\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/invisiblebx\"\u003ETwitter\u003C\/a\u003E, Invisible Bordeaux has been publishing random photos taken over the years in and around the city, and sometimes beyond. Some have already featured on the blog, others have just been sitting on my hard drive. There's no major underlying theme, they're just photos that possibly deserved to be dusted down and put out there! The first three sets can still be viewed by clicking \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos.html\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos_18.html\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos_24.html\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E, and on this page you can views numbers 31 to 40, starting above with the view from behind the posts at Stade André-Moga in Bègles.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPart of the Delphin Roche sports complex, the 6,000-capacity stadium was first built in 1920 and was originally known as Stade du Musard. It was the home ground of rugby club Union Bordeaux-Bègles until 2015, when the team switched to Stade Chaban-Delmas. It is still UBB's primary training ground.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESticking with sport, this second picture was taken somewhere on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/05\/bordeaux-lacanau-cycle-path-from-steam.html\"\u003Ethe Bordeaux-Lacanau cycle path\u003C\/a\u003E, possibly towards Salaunes or Sainte-Hélène. The 60-kilometre route was a railway line from 1885 until the 1970s and you can intermittently spot former stations along the way. Most have now been converted into private homes.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8AOsl1glGaE\/XrG64Uhk9jI\/AAAAAAAAJEQ\/EbiGMmtuwUAVBR0b5m82oCaIYQp0UZmrgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/32.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8AOsl1glGaE\/XrG64Uhk9jI\/AAAAAAAAJEQ\/EbiGMmtuwUAVBR0b5m82oCaIYQp0UZmrgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/32.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003EMy daredevil blogging investigations are mostly solitary adventures but sometimes, believe it or not, I do actually get chatting to other people. This young guy approached me when I was taking pictures of the monument on Place Calixte-Camelle in the Bastide quarter of Bordeaux. He was quite a dude. If you recognise him, let me know (photo taken in 2015). Over on Twitter, the most excellent Sud Ouest journalist Jean-Christophe Wasner \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JcWasner\/status\/1254303724064976899?s=20\"\u003Enoted the Calixte Camelle monument looked a bit like a washing machine\u003C\/a\u003E. He's right, isn't he? \u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-WmoVJ6KFfuM\/XrG7OHvV5OI\/AAAAAAAAJEY\/53OjA3D05Q8bRt__7FPWfuVddmw0I3vmwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/33.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-WmoVJ6KFfuM\/XrG7OHvV5OI\/AAAAAAAAJEY\/53OjA3D05Q8bRt__7FPWfuVddmw0I3vmwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/33.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOff to Le Bouscat to view this 1930s art deco building designed by Albert Dumons. It was originally Le Bouscat’s public baths and shower facility, which operated until 1980. It then went on to become the municipal library, until it was replaced by a modern, purpose-built establishment in 2015 (known as “La Source”). Today the building is home to\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bouscat-solidarite.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E l’Association des Familles du Bouscat, which runs an \u003Ci\u003Eépicerie solidaire \u003C\/i\u003Eknown as La Bous-Sol\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-moHbMp745Dk\/XrG9T81RUZI\/AAAAAAAAJEk\/lS2Rd4tZ8dIYyxnSSbJOp5QL1BvOWATDgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/34.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1290\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"514\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-moHbMp745Dk\/XrG9T81RUZI\/AAAAAAAAJEk\/lS2Rd4tZ8dIYyxnSSbJOp5QL1BvOWATDgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/34.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\"Law, Peace, Justice\" reads the inscription above the doors of the Maison Cantonale, the city hall annex in the Bastide district of Bordeaux. The unusual art nouveau building was dreamt up by Cyprien Alfred Duprat and completed in the mid-1920s.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wT4Y3NAWWrE\/XrG9n4Rbt8I\/AAAAAAAAJEs\/uIF8w5cduH4T5cFJ2LkPEOTs9Fk0JOTPQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/38.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1231\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"492\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wT4Y3NAWWrE\/XrG9n4Rbt8I\/AAAAAAAAJEs\/uIF8w5cduH4T5cFJ2LkPEOTs9Fk0JOTPQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/38.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003EMoulin de Lansac is a lovingly restored  windmill located just to the north of Bourg on the right bank of the  Gironde Estuary, and which featured in \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2013\/01\/moulin-de-lansac-making-millstones-turn.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eits very own Invisible Bordeaux report some time ago\u003C\/a\u003E. In *Normal Times* the mill is open to the general  public and it makes for an interesting visit… Check \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lemoulindelansac.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etheir website\u003C\/a\u003E for  opening hours; demonstrations of the mill in operation usually take  place on Sunday afternoons.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-HOUEtGYhMpc\/XrG-SsZH8SI\/AAAAAAAAJE0\/4M-Q5monDp8mMyyu4aa081jA6dE1nfF6gCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/35.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1414\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"564\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-HOUEtGYhMpc\/XrG-SsZH8SI\/AAAAAAAAJE0\/4M-Q5monDp8mMyyu4aa081jA6dE1nfF6gCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/35.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EBack in Bordeaux, this big neon “Papiers-Crayons” lettering - to be seen near to Barrière de Pessac - partly obscures the mention of the building’s previous incarnation as the “Halle des Girondins”. There’s a nice ceramic tile thing going on too, with (football fans take note) a bit of an Aston Villa\/West Ham\/Burnley colour scheme!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dVmYwPAtpgI\/XrG-rTgop9I\/AAAAAAAAJE8\/23bflJr1ibAc0u5h3XjZajk54C5rkT83wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/36.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1271\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"508\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dVmYwPAtpgI\/XrG-rTgop9I\/AAAAAAAAJE8\/23bflJr1ibAc0u5h3XjZajk54C5rkT83wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/36.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003ENext, we have this set of o\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003Eld petrol pumps (and a heartfelt request from Uncle Sam) behind what used to be the railway station in La Brède.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-X4-Q_eI7Rrs\/XrG_ApQfG_I\/AAAAAAAAJFE\/Wlf7csCH8vcYP7hXU2w_hc3keF6_PdvPwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/40.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1433\" data-original-width=\"1433\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-X4-Q_eI7Rrs\/XrG_ApQfG_I\/AAAAAAAAJFE\/Wlf7csCH8vcYP7hXU2w_hc3keF6_PdvPwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/40.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EJust as heartfelt is this \u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003Eminimalist graffiti on rue de la Franchise in Bordeaux!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--zP49K-K_UY\/XrG_TIv79SI\/AAAAAAAAJFM\/aTRh1255SzUrwU5VA3AB5MjNF8mMkdvIACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/31.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1371\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--zP49K-K_UY\/XrG_TIv79SI\/AAAAAAAAJFM\/aTRh1255SzUrwU5VA3AB5MjNF8mMkdvIACLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/31.jpg\" width=\"548\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003EAnd we finish off this fourth random series with another picture taken during a  memorable flight along the Atlantic coast and down the Gironde estuary (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2015\/10\/the-atlantic-coast-gironde-estuary-and.html\"\u003Efull set available here\u003C\/a\u003E). This is \u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003Ea bona fide Unesco world heritage site,  the rather splendid Citadelle de Blaye. Part of Vauban's fortified  \"Verrou de l'Estuaire\" defences built in the 17th century (also  comprising Île Pâté and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2013\/07\/fort-medoc-nothing-to-report-after.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFort Médoc\u003C\/a\u003E). Note the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2018\/01\/why-is-garonne-river-brown-here-is.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Elovely brown waters of the Gironde Estuary\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yeSZCmGKU_Y\/XrHAbY-eq3I\/AAAAAAAAJFU\/G0EchB4GCpsgQSNJZRZ3fF2UuScp47v2ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/39.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"918\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"366\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yeSZCmGKU_Y\/XrHAbY-eq3I\/AAAAAAAAJFU\/G0EchB4GCpsgQSNJZRZ3fF2UuScp47v2ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/39.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u0026gt; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos.html\"\u003EFirst selection of random archive photos available here\u003C\/a\u003E!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u0026gt; \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos_18.html\"\u003ESecond selection of random archive photos available here!\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u0026gt; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos_24.html\" target=\"\"\u003EThird selection of random archive photos available, yes, you've guessed it, here!\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lebordeauxinvisible.blogspot.com\/2020\/05\/une-seconde-vie-pour-des-photos.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECe dossier également disponible en français !\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5989428618869463778\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/05\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/5989428618869463778"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/5989428618869463778"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/05\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos.html","title":"Lockdown period random archive photos 31\u003E40"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-i431AjWwkz8\/XrG6C0c4lJI\/AAAAAAAAJEE\/-xTNjE9xpRsu1WM1UxMJu4rLk2BuEWQXQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/37.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-6590655859444655595"},"published":{"$t":"2020-04-24T21:57:00.001+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-05-05T21:08:46.961+02:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Braud-et-Saint-Louis"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gironde Estuary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Le Bouscat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Martignas-sur-Jalle"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Médoc"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Lockdown period random archive photos 21\u003E30"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-q2frhpre2YI\/XqL2sn8C91I\/AAAAAAAAI_k\/lOR017cHg6U_98KM76ZdLb-hUN4mJOykwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/26.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-q2frhpre2YI\/XqL2sn8C91I\/AAAAAAAAI_k\/lOR017cHg6U_98KM76ZdLb-hUN4mJOykwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/26.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIf you're following closely, you will already know that throughout the lockdown period, over on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/invisiblebordeaux\/\"\u003EInstagram\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/invisiblebx\"\u003ETwitter\u003C\/a\u003E, Invisible Bordeaux has been publishing random photos taken over the years in and around the city, and sometimes beyond. Some have already featured on the blog, others have just been sitting on my hard drive. There's no major underlying theme, they're just photos that possibly deserved to be dusted down and put out there! The first two sets can still be viewed by clicking \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos.html\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos_18.html\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E, and on this page you can views numbers 21 to 30, starting above with this inside view of Marché de Lerme in the Saint-Seurin quarter of Bordeaux.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is no longer a covered market but rather a city-owned multipurpose venue that hosts a wide range of exhibitions and events. The original structure dates back to the mid-19th century and was designed by Charles Burguet. It was completely overhauled a few years ago and reopened in its current form in 2011.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ESticking with indoor views of peculiar ceilings, here is one of Gironde’s two surviving “\u003Ci\u003Episcine tournesol\u003C\/i\u003E” swimming pools; this one is in Braud-et-Saint-Louis to the north of Blaye (the other is in Cestas). The mad design of France’s 183 tournesol swimming pools - \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2016\/10\/swimming-in-sunflowers-girondes.html\"\u003Ewho starred in their own Invisible Bordeaux post a few years ago\u003C\/a\u003E - was the work of architect Bernard Schoeller, who died a few days ago at the age of 90.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gel_oqzcCB8\/XqL3eQa4yzI\/AAAAAAAAI_s\/JmsGaqSxC5gs3hW-OEqTCNXk1LYtHiW8gCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/24.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gel_oqzcCB8\/XqL3eQa4yzI\/AAAAAAAAI_s\/JmsGaqSxC5gs3hW-OEqTCNXk1LYtHiW8gCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/24.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003EBack in Bordeaux, here is a rear view of one of the city's many\u003Ci\u003E boîte à lire\u003C\/i\u003E self-service borrow-and-lend bookcases, this one is to be found in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/04\/parc-riviere-central-park-with.html\"\u003EParc Rivière\u003C\/a\u003E. Look carefully and you may also spot a prospective customer...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-cjDGXWEwz84\/XqL4QwZueAI\/AAAAAAAAI_4\/719LItZCFagaN5ihxAof-9FDNMhX5KUcgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/25.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"720\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-cjDGXWEwz84\/XqL4QwZueAI\/AAAAAAAAI_4\/719LItZCFagaN5ihxAof-9FDNMhX5KUcgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/25.jpg\" width=\"512\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ENext up (literally) is part of the Cité Administrative, Bordeaux’s very own skyscraper. The taller of the two towers measures 92 metres (112 metres if you include the antenna on top). Designed by architects Pierre Mathieu and Pierre Calmon, work was completed in 1974.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uXk6o7nz1Rg\/XqL5Gae-dZI\/AAAAAAAAJAA\/AMsnt9zI3R4oOCTF2Qiz8y_obCXGQxfPACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/21.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uXk6o7nz1Rg\/XqL5Gae-dZI\/AAAAAAAAJAA\/AMsnt9zI3R4oOCTF2Qiz8y_obCXGQxfPACLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/21.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003EWooden posts at what was once the firing range at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/09\/camp-de-souge-memorial-remembering-300.html\"\u003ECamp de Souge in Martignas-sur-Jalle\u003C\/a\u003E, where more than 300 executions took place during the Second World War. A few days ago, sadly a horrific forest fire tore through this part of the military camp, it is unclear for now whether the poignant memorial to those who died was destroyed in the fire.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hz2-uxX-N7A\/XqL5u9h2DRI\/AAAAAAAAJAM\/ooPcFKkiVSgEDJH9VoNWOFW-kup-XzOPwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/22.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1065\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hz2-uxX-N7A\/XqL5u9h2DRI\/AAAAAAAAJAM\/ooPcFKkiVSgEDJH9VoNWOFW-kup-XzOPwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/22.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003EOn a much lighter note, here we are inside the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/the-lapebie-cycling-dynasty-velodrome.html\"\u003EStadium Vélodrome de Bordeaux Lac\u003C\/a\u003E, viewing what is officially known as the “Piste cycliste Roger et Guy Lapébie” cycle track. Back in the 1990s, the velodrome was the scene of a number of hour record-breaking endeavours by the likes of Chris Boardman, Miguel Indurain and Tony Rominger.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jo-oq6fimaU\/XqL6L2Uzw4I\/AAAAAAAAJAU\/DxAnJhpnKVcey8wDL1sNVgaIJYLEbA2ZQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/23.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"225\" data-original-width=\"1024\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jo-oq6fimaU\/XqL6L2Uzw4I\/AAAAAAAAJAU\/DxAnJhpnKVcey8wDL1sNVgaIJYLEbA2ZQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/23.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ETo retain the sporting theme, here is the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/days-at-races-hippodrome-bordeaux-le.html\"\u003EHippodrome du Bouscat\u003C\/a\u003E and its magnificent grandstand, for all your local horse-racing needs! When schedules aren’t affected by global pandemics and the like, the racecourse hosts 32 meetings each year, the equivalent of some 230 individual races!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lLLL7gcVAQ8\/XqL6y5YbtWI\/AAAAAAAAJAc\/Rc9aWJpTVwsWu2gN8TyObEbYS1U9lYt6wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/29.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"964\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lLLL7gcVAQ8\/XqL6y5YbtWI\/AAAAAAAAJAc\/Rc9aWJpTVwsWu2gN8TyObEbYS1U9lYt6wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/29.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003EHere is the building on Place du Maucaillou in central Bordeaux where Mitt Romney, the US Republican Senator and 2012 presidential candidate, lived for six months in 1968, when he was a Mormon missionary to France. The story of this pivotal period in Romney’s life is \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/03\/place-du-maucaillou-mitt-romneys.html\"\u003Edetailed somewhere deep in the archives of the blog\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hWGjDCnPR9E\/XqL7Xux2GbI\/AAAAAAAAJAk\/Mk-QwDJ8Sfgp8nsJ1ZCdmD6FQC59OBZ2ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/28.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1036\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"414\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hWGjDCnPR9E\/XqL7Xux2GbI\/AAAAAAAAJAk\/Mk-QwDJ8Sfgp8nsJ1ZCdmD6FQC59OBZ2ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/28.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EBelow is \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/saint-andre-de-cubzac-where-jacques.html\"\u003EJacques-Yves Cousteau\u003C\/a\u003E, as portrayed on the plaque positioned on the building where he was born in 1910 in Saint-André-de-Cubzac. After a lifetime spent navigating the seven seas, things came full circle when he died in 1997, as the final resting place of this internationally-renowned underwater explorer and filmmaker is just a short distance away, in Saint-André-de-Cubzac’s municipal cemetery. To people of my generation growing up in the UK in the 1970s, he was arguably France’s biggest celebrity export at that time, along with Sacha Distel…\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-s7zhHgHK8GY\/XqL8DWAXkgI\/AAAAAAAAJAw\/mWGvklphNcQJJDueDgYLckxEmGC66USXgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/27.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-s7zhHgHK8GY\/XqL8DWAXkgI\/AAAAAAAAJAw\/mWGvklphNcQJJDueDgYLckxEmGC66USXgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/27.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003EAnd we finish off this third random series with another picture taken during a  memorable flight along the Atlantic coast and down the Gironde estuary (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2015\/10\/the-atlantic-coast-gironde-estuary-and.html\"\u003Efull set available here\u003C\/a\u003E). This is \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2018\/05\/phare-de-richard-when-size-matters-on.html\"\u003EPhare de Richard\u003C\/a\u003E, the 18-metre-tall lighthouse on the Médoc-side bank of the Gironde estuary in Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac. It operated from 1843 until 1870 when it was replaced by a taller structure, which in turn functioned until 1953, by which time shipping navigation methods on the estuary had switched to the use of beacons or buoys. The original, disused lighthouse was renovated by volunteers from 1993 onwards and is now a popular heritage site.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-OWG0eEXErSo\/XqL8sna65XI\/AAAAAAAAJA4\/VNI2ZqhdtbcA0rYJkTfErz_8_nNULOjogCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/30.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1080\" data-original-width=\"1358\" height=\"508\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-OWG0eEXErSo\/XqL8sna65XI\/AAAAAAAAJA4\/VNI2ZqhdtbcA0rYJkTfErz_8_nNULOjogCLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/30.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u0026gt; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos.html\"\u003EFirst selection of random archive photos available here\u003C\/a\u003E!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\"\u003E\u0026gt; \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos_18.html\"\u003ESecond selection of random archive photos available here!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"\" title=\"Modifié\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lebordeauxinvisible.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/une-seconde-vie-pour-des-photos_24.html\"\u003ECe dossier est également disponible en français !\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6590655859444655595\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos_24.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/6590655859444655595"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/6590655859444655595"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/lockdown-period-random-archive-photos_24.html","title":"Lockdown period random archive photos 21\u003E30"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-q2frhpre2YI\/XqL2sn8C91I\/AAAAAAAAI_k\/lOR017cHg6U_98KM76ZdLb-hUN4mJOykwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/26.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-671715659529532226"},"published":{"$t":"2019-04-19T21:12:00.002+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-05-10T16:38:25.788+02:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Event"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Industry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"RoboCup 2020: the robot football world cup is coming to Bordeaux!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-yrD7SR7ypRo\/XLTm2aXDi6I\/AAAAAAAAINo\/nGNuwx6k-EMUnC_NAhvThOWUHwd87USUgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/224-Robocup4.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"843\" data-original-width=\"1500\" height=\"358\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-yrD7SR7ypRo\/XLTm2aXDi6I\/AAAAAAAAINo\/nGNuwx6k-EMUnC_NAhvThOWUHwd87USUgCLcBGAs\/s640\/224-Robocup4.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJust a little heads-up here because in June 2020, 3,500 competitors from 45 countries and 40,000 spectators will be descending on Bordeaux for RoboCup, the annual robot football world cup, which is being held at the Parc des Expositions in the Lac district to the north of the city. It could be a lot of fun.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo, what’s it all about? Basically, in the mid-1990s, the Japanese scientist Hiroaki Kitano came up with a 21st-century challenge to pick up where \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Deep_Blue_versus_Garry_Kasparov\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe 1996 and 1997 Deep Blue versus Garry Kasparov chess matches\u003C\/a\u003E left off. Kitano’s suggestion was that, come 2050, a team of robots would be able to take on and defeat the human world champions in a game of football (soccer). The RoboCup tournament was born and next year’s event in Bordeaux will be the 24th of its kind, and each year the robots are getting more versatile, fast, precise and powerful.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOf course, what can first come across as an unusual day out to watch robots aiming to kick a ball all the way into a goal has far deeper implications: RoboCup is in fact a high-level competition that puts robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to the test, and using football as the medium is incredibly demanding for all the skillsets at play, incorporating limitless events, combinations and variables that make it a much tougher proposition than the two-dimensional chess moves perfected by IBM’s Deep Blue! What is more, the AI and robotic capabilities being trialled in these events have countless potential real-world applications in areas ranging from health to rescue operations.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BIXwpOOLHBk\/XK5Clq_HzyI\/AAAAAAAAIM4\/LPsFRRDaIrMnbLbIkIrLliwnbs1sVX0PgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/224-Robocup1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"449\" data-original-width=\"907\" height=\"316\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BIXwpOOLHBk\/XK5Clq_HzyI\/AAAAAAAAIM4\/LPsFRRDaIrMnbLbIkIrLliwnbs1sVX0PgCLcBGAs\/s640\/224-Robocup1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAccordingly, over the seven days of the June 2020 event in Bordeaux, beyond the football tournaments which run across various categories (humanoid, standard, mid- and small-sized, and simulated), there are a host of contests being held in the fields of home, rescue and industrial robotics. In most of these disciplines, parallel junior tournaments will also be held. Throughout the event, visitors will also be able to take in an extensive exhibition area and wide-ranging conference programme.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOfficially hosted by the University of Bordeaux in close partnership with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and Bordeaux Métropole, the organizers are secretly hoping for a home team victory: Bordeaux University lecturer Olivier Ly, who is one of the leading lights of the organization steering committee, has so far led his “Rhoban” team to RoboCup wins across various categories in 2016, 2017 and 2018. He is aiming to repeat that at this year’s event in Sydney… which would then set France up for a fifth title in 2020!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo, it’s fun and technically fascinating, but is robot soccer as exciting as real, live entertainment sport? Judging by the promotional videos showcased by the RoboCup team at an event I attended to introduce the event to press and partners, the matches between humanoid robots are a little like watching life in slow motion, although there is a definite sense of adrenalin that builds up when a team is on the verge of scoring, and the ball is either parried by a tumbling robot goalkeeper or makes it over the line for a goal. However, the clips that were shown of the small-size automatic vacuum cleaner-like robots darting around the pitch like there was no tomorrow suggested they and their shots were almost impossible to counteract, and could almost certainly give bona fide footballers a good run for their money… so a 2050 robotic victory against the humans may not be as far-fetched as it sounds!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; Official RoboCup France website, including information about the 2020 event: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.robocup.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewww.robocup.fr\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; Here are video highlights from a 2018 RoboCup match between France's Rhoban team and Iran's MRL:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tmr3rVOS15Y\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tmr3rVOS15Y\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003EClick here if video does not display properly on your device.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026gt; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lebordeauxinvisible.blogspot.com\/2019\/04\/robocup-2020-bordeaux-accueillera-la.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECet article est également disponible en français !\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/671715659529532226\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2019\/04\/robocup-2020-robot-football-world-cup.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/671715659529532226"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/671715659529532226"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2019\/04\/robocup-2020-robot-football-world-cup.html","title":"RoboCup 2020: the robot football world cup is coming to Bordeaux!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-yrD7SR7ypRo\/XLTm2aXDi6I\/AAAAAAAAINo\/nGNuwx6k-EMUnC_NAhvThOWUHwd87USUgCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/224-Robocup4.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-5000706860908223699"},"published":{"$t":"2018-02-09T19:00:00.002+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-06-04T19:23:46.362+02:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"History"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Postcards"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stadium"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Parc Lescure\/Stade Chaban-Delmas... as featured on old postcards"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-yxQHTNS4is0\/Wn4PbJmKzRI\/AAAAAAAAHVA\/G-ZGFrC3NqITIfbW26qumUOr1cvSAV4MACLcBGAs\/s1600\/12-Extra.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"966\" data-original-width=\"1500\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-yxQHTNS4is0\/Wn4PbJmKzRI\/AAAAAAAAHVA\/G-ZGFrC3NqITIfbW26qumUOr1cvSAV4MACLcBGAs\/s640\/12-Extra.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOver the years, I seem to have amassed a bit of a collection of old postcards showing various sights and scenes in and around Bordeaux. A recurring theme that I often find myself drawn to is the old Stade Municipal, known these days as Stade Chaban-Delmas, although most Bordelais prefer to refer to it as Parc Lescure... so here is a selection of those cards!\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThis historic city-centre stadium (the subject of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2013\/02\/stade-chaban-delmas-nearing-end-of-its.html\"\u003Ea full Invisible Bordeaux report\u003C\/a\u003E some years ago) is associated by many with local football team Girondins de Bordeaux, although it is now the permanent home of top-flight rugby team Union Bordeaux-Bègles. If you're familiar with the stadium as a spectator, you may be surprised to see some of these pictures, starting with this one which shows the entrance to the \"\u003Ci\u003Etribune d'honneur\u003C\/i\u003E\" on match day. Check out the smart spectators and the elegant automobiles - parking didn't appear to be a big issue! \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-m7blHkfsPbw\/WnoPminmUJI\/AAAAAAAAHTk\/3Jydcz4Veggq3pdOaHEmDTe2xv1_9NJtgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/01-Entree.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1500\" data-original-width=\"932\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-m7blHkfsPbw\/WnoPminmUJI\/AAAAAAAAHTk\/3Jydcz4Veggq3pdOaHEmDTe2xv1_9NJtgCLcBGAs\/s640\/01-Entree.JPG\" width=\"396\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe curious photo below somehow manages to get the full width of the arena into shot. Judging by the distortion, it looks like some form of fisheye lens must have been used. Note the steps down to the underground tunnel which led to and from the dressing rooms located in adjacent buildings. Later, the tunnel was diverted under the main stand towards the middle of the pitch. What are those panels with numbers on them bottom right? Part of the scoreboard system?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-difJPbdfytc\/WnoQkhTmCwI\/AAAAAAAAHTs\/KbsaumWB5AM77RRpvuCDJDXVEd-fgxK2ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/02-Fisheye.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"931\" data-original-width=\"1500\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-difJPbdfytc\/WnoQkhTmCwI\/AAAAAAAAHTs\/KbsaumWB5AM77RRpvuCDJDXVEd-fgxK2ACLcBGAs\/s640\/02-Fisheye.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThis next picture was taken from more or less the same spot, but sections either side of the underground tunnel access appear have been modified, presumably to cater for some form of athletic competition. What are the metallic structures laid out on the ground at either end of the pitch? Dismantled temporary stands?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yz0txe5CZhU\/WnoQvkMa3pI\/AAAAAAAAHT0\/I1te6dIu56sU3mAwzzTcwu3upyR5856ZgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/03-Gradins.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"939\" data-original-width=\"1500\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yz0txe5CZhU\/WnoQvkMa3pI\/AAAAAAAAHT0\/I1te6dIu56sU3mAwzzTcwu3upyR5856ZgCLcBGAs\/s640\/03-Gradins.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELooking at the picture below, the area around the tunnel looks different once again. Could that be some form of ramp which has been installed to make it easier to wheel bicycles into the stadium? Judging by the position of the cyclists towards what must be the top of the ramp, that might just be the case. Don't let the rugby posts mislead you: the people you can make out on the pitch (other that those who are sat down) are actually on their bikes and playing the little-known game of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cycle_polo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecycle polo\u003C\/a\u003E! \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rra5Knsoeug\/WnoQp5atzmI\/AAAAAAAAHTw\/eH4HIVAdJogPjGn85iSmL3oxa66y1MPAQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/04-CyclistesRugby.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"918\" data-original-width=\"1500\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rra5Knsoeug\/WnoQp5atzmI\/AAAAAAAAHTw\/eH4HIVAdJogPjGn85iSmL3oxa66y1MPAQCLcBGAs\/s640\/04-CyclistesRugby.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThis next picture was taken up in the stands and gives an idea of how comfortable the seating arrangements were! There are no football or rugby posts on the pitch itself, but have you noticed that there is a full-on six-lane running track alongside the cycle track? \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-986mQZ8B_7c\/WnoQxj_IsNI\/AAAAAAAAHT4\/ZTwG7eDFE8QIIxxuS4PvQ4a8ZdNekjufgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/05-Tribune.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"971\" data-original-width=\"1500\" height=\"414\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-986mQZ8B_7c\/WnoQxj_IsNI\/AAAAAAAAHT4\/ZTwG7eDFE8QIIxxuS4PvQ4a8ZdNekjufgCLcBGAs\/s640\/05-Tribune.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are a few more people on the next shot! It appears to be a cycling event, and there is a whole row of punters standing just by the track getting ready to cheer on their champion!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-x3GRmh860-E\/WnoQ3u2vmcI\/AAAAAAAAHT8\/01SxrmvKoGAmWqOQr5bB3syq5YjaZ_wtgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/06-TribuneColoris%25C3%25A9.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"940\" data-original-width=\"1500\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-x3GRmh860-E\/WnoQ3u2vmcI\/AAAAAAAAHT8\/01SxrmvKoGAmWqOQr5bB3syq5YjaZ_wtgCLcBGAs\/s640\/06-TribuneColoris%25C3%25A9.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe caption of the next picture (postmarked 1951) reads \"\u003Ci\u003ELe grand tournant nord. Le contrôle.\u003C\/i\u003E\" The white pole and rostrum therefore marks the point where the progress of cyclists was monitored as they sped around the track, and was no doubt the finishing line too. Bottom right, you can even spot the bell which rang out before the last laps!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ow8EkiDqcys\/WnoQ8K-6UFI\/AAAAAAAAHUA\/Zdfgram4kcwBRI3p_-34ucOIgb1G7HITwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/07-ControleV%25C3%25A9lo.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"943\" data-original-width=\"1500\" height=\"402\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ow8EkiDqcys\/WnoQ8K-6UFI\/AAAAAAAAHUA\/Zdfgram4kcwBRI3p_-34ucOIgb1G7HITwCLcBGAs\/s640\/07-ControleV%25C3%25A9lo.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAs detailed in the previous Invisible Bordeaux article about the stadium, the cycle track, which hosted events such as the arrival of a Tour de France stage as recently as 1979, was removed in the 1980s in order to increase the venue's overall capacity. A new velodrome, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2015\/03\/the-lapebie-cycling-dynasty-velodrome.html\"\u003Ethe Stadium de Bordeaux\u003C\/a\u003E, opened in the Lac district to the north of the city in 1989. The picture below shows another cycle race in progress. \u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Zrv3sLfUOd0\/WnoRBTbe_cI\/AAAAAAAAHUI\/uX2NimDlyoUYjEzK7KSfZ8f8Yu1GO-XqgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/09-Cyclisme.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"932\" data-original-width=\"1500\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Zrv3sLfUOd0\/WnoRBTbe_cI\/AAAAAAAAHUI\/uX2NimDlyoUYjEzK7KSfZ8f8Yu1GO-XqgCLcBGAs\/s640\/09-Cyclisme.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAnother full house at Lescure, but what have they come to see? Could the linesman visible to the right, running at top speed along the touchline, be about to call a footballer offside? The gendarme standing in the bright sunshine towards the middle of the picture certainly appears to be more focused on the game than on any potential crowd trouble in the stands! \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0NyaIc2RViE\/WnoQ_ui74yI\/AAAAAAAAHUE\/Vgp-cIDs810O-OXmjV6d5DiU3BqtmZG1wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/08-GendarmesJugeTouche.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1044\" data-original-width=\"1500\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0NyaIc2RViE\/WnoQ_ui74yI\/AAAAAAAAHUE\/Vgp-cIDs810O-OXmjV6d5DiU3BqtmZG1wCLcBGAs\/s640\/08-GendarmesJugeTouche.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe following is only the second of this series of postcards to also include a handwritten message (\"\u003Ci\u003EJe suis reçu. J'arrive demain soir, vendredi, avec tout un chargement de valises, Pierrot\u003C\/i\u003E\") and a date (1954). The gymnastics gala in progress (described overleaf as an \"\u003Ci\u003EExercice d'ensemble en face des tribunes\u003C\/i\u003E\") must have been a daunting experience for the hundreds of children involved, under the guidance of their conductor positioned on the (multi-purpose) platform over to the left! \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-85MDtNYMfuI\/WnoRFI47TBI\/AAAAAAAAHUQ\/x2TDUZnWMo4uda4pRCxM-LCSj4vr5QEvQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/10-ExerciceDensemble.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"921\" data-original-width=\"1500\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-85MDtNYMfuI\/WnoRFI47TBI\/AAAAAAAAHUQ\/x2TDUZnWMo4uda4pRCxM-LCSj4vr5QEvQCLcBGAs\/s640\/10-ExerciceDensemble.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; Find it on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ll=44.84376,-0.578585\u0026amp;spn=0.017709,0.038581\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe Invisible Bordeaux map\u003C\/a\u003E: Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/mollatcommon.blob.core.windows.net\/notices48\/2124781_medium.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"228\" data-original-width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/mollatcommon.blob.core.windows.net\/notices48\/2124781_medium.jpg\" width=\"175\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; A fine book about the history of the stadium and some of the Girondins footballing legends who called the place home was recently produced by the most excellent local journalists Julien Bée and Laurent Brun. Heavily recommended! See: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mollat.com\/livres\/2124781\/julien-bee-lescure-et-les-girondins-le-rendez-vous-des-legendes\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/www.mollat.com\/livres\/2124781\/julien-bee-lescure-et-les-girondins-le-rendez-vous-des-legendes\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; The full Invisible Bordeaux article about the history of the stadium is available here: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2013\/02\/stade-chaban-delmas-nearing-end-of-its.html\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2013\/02\/stade-chaban-delmas-nearing-end-of-its.html\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lebordeauxinvisible.blogspot.com\/2018\/02\/parc-lescure-stade-chaban-delmas-sur.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECe dossier est également disponible en français !\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5000706860908223699\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2018\/02\/parc-lescurestade-chaban-delmas-as.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/5000706860908223699"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/5000706860908223699"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2018\/02\/parc-lescurestade-chaban-delmas-as.html","title":"Parc Lescure\/Stade Chaban-Delmas... as featured on old postcards"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-yxQHTNS4is0\/Wn4PbJmKzRI\/AAAAAAAAHVA\/G-ZGFrC3NqITIfbW26qumUOr1cvSAV4MACLcBGAs\/s72-c\/12-Extra.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-3388314201224914577"},"published":{"$t":"2015-04-26T12:13:00.000+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-06-14T21:11:04.868+02:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Girondins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Infrastructure"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stadium"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Inside Stade Bordeaux-Atlantique, the next big sporting arena"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-PoOPgbMqsNk\/VTN56mdXvsI\/AAAAAAAAFKk\/1mbKWyqvySs\/s1600\/159-Stade1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-PoOPgbMqsNk\/VTN56mdXvsI\/AAAAAAAAFKk\/1mbKWyqvySs\/s1600\/159-Stade1.JPG\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIn \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2012\/02\/stade-bordeaux-atlantique-next-big.html\"\u003E2012\u003C\/a\u003E and again in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/03\/an-update-on-stade-bordeaux-atlantique.html\"\u003E2014\u003C\/a\u003E I reported on the Stade Bordeaux-Atlantique construction project. The subject started out as an suitably “invisible” topic, but has developed into something which will be on full view for the general public from May 23rd onwards. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDuring an enjoyable case of work commitments and personal interests converging, I was recently given a sneak preview of the nearly-completed stadium, and visited the venue in the company of two delightful members of the “SBA” staff. I thought the outing deserved a blog entry, so here it is!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EThe first message is believe the hype: the stadium really does look  good. The arena has been designed so that spectators are as close to the  action as possible, replicating the tried-and-tested format of stadiums  in England. Despite its greater capacity, the new stadium feels more compact than its predecessor, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2013\/02\/stade-chaban-delmas-nearing-end-of-its.html\"\u003EStade Chaban-Delmas\u003C\/a\u003E. Everything is neutral pristine white, other than a handful  of the 42,000 seats which are light shades of grey; so the fexible match-day (or  concert-night) colour schemes will be achieved through the use of lighting, temporary banners, flags,  perimeter fencing, video screens and the like. Behind the scenes  though, the navy blue of principal tenants, les Girondins de Bordeaux,  is very much on show.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7OD6RqhqFOI\/VTN6HrOaDMI\/AAAAAAAAFKs\/XbataYHPHCU\/s1600\/159-Stade2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"600\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7OD6RqhqFOI\/VTN6HrOaDMI\/AAAAAAAAFKs\/XbataYHPHCU\/s1600\/159-Stade2.jpg\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe view in 2012 when the stadium was still an \"invisible\" subject, and the view in April 2015.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe visit enabled me to see a number of interesting sights which I doubt I’ll get to see again very often! These include the VIP hospitality area (known as “\u003Ci\u003ELe Club des Grands Crus\u003C\/i\u003E”), corporate boxes and the mixed zone, which is where journalists mingle with players post-match in the hope of obtaining some kind of interesting soundbite in front of panels covered with logos. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3077711fYfU\/VTN62QMZdlI\/AAAAAAAAFK0\/q4zHbUtjwSU\/s1600\/159-Stade3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"270\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3077711fYfU\/VTN62QMZdlI\/AAAAAAAAFK0\/q4zHbUtjwSU\/s1600\/159-Stade3.jpg\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EEntrance to the VIP reception area, a corporate hospitality box and the mixed zone.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIn the stadium itself, a flat area behind the VIP seating will be used  to hand out drinks and nibbles. The lucky spectators will even be able  to look through a glass panel down into the players’ tunnel just ahead  of them running out onto the pitch. The best seats in the house, one of  which is already known as “\u003Ci\u003Ele siège Juppé\u003C\/i\u003E” (the seat for Bordeaux  mayor Alain Juppé), will come equipped with their own video monitors to  keep an eye on action replays (or breaking news coverage). \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-TWdLe9Zakc4\/VTN7bkaeaNI\/AAAAAAAAFK8\/l29WLjqHJWQ\/s1600\/159-Stade4.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"278\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-TWdLe9Zakc4\/VTN7bkaeaNI\/AAAAAAAAFK8\/l29WLjqHJWQ\/s1600\/159-Stade4.jpg\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe glass viewing panel above the players' tunnel, and Alain Juppé's seat.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EMoving up into the stands, the top tier is incredibly steep (35°, the maximum authorised angle) and the steps leading up to the uppermost seats are, to be honest, a bit scary. I’m not especially faint-hearted, but getting to the top did involve taking a few deep breaths. The view from the top is remarkable though, and happens to be the view that will form the working environment of press, radio and TV commentators. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-TYJFT1qKEKo\/VTN8IRUCDhI\/AAAAAAAAFLE\/KyNF3_ryFEg\/s1600\/159-Stade5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"270\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-TYJFT1qKEKo\/VTN8IRUCDhI\/AAAAAAAAFLE\/KyNF3_ryFEg\/s1600\/159-Stade5.jpg\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ELooking out from the very top of the stands, and a radio\/TV commentator's view.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EWhile I was there, a couple of guys were cutting the grass, using small lawnmowers that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a suburban garden. This is because the grass is still fragile and being handled with extreme care. It was planted in November of last year and has been given plenty of time to develop before the inaugural match. Unusually, the grass has been planted on surface made up of sand, cork and polyethylene fibre, i.e. there is actually no trace of old-school soil. If regularly fertilised, this is apparently the best modern-day solution in order to grow grass which is robust, resistant to regular usage, and needs little direct sunlight.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-mSyIfcu-jxY\/VTN8YgInbcI\/AAAAAAAAFLM\/a6uC0t20HwY\/s1600\/159-Stade6.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"600\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-mSyIfcu-jxY\/VTN8YgInbcI\/AAAAAAAAFLM\/a6uC0t20HwY\/s1600\/159-Stade6.JPG\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EBig job, small lawnmower.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EIs it all good news? Well, the day I was there was not especially windy, but walking around the mid-level concourse (which will become a hub for supporters with multiple shops and fast-food outlets) it felt like all the wind in south-western France had been channelled by the stands into that compact area, as well as through the narrow entrances into the main arena. If that is a recurring issue, it could result in some literally hair-raising situations; the wind felt almost overpowering. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-6YNALCkAY7Y\/VTN9OUn6mNI\/AAAAAAAAFLc\/UxbNGnc_DPA\/s1600\/159-Stade8.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"600\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-6YNALCkAY7Y\/VTN9OUn6mNI\/AAAAAAAAFLc\/UxbNGnc_DPA\/s1600\/159-Stade8.JPG\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe windy concourse.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOn the whole though, the architects and designers appear to have got everything right. The inaugural match between Girondins de Bordeaux and Montpellier will be a proud night for the city of Bordeaux who commissioned the stadium, the Vinci\/Fayat consortium (Stade Bordeaux-Atlantique) who delivered it, and for the players and supporters who will regard it as their new home. Roll on May 23rd! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-riv6J8cZC5o\/VTN8kro79HI\/AAAAAAAAFLU\/gMyD4rqMieg\/s1600\/159-Stade7.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"450\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-riv6J8cZC5o\/VTN8kro79HI\/AAAAAAAAFLU\/gMyD4rqMieg\/s1600\/159-Stade7.JPG\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFind it on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ll=44.84376,-0.578585\u0026amp;spn=0.017709,0.038581\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe Invisible Bordeaux map\u003C\/a\u003E:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EStade Bordeaux-Atlantique\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBig thanks to Marie-Caroline Chenut for the visit! For full information about hosting corporate events at the stadium, see this page: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nouveau-stade-bordeaux.com\/entreprises\/1171-evenements.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewww.nouveau-stade-bordeaux.com\/entreprises\/1171-evenements.html\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lebordeauxinvisible.blogspot.fr\/2015\/04\/a-linterieur-du-stade-bordeaux.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECet article est également disponible en français !\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3388314201224914577\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/inside-stade-bordeaux-atlantique-next.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/3388314201224914577"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/3388314201224914577"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/inside-stade-bordeaux-atlantique-next.html","title":"Inside Stade Bordeaux-Atlantique, the next big sporting arena"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-PoOPgbMqsNk\/VTN56mdXvsI\/AAAAAAAAFKk\/1mbKWyqvySs\/s72-c\/159-Stade1.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-6459131660468907192"},"published":{"$t":"2015-03-10T21:20:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-03-17T21:06:46.699+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cycle path"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Entre-deux-Mers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Lapébie cycling dynasty, the velodrome of Bordeaux and the Entre-Deux-Mers bike path"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-z2yBBbv593s\/VPjRjxpJrlI\/AAAAAAAAFBo\/TX2-T5ZlqF8\/s1600\/154-Lapebie0b.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-z2yBBbv593s\/VPjRjxpJrlI\/AAAAAAAAFBo\/TX2-T5ZlqF8\/s1600\/154-Lapebie0b.JPG\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E“Lapébie” is a name which is familiar to cyclists who use the velodrome in Bordeaux or travel along the 54-kilometre cycle path which runs between the city and Sauveterre-de-Guyenne. But who were the Lapébies?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThey were two brothers. Roger was born in Bayonne in 1911, Guy following suit in the Landes town of Saint-Geours-de-Maremne in 1916. Over the subsequent years, the family base shifted to Pessac, where their father managed the Médoquine freight station, although their mother reportedly soon moved to Neuilly-sur-Seine, in the suburbs of Paris.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NeN79x3-4C8\/VPjRkAi4qHI\/AAAAAAAAFBw\/mZr5bphs_3g\/s1600\/154-Lapebie1a.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NeN79x3-4C8\/VPjRkAi4qHI\/AAAAAAAAFBw\/mZr5bphs_3g\/s1600\/154-Lapebie1a.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"139\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ERoger Lapébie. \u003Cbr \/\u003ESource: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Roger_Lap%C3%A9bie\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWikipedia\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/div\u003ECome the early 1930s, Roger was already big news as a cyclist and he went on to enjoy a short but illustrious career. In 1932, he celebrated his first stage win on the \u003Ci\u003ETour de France\u003C\/i\u003E (something he achieved nine times overall), ahead of becoming French road cycling champion the following year. In 1934, he was the first to cross the line in the gruelling Paris-Roubaix race. After initially being celebrated as the winner, he was disqualified when it emerged a flat tyre 12 kilometres before the end of the race had led to him illegally “borrowing” a spectator’s bike to complete the race. His finest hour came in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tour_de_France_1937\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E1937 though when he won the \u003Ci\u003ETour\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, finishing first in three individual stages. But in 1939, he fell awkwardly at the end of the Bordeaux-Paris classic, and the resulting knee injury put an end to his career. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"float: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-74z3LbnZLvg\/VPjRkOraecI\/AAAAAAAAFBs\/7vWFSRwUrhU\/s1600\/154-Lapebie1b.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-74z3LbnZLvg\/VPjRkOraecI\/AAAAAAAAFBs\/7vWFSRwUrhU\/s1600\/154-Lapebie1b.jpg\" height=\"132\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EGuy Lapébie.\u003Cbr \/\u003ESource: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sudouest.fr\/2013\/03\/12\/guy-lapebie-le-petit-telegraphiste-qui-pedalait-991718-2780.php\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESud Ouest\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EWhile Roger was busy making early headlines, younger brother Guy was also cycling… to work. His job was at the telegraph station on the corner of Cours de l’Intendance and Rue Vital-Carles (now an Orange telecoms outlet). But he too was set to become a champion cyclist, winning two gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin: the team pursuit and the team road race. War put a stop to his rising star, and his stage wins in the \u003Ci\u003ETour de France \u003C\/i\u003E(in 1948, when he finished 3rd overall and in 1949) were late signs of what might have been if he had been able to compete to the full throughout the first half of the 1940s.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Lapébie brothers both settled in Bordeaux, turning to more conventional day jobs. Guy took over a \u003Ci\u003Ebrasserie \u003C\/i\u003Eon Cours Clémenceau, possibly at number 8 in premises which have now become one of the city’s many \u003Ci\u003EBistro Régent\u003C\/i\u003E restaurants. As such he became a highly-respected figure among the Bordeaux establishment. He also went on to build a hotel-restaurant in the Pyrenean village of Mourtis which was run by his son \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Serge_Lap%C3%A9bie\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESerge\u003C\/a\u003E (also a professional cyclist) until the latter's accidental death aged just 43 in 1991.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NeN79x3-4C8\/VPjRkAi4qHI\/AAAAAAAAFBw\/mZr5bphs_3g\/s1600\/154-Lapebie1a.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe elder Lapébie, Roger, ran a bike shop on Cours Victor-Hugo before opening another shop in Paris in association with Guy. A quick \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.google.fr\/search?q=v%C3%A9lo+lap%C3%A9bie\u0026amp;source=lnms\u0026amp;tbm=isch\u0026amp;sa=X\u0026amp;ei=9x_6VPq8EcmwUdPvg_gJ\u0026amp;ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ\u0026amp;biw=1252\u0026amp;bih=602\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGoogle search\u003C\/a\u003E shows that bikes sporting the Lapébie name have now become desirable collectors’ items, but at the time it was more of a struggle; Roger ended up doing odd jobs to make ends meet and lived on a modest pension once he’d retired. Roger Lapébie died at a hospital in Pessac in October 1996 aged 85, Guy Lapébie died in March 2010 in Bagnères-de-Luchon at the grand old age of 94.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETheir names live on in Bordeaux, most notably in the shape of the \"\u003Ci\u003EStadium de Bordeaux\u003C\/i\u003E\" velodrome track which was built in the Lac district of the city and opened in 1989, a few years after the cycle track around \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2013\/02\/stade-chaban-delmas-nearing-end-of-its.html\"\u003EParc Lescure (now Parc Chaban-Delmas)\u003C\/a\u003E was removed to make way for extra seating. The impressive structure, conceived by architect \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Roger_Taillibert\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERoger Taillibert\u003C\/a\u003E, can hold up to 6,600 spectators (4,500 seated), and regularly holds top-level cycling events. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VMf3PQ-NmXQ\/VPjRmioOUKI\/AAAAAAAAFCI\/y0R4NuzaINM\/s1600\/154-Lapebie3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VMf3PQ-NmXQ\/VPjRmioOUKI\/AAAAAAAAFCI\/y0R4NuzaINM\/s1600\/154-Lapebie3.jpg\" height=\"315\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe Lapébie track itself is made from exotic wood shipped in from Cameroon, and is renowned for being particularly fast. A special board displayed in the lobby details the records which have been broken on the track, mainly hour records by cycling legends including \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chris_Boardman\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChris Boardman\u003C\/a\u003E (whose name has been misspelt on the board), \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Miguel_Indurain\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMiguel Indurain\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tony_Rominger\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETony Rominger\u003C\/a\u003E. But sadly, it looks as if the record books have been untroubled by the \u003Ci\u003EPiste Cycliste Roger et Guy Lapébie\u003C\/i\u003E since 1999. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--yxCkB5yJB4\/VPjRoe0A1tI\/AAAAAAAAFCQ\/hc_wJnodOI8\/s1600\/154-Lapebie4.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--yxCkB5yJB4\/VPjRoe0A1tI\/AAAAAAAAFCQ\/hc_wJnodOI8\/s1600\/154-Lapebie4.JPG\" height=\"465\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ETo the east of the city, Roger gets a magnificent cycle path all to himself.\u003Ci\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.af3v.org\/-Fiche-VVV-.html?voie=16\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELa piste Roger Lapébie\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E, like so many cycle paths, is a converted railway line (this one was decommissioned in 1979), and runs from Latresne through Entre-Deux-Mers territory - between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers - to Sauveterre-de-Guyenne. On the way there are numerous converted railway stations, villages complete with picture-postcard church steeples, the charming market town of Créon, the renowned \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/la-sauve-majeure.monuments-nationaux.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EAbbaye de La Sauve-Majeure\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (within easy reach of the track), plenty of greenery and some impressive bridges… not to mention a long tunnel which adds a slightly eerie feel to that part of the ride. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0Zagti-vhN0\/VPjRpF_ns7I\/AAAAAAAAFCY\/ey4qdQlS_qc\/s1600\/154-Lapebie5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0Zagti-vhN0\/VPjRpF_ns7I\/AAAAAAAAFCY\/ey4qdQlS_qc\/s1600\/154-Lapebie5.jpg\" height=\"406\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAfter promising myself for many years that I’d cycle the Lapébie path, I finally got round to doing just that a few weeks ago and must say I found it to be a delightful track which I heartily recommend. It is an apt tribute to Roger Lapébie and, by proxy, to his younger brother Guy, the local cycling champions of the 1930s. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9znkiIiAlvo\/VPjRpp8PLNI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/GPua0i4lrGA\/s1600\/154-Lapebie6.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9znkiIiAlvo\/VPjRpp8PLNI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/GPua0i4lrGA\/s1600\/154-Lapebie6.jpg\" height=\"406\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\"Look, no hands!\" Guy and Roger Lapébie at the grand opening of the velodrome in 1989. Source: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sudouest.fr\/2013\/09\/20\/bordeaux-lac-les-cinquante-ans-du-quartier-en-images-1175040-2780.php\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESud Ouest\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFind them on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/edit?mid=znajpLP-OmN4.kIp6O1miPy6c\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ll=44.84376%2C-0.578585\u0026amp;spn=0.017709%2C0.038581\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe Invisible Bordeaux map\u003C\/a\u003E:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EStadium de Bordeaux velodrome, Bordeaux, Roger Lapébie cycle path, Latresne.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EChris Cooley over at the excellent \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/drinkingitallin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDrinking It All In\u003C\/a\u003E blog wrote a fine account of cycling along the Lapébie bike path from Bordeaux to Créon. You'll find it \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/drinkingitallin.com\/2013\/10\/23\/bordeaux-to-creon-cycle-path\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6459131660468907192\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/the-lapebie-cycling-dynasty-velodrome.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/6459131660468907192"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/6459131660468907192"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/the-lapebie-cycling-dynasty-velodrome.html","title":"The Lapébie cycling dynasty, the velodrome of Bordeaux and the Entre-Deux-Mers bike path"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-z2yBBbv593s\/VPjRjxpJrlI\/AAAAAAAAFBo\/TX2-T5ZlqF8\/s72-c\/154-Lapebie0b.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-8017235026321358012"},"published":{"$t":"2015-01-21T21:15:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-01-22T21:33:55.752+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Chartrons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Girondins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"History"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Le Haillan"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mérignac"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Stade des Chartrons: the Girondins stadium which has disappeared from view"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-R0IrUceatKg\/VLWU2tmVZbI\/AAAAAAAAE6k\/ZaaKmwqTXpk\/s1600\/149-Stade0.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-R0IrUceatKg\/VLWU2tmVZbI\/AAAAAAAAE6k\/ZaaKmwqTXpk\/s1600\/149-Stade0.JPG\" height=\"130\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELocal top-flight football (soccer) team Girondins de Bordeaux will soon be leaving \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2013\/02\/stade-chaban-delmas-nearing-end-of-its.html\"\u003EStade Chaban-Delmas\u003C\/a\u003E and moving to their \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/03\/an-update-on-stade-bordeaux-atlantique.html\"\u003Enew purpose-built stadium\u003C\/a\u003E in the Lac district of the city. But did you know that in the early years of the club, les Girondins in fact alternated between two stadiums: Parc Lescure (now Chaban-Delmas) and Stade des Chartrons, aptly enough in the Chartrons quarter. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo get the full story, Invisible Bordeaux teamed up with fellow blogger Antoine Puentès, also known as \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/mysticktroy.wordpress.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMyStickTroy\u003C\/a\u003E, who had suggested the subject as a potentially interesting one to pursue together. To add an extra layer, a request had also come through from David Ledru, the webmaster behind the marvellous \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/scapulaire.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EScapulaire.com\u003C\/a\u003E site (the definitive online database and guide to the history of the Girondins de Bordeaux), who wanted to track down information about the buildings which had taken the stadium’s place, on behalf of the descendants of Olivier Lhoste-Clos, a former chairman of the club.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-9DjILLO0fhg\/VLWHVS7ievI\/AAAAAAAAE5Q\/QKTOMsKoUUQ\/s1600\/149-Stade2.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-9DjILLO0fhg\/VLWHVS7ievI\/AAAAAAAAE5Q\/QKTOMsKoUUQ\/s1600\/149-Stade2.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"165\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo, where do we start? The Girondins football team’s story began in 1919 when they were formed as part of an “\u003Ci\u003Eomnisports\u003C\/i\u003E” club whose roots can be traced back to 1881, when the \u003Ci\u003ESociété de gymnastique et de tir des Girondins\u003C\/i\u003E was founded (hence the “1881” which features on the football club’s badge these days). They soon became known as \u003Ci\u003EGirondins Guyenne Sport\u003C\/i\u003E (in reference to the 1924 merger with \u003Ci\u003EGuyenne Sports\u003C\/i\u003E from the Saint-Augustin district).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIn 1936, under the leadership of chairman Olivier Lhoste-Clos and club secretary Raymond Brard, les Girondins merged with local rivals Bordeaux FC… and the following year became amateur champions of France. Now known as Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club (and their shirts freshly comprising their now-distinctive “V” design), they applied to turn professional. There had previously been two professional teams in the city, \u003Ci\u003ESporting Club de la Bastidienne\u003C\/i\u003E and \u003Ci\u003EClub Deportivo Espagnol de Bordeaux\u003C\/i\u003E, who had merged to form a single team, \u003Ci\u003EFC Hispano-Bastidienne\u003C\/i\u003E… but the experience had been short-lived. The Girondins therefore were keen to become the city’s single professional football team and in the 1937-38 season they managed just that, competing in group B of France’s second division. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-CWxDtQNd5bg\/VLWIWq1PjVI\/AAAAAAAAE5Y\/CN2vCYbDVLA\/s1600\/149-Stade4.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-CWxDtQNd5bg\/VLWIWq1PjVI\/AAAAAAAAE5Y\/CN2vCYbDVLA\/s1600\/149-Stade4.jpg\" height=\"600\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ETop left: September 1938 picture of the Girondins sporting their brand new \"V\" design shirts, possibly at the inaugural game at Stade des Chartrons (source: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.scapulaire.com\/Seasons.php?Page=Stadechartrons2\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EScapulaire.com\u003C\/a\u003E). The other two pictures show games in progress at the stadium. Source top right: Sud Ouest via \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/histoire-caychac.e-monsite.com\/album\/les-girondins-de-bordeaux-1936-2006-edite-par-sud-ouest\/le-stade-des-charbons.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHistoire Caychac\u003C\/a\u003E, bottom: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.scapulaire.com\/Seasons.php?Page=Stadechartrons2\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EScapulaire.com\u003C\/a\u003E (note the 1930s advert for the website).\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EThe club’s structure was taking shape and, with the financial help of \u003Ci\u003ERacing Club de France\u003C\/i\u003E, les Girondins purchased a plot of marshland in the Chartrons district, between Rue de Leybardie and Rue Chantecrit. The location was destined to become their footballing HQ – up until this point they had played at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.residencelevoltaire.fr\/un-peu-dhistoire\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EParc de Suzon\u003C\/a\u003E in Talence (while the club’s offices were on Cours Clémenceau). Topsoil was brought in from the suburb of Bruges to serve as a base for the pitch. And, as a lucky coincidence, the city of Bordeaux had totally dismantled the 10,000-seater stands of the Cyprien Alfred-Duprat-designed stadium which was to make way for the far more modern Parc Lescure, inaugurated during the 1938 World Cup. Those stands were entirely rebuilt in the Chartrons district, and the Stade des Chartrons was born.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-plNuEBBhImE\/VLWJt0QInYI\/AAAAAAAAE5k\/PFY7FaG7RNw\/s1600\/Nouvelle%2Bimage%2Bbitmap.bmp\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe Girondins’ inaugural game in their new stadium was held on September 18th 1938, and the locals thrashed Dunkerque 8-1. According to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.scapulaire.com\/Seasons.php?Page=Stadechartrons\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epress reports\u003C\/a\u003E, the game “drew a large crowd in spite of having to compete with an athletics meeting at the \u003Ci\u003Estade municipal\u003C\/i\u003E [Lescure]”. Indeed, over the ensuing years, the Girondins were just one of many residents at Lescure, sharing the space with athletes, cyclists and rugby teams. At the Stade des Chartrons, the Girondins were genuinely on home ground, playing in their own stadium which was entirely dedicated to football. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-plNuEBBhImE\/VLWJt0QInYI\/AAAAAAAAE5k\/PFY7FaG7RNw\/s1600\/Nouvelle%2Bimage%2Bbitmap.bmp\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-plNuEBBhImE\/VLWJt0QInYI\/AAAAAAAAE5k\/PFY7FaG7RNw\/s1600\/Nouvelle%2Bimage%2Bbitmap.bmp\" height=\"185\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EIn 1940, the club merged with \u003Ci\u003EAssociation Sportive du Port\u003C\/i\u003E (an anchor was added to the club’s badge at the time), although this was mainly because, in this wartime period, Girondins sportsmen were called on to operate as \u003Ci\u003Epompiers \u003C\/i\u003Efor the Port of Bordeaux. The newly-enrolled members of the club therefore avoided being deported or being assigned to tasks such as the construction of the \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2012\/01\/atlantic-wall-bunkers-slip-sliding-away.html\" target=\"\"\u003EAtlantikwall\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E. (It might also be noted that during the War, Italian and German soldiers stationed at the nearby \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2011\/12\/la-base-sous-marine-ghostly-ww2-u-boat.html\" target=\"\"\u003Esubmarine base\u003C\/a\u003E made use of the Chartrons sporting facilities.) Meanwhile, back on the pitch itself, les Girondins won the French Cup in 1941 after a “series” of finals (the cup’s format had been somewhat disturbed by the country’s situation). The club wouldn’t win the cup again \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9-YHCZYbEwY\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Euntil 1986\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-WAESkD_-cX8\/VLWKUF8Ec-I\/AAAAAAAAE5s\/9cUgDAQ3Ck8\/s1600\/149-Stade7.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-WAESkD_-cX8\/VLWKUF8Ec-I\/AAAAAAAAE5s\/9cUgDAQ3Ck8\/s1600\/149-Stade7.jpg\" height=\"388\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ECup finalists again in 1943. Standing to the right, partly obscured, is club chairman Olivier Lhoste-Clos (source: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/scapulaire.com\/365\/?p=1674\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EScapulaire.com\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ELes Girondins nevertheless continued their gradual sporting ascent and became French champions for the first time in 1950. And they carried on alternating between Lescure and Chartrons until September 21st 1958, when the club (then back in the second division) became the official primary users of Parc Lescure. If so, according to records, the final match at the Chartrons stadium was, in all likelihood, a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.lfp.fr\/ligue2\/feuille_match\/10396\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E1-0 home win versus Stade Français\u003C\/a\u003E on September 7th.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Girondins continued to train at the stadium, which was no longer used for top-level matches, until 1962 when a major change was to occur. The “\u003Ci\u003Eomnisports\u003C\/i\u003E” club purchased the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.les-girondins.com\/club\/galerie\/galerie\/le-domaine-de-rocquevielle\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDomaine de Rocquevieille\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E in Mérignac and transformed it into a sports complex that comprised the football team’s training quarters. The Chartrons stadium was no longer needed and was passed on to the city of Bordeaux, who had grand plans for the 16,681 square metres of land that were freed up: it would be an ideal location to rehouse some of the working class inhabitants who were about to be evicted from the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2013\/04\/meriadeck-this-used-to-be-vision-of.html\" target=\"\"\u003EMériadeck\u003C\/a\u003E district, which was on course to be transformed from a seedy neighbourhood of \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2012\/03\/echoppes-bordelaises-low-rise-fixture.html\"\u003Eéchoppes\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/i\u003Einto the city’s ultra-modern high-rise administrative and business quarter. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn 1962 the stadium was therefore demolished and, shortly afterwards, made way for two high-rise estates: \u003Ci\u003ERésidence Chantecrit \u003C\/i\u003Eand \u003Ci\u003ERésidence des Chartrons\u003C\/i\u003E. The latter can be reached via a short \u003Ci\u003Ecul-de-sac\u003C\/i\u003E off Rue Leybardie which has been given the name Cité Lhoste-Clos, in memory of the man who had been at the helm of the Girondins between 1934 and 1945, and, as noted above, had been instrumental in the construction of the stadium.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-q7DWv6ZYClI\/VLWMPfWCP4I\/AAAAAAAAE6A\/z5xc3OtqZyU\/s1600\/149-StadeChartronsMap.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-q7DWv6ZYClI\/VLWMPfWCP4I\/AAAAAAAAE6A\/z5xc3OtqZyU\/s1600\/149-StadeChartronsMap.jpg\" height=\"640\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe area as seen on GoogleEarth, and the approximate past location of the stadium.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yoArHvP1nC0\/VL_4EMmcyMI\/AAAAAAAAE64\/IAT45IdkIe4\/s1600\/149-StadeChartronsEarth.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yoArHvP1nC0\/VL_4EMmcyMI\/AAAAAAAAE64\/IAT45IdkIe4\/s1600\/149-StadeChartronsEarth.jpg\" height=\"266\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThis aerial view, captured by reader \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/VincentMrgs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVincent M\u003C\/a\u003E with the GoogleEarth History application, shows the same area as it was in the mid-20th century. The stadium is clearly visible.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3Gc0_qPvhFg\/VMFdifKb9MI\/AAAAAAAAE7k\/NfDtROo9VAw\/s1600\/149-StadeChartronsAerial1947.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3Gc0_qPvhFg\/VMFdifKb9MI\/AAAAAAAAE7k\/NfDtROo9VAw\/s1600\/149-StadeChartronsAerial1947.jpg\" height=\"570\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EAnd this incredible aerial view, spotted by reader Gaël Barreau on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.geoportail.gouv.fr\/accueil\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGéoportail\u003C\/a\u003E, shows the scene in 1947. Look carefully and you'll see there are even footballers on the pitch (but no spectators). Note the empty swimming pool bottom left... Could that be another potential blog subject?\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EVisiting the site early one morning with Antoine, our theory is that the main entrance to the stadium may well have been located at the end of the \u003Ci\u003Ecul-de-sac\u003C\/i\u003E, which still today is flanked by houses which probably date back to the 1930s or beyond. Whatever, we enjoyed the idea that the view looking down towards where the stadium was may have changed relatively little. But the view where the pitch used to be shows no sign whatsoever of its football heritage. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hmQzTdideb0\/VLWLw0SlVYI\/AAAAAAAAE54\/wiZLg0FJOUo\/s1600\/149-Stade5.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hmQzTdideb0\/VLWLw0SlVYI\/AAAAAAAAE54\/wiZLg0FJOUo\/s1600\/149-Stade5.jpg\" height=\"416\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe view at Cité Lhoste-Clos, and the scene where the football pitch used to be.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EInstead, it is now a combination of apartment blocks, greenery and practical parking spaces. It’s all very functional and, looking in from outside, seems to be a pleasant environment for the residents in the private “\u003Ci\u003Ecopropriété\u003C\/i\u003E” (commonhold\/condominium). \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOver on Rue Chantecrit, a “\u003Ci\u003ECity-Stade\u003C\/i\u003E” urban sports pitch does at least provide an opportunity to photograph one of the apartment blocks from a sporting environment. With Antoine we wonder whether this is where a coal processing factory was located when the Stade des Chartrons was in its prime. Over time, layers of coal dust from the factory were deposited on the stands, later causing some commentators to jokingly refer to the stadium as \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/histoire-caychac.e-monsite.com\/album\/les-girondins-de-bordeaux-1936-2006-edite-par-sud-ouest\/le-stade-des-charbons.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStade des Charbons\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E (coal).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-E5A-3GiW_Ns\/VLWM2_VC95I\/AAAAAAAAE6I\/L6UbtQATUcg\/s1600\/149-Stade6.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-E5A-3GiW_Ns\/VLWM2_VC95I\/AAAAAAAAE6I\/L6UbtQATUcg\/s1600\/149-Stade6.JPG\" height=\"350\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe coal, like the stadium, is long gone, the district has continued to develop, and the Girondins have gone on to flourish, becoming one of the country’s most successful outfits. In 1981, the football team became a standalone entity, setting up their own training facilities at \u003Ci\u003EDomaine Bel Air\u003C\/i\u003E, a château in Le Haillan. Meanwhile, the \u003Ci\u003ERocquevielle \u003C\/i\u003Esporting facilities continue to be used by the “\u003Ci\u003Eomnisports\u003C\/i\u003E” club to this day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-G2Gtl11ajew\/VLWOMzpd5JI\/AAAAAAAAE6U\/5g8xYhAJyOE\/s1600\/149-Stade8.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-G2Gtl11ajew\/VLWOMzpd5JI\/AAAAAAAAE6U\/5g8xYhAJyOE\/s1600\/149-Stade8.jpg\" height=\"300\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ETop: the Rocquevieille complex in Mérignac, which is still home to the Girondins \u003Ci\u003Eomnisports \u003C\/i\u003Eclub, and bottom: the Le Haillan headquarters and training facilities of the modern-day football team.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;Find it on the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ll=44.84376,-0.578585\u0026amp;spn=0.017709,0.038581\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInvisible Bordeaux map\u003C\/a\u003E:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESite of Stade des Chartrons, Cité Lhoste-Clos, Bordeaux; Domaine de Rocquevielle, Avenue Marcel-Dassault, Mérignac; Château du Haillan, Le Haillan. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe French-language version of this article is available on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/mysticktroy.wordpress.com\/2015\/01\/21\/le-stade-des-chartrons-le-stade-des-girondins-qui-a-disparu-du-paysage\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe MystickTroy's Blogpaper\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8017235026321358012\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/stade-des-chartrons-girondins-stadium.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/8017235026321358012"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/8017235026321358012"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/stade-des-chartrons-girondins-stadium.html","title":"Stade des Chartrons: the Girondins stadium which has disappeared from view"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-R0IrUceatKg\/VLWU2tmVZbI\/AAAAAAAAE6k\/ZaaKmwqTXpk\/s72-c\/149-Stade0.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-255140987606031015"},"published":{"$t":"2014-12-26T18:00:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-12-26T18:30:04.672+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bastide"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux2066"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Disability"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gironde"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"History"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Landes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Monument"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Pauillac"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Puynormand"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sculpture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tourism"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"2014 in review: five personal favourites "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Jv4vtXlWLW0\/VI4Bur-jMKI\/AAAAAAAAE2A\/FGhJfYQyLHc\/s1600\/Reviews-002.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Jv4vtXlWLW0\/VI4Bur-jMKI\/AAAAAAAAE2A\/FGhJfYQyLHc\/s1600\/Reviews-002.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAll the subjects covered by the website over the past twelve months have once again been a delight to compile and research. But here are five subjects which proved particularly interesting when peeling the layers away. Click on the titles or associated pictures to read the items!\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/null\" name=\"more\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/11\/puynormands-point-45n-0-where-greenwich.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/11\/puynormands-point-45n-0-where-greenwich.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rhYMd_M1w3U\/VI4B2tzBTcI\/AAAAAAAAE2I\/PUK3ik_uMcQ\/s1600\/06-PuynormandB.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/11\/puynormands-point-45n-0-where-greenwich.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPuynormand’s point 45°N 0°: where the Greenwich meridian and the 45th parallel north intersect\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIt was a bit of a Eureka moment when I realised that this unique confluence point (the exact spot mid-way between the Equator and the North Pole where west becomes east) was within driving distance of Bordeaux. The rainy road-trip to Puynormand with \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bordeaux2066.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBordeaux 2066\u003C\/a\u003E’s Vincent and my son Dorian threw up a few surprises including one incredible chance encounter, and it was ultimately a strangely fruitful investigation – ironically enough for something as abstract as imaginary lines on the terrestrial globe. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bordeaux2066.com\/2014\/11\/24\/le-point-45n-0-a-puynormand-a-lintersection-du-meridien-de-greenwich-et-du-45eme-parallele\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E[Version française également disponible]\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/08\/sculptor-francois-didier-plans-reliefs.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/08\/sculptor-francois-didier-plans-reliefs.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-16NmnpKDDUE\/VI4B9KK4NCI\/AAAAAAAAE2Q\/UX1czw-uvOo\/s1600\/07-FDidierB.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/08\/sculptor-francois-didier-plans-reliefs.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESculptor François Didier, the plans-reliefs of Bordeaux and Bages, and the Jardin de Casaque\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ELike many people (both tourists and locals), I enjoy admiring the three bronze orientation maps located in central Bordeaux. By investigating a little I was able to meet up with François Didier, the sculptor behind the pieces, and got the inside story on how the 3D “\u003Ci\u003Eplans-reliefs\u003C\/i\u003E” came about. The report also enabled me to visit \u003Ci\u003Ele Jardin de Casaque\u003C\/i\u003E, his private sculpture garden in Lugos, as well as taking me to the village of Bages near Pauillac to see two further bronze orientation maps. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/07\/when-bordeaux-city-centre-became.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/07\/when-bordeaux-city-centre-became.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ieXd9kmqcko\/VI4CCWHfG0I\/AAAAAAAAE2Y\/cG6Wunwcj6o\/s1600\/08-F1B.jpg\" height=\"254\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/07\/when-bordeaux-city-centre-became.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhen Bordeaux city centre became a Formula 1 racing track\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIt is now incredible to think that Formula 1 races were staged in central Bordeaux in the 1950s. This Invisible Bordeaux item provided an overview of the story, which is recounted in greater detail by Frederick Llorens and Yves Baillot d’Estivaux in their book “\u003Ci\u003ELes Grands Prix de Bordeaux”\u003C\/i\u003E. The blog’s added value though was to cycle the full length of the circuit, film the evidence, and then to speed up the footage to get an idea of what it would have looked like from the wheel of a 1950s racing car. It’s all very spectacular and, remarkably, no pedestrians, animals or British cyclists were harmed during the recording.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/05\/accessible-bordeaux-how-wheelchair.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/05\/accessible-bordeaux-how-wheelchair.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-27YHlFi3Wxo\/VI4CIuCAkUI\/AAAAAAAAE2g\/FvDxjz_dHvM\/s1600\/09-AccessibleD.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/05\/accessible-bordeaux-how-wheelchair.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAccessible Bordeaux: how wheelchair-friendly is the city?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOne of the priorities of today’s cities is to make them accessible to disabled citizens. To find out how well Bordeaux scores on this front, I spent a morning with my physically-disabled friend Jérôme Mabon. Together we toured the city centre using public transport, dealing with pavements, steps and browsing in shops. How accessible would Bordeaux prove to be? \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lebordeauxinvisible.blogspot.fr\/2014\/05\/a-la-decouverte-de-bordeaux-en-fauteuil.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E[Version française également disponible]\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/12\/dr-chabrely-la-bastides-unforgettable.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/12\/dr-chabrely-la-bastides-unforgettable.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vOqWAqs317s\/VI4CPUbStfI\/AAAAAAAAE2o\/AW1mOjzLqsA\/s1600\/10-ChabrelyB.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/12\/dr-chabrely-la-bastides-unforgettable.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDr Chabrely: La Bastide's unforgettable “\u003Ci\u003Emédecin des pauvres\u003C\/i\u003E”\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThis is one of the most recent items to have been published on the blog. I’m especially pleased with it when I think back to how little information I initially had about this doctor whose statue stands proud on Place Montaud. That was until I got in touch with Brigitte Charles and Michel Pionnier from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AssociationHistoiresdeLaBastide\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAssociation Histoire(s) de la Bastide\u003C\/a\u003E who selflessly passed on a host of photos, documents and pieces of information. The article took shape and even features a moving poem which was read out at Dr Chabrely’s funeral. The poem is one of Brigitte and Michel’s most incredible finds… and definitely deserved wider exposure 120 years down the line!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFarewell then 2014! And now let’s look forward to 2015 and another year of investigating more \"invisible\" subjects in and around Bordeaux... Thank you for reading this far and please call again!\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/255140987606031015\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/2014-in-review-five-personal-favourites.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/255140987606031015"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/255140987606031015"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/2014-in-review-five-personal-favourites.html","title":"2014 in review: five personal favourites "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Jv4vtXlWLW0\/VI4Bur-jMKI\/AAAAAAAAE2A\/FGhJfYQyLHc\/s72-c\/Reviews-002.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-8278828824757612476"},"published":{"$t":"2014-12-20T10:33:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-12-22T21:20:00.795+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Architecture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Art deco"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux2066"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Garonne"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gironde"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"History"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Infrastructure"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Postcards"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Railway line"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Saint-Savin"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"2014 in review: the year’s most-read Invisible Bordeaux items"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-E08Vzjh39S8\/VI4A6NJc8NI\/AAAAAAAAE1Q\/Zx5XeMoXdhE\/s1600\/Reviews-001.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-E08Vzjh39S8\/VI4A6NJc8NI\/AAAAAAAAE1Q\/Zx5XeMoXdhE\/s1600\/Reviews-001.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe 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!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/06\/saint-savins-road-to-argentina-1978-and.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/06\/saint-savins-road-to-argentina-1978-and.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DLSlIeXvP7g\/VI4BARHWqwI\/AAAAAAAAE1Y\/nVUK5hD4Kg8\/s1600\/05-StSavinB.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2013\/10\/le-chapon-fin-bordeaux-dining.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/06\/saint-savins-road-to-argentina-1978-and.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E5. Saint-Savin's road to Argentina 1978 and the attempted kidnap of Michel Hidalgo\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ETo be honest I wasn’t expecting this item to be ranked among the year’s most-read items, but perhaps its top-five status is a side-effect of the football (soccer) World Cup that took place back in June and July. The subject matter took me to the village of Saint-Savin where I hunted down the approximate spot where there was a failed attempt to kidnap France’s team coach Michel Hidalgo as he set off for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. The story is an uncomfortable juxtaposition of sport and politics, and was also an excuse to publish a photo of the memorable World Cup match where France mysteriously wore green and white stripes. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/02\/gare-saint-louis-once-railway-station.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/02\/gare-saint-louis-once-railway-station.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-CRwsFzo-nwA\/VI4BGx41_KI\/AAAAAAAAE1g\/jsqbGL31yT0\/s1600\/04-SaintLouisB.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/02\/gare-saint-louis-once-railway-station.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E4. Gare Saint-Louis: once a railway station, now a deserted shopping mall\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe concourses of many railway stations have gradually become shopping malls, so it was fascinating to visit Gare Saint-Louis, which has gone one step further and is now the wing of a Leclerc shopping centre. Since publishing this article, the Leclerc superstore itself has undergone some radical changes, and it has been reported that the old railway station section is also to be given a facelift. Given that, right now, that part of the shopping centre is visibly struggling, the recovery plan will be interesting to monitor.\u0026nbsp; \u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/03\/every-street-tells-story-my-afternoon.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/03\/every-street-tells-story-my-afternoon.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vPMWSIKBoPk\/VI4BL-Ud60I\/AAAAAAAAE1o\/m6kX53H1_co\/s1600\/03-Bdx2066B.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/03\/every-street-tells-story-my-afternoon.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E3. Every street tells a story: my afternoon with Bordeaux 2066\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAfter quietly becoming a fan of the Bordeaux 2066 blog, which aims to visit every one of the city’s 2,066 streets in no particular order other than that chosen for them by an Excel spreadsheet, I thought it would be interesting to see how the team operates. A date was set and we hooked up for a joint urban adventure on Rue Fénelon, one of Bordeaux’s shortest streets. And it all resulted in a double-whammy for readers: their \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bordeaux2066.com\/2014\/03\/30\/rue-fenelon\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eofficial account of what happened\u003C\/a\u003E (complete with Bordeaux 2066’s trademark humour and observations), and my official account of how the official account took shape. It’s all a bit confusing. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/06\/merging-past-and-present-views-of.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/06\/merging-past-and-present-views-of.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-vFjIgQwDtrQ\/VI4BR5i-GuI\/AAAAAAAAE1w\/zFJjimgTpiI\/s1600\/01-MergedB.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/06\/merging-past-and-present-views-of.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E2. Merging past and present views of Bordeaux\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThis collection of photos merging old postcards with present-day views from the same vantage point sought to take before-and-after pictures to new heights. Photos of the like had been produced in other cities, but judging by the response these shots, produced with friend Anthony Poulachon, was a first for Bordeaux. The pictures of a contemporary tram meeting its old-fashioned counterpart, and of the long-gone statue of President Sadi Carnot back where it used to be on Place Jean-Jaurès, clearly struck a chord with readers. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lebordeauxinvisible.blogspot.fr\/2014\/07\/bordeaux-les-images-du-passe-se-melent.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E[Version française également disponible]\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/02\/the-bordeaux-waterfront-as-featured-on.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/02\/the-bordeaux-waterfront-as-featured-on.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZdDIMrQrpIA\/VI4BXu_8jCI\/AAAAAAAAE14\/OX0Gv-NlYH4\/s1600\/02-OldB.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/02\/the-bordeaux-waterfront-as-featured-on.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1. The Bordeaux waterfront... as featured on old postcards\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIt can often take many hours of research and writing to produce an Invisible Bordeaux article. So isn’t it ironic that this year’s most-read piece was, in essence, just a set of postcards showing the Garonne riverfront at various points throughout the 20th century, along with paragraphs that basically pointed out what could be seen. I should do that more often! Right, when’s the next postcard fair?...\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8278828824757612476\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/2014-in-review-years-most-read.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/8278828824757612476"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/8278828824757612476"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/2014-in-review-years-most-read.html","title":"2014 in review: the year’s most-read Invisible Bordeaux items"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-E08Vzjh39S8\/VI4A6NJc8NI\/AAAAAAAAE1Q\/Zx5XeMoXdhE\/s72-c\/Reviews-001.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-909257834182237735"},"published":{"$t":"2014-07-15T19:00:00.000+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-07-29T19:03:25.385+02:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"History"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"When Bordeaux city centre became a Formula 1 racing track"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Zm3Vf-_aOEs\/U8Q2B-WGl_I\/AAAAAAAAEYA\/nS-srvCrU2s\/s1600\/132-GrandPrix1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Zm3Vf-_aOEs\/U8Q2B-WGl_I\/AAAAAAAAEYA\/nS-srvCrU2s\/s1600\/132-GrandPrix1.jpg\" width=\"145\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUnbelievable as it may seem today, in the early 1950s the city centre of Bordeaux hosted four Formula 1 Grand Prix races, attracting driving aces including Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Jean Behra and Maurice Trintignant. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMotor racing had grown in popularity throughout the first half of the 20th century, with a number of urban circuits holding Grand Prix events. In Gironde, the earliest races to be organised by \u003Ci\u003EAutomobile Club du Sud Ouest\u003C\/i\u003E (ACSO) were held in the \u003Ci\u003EParc Bordelais \u003C\/i\u003Ethroughout the 1920s, followed by a one-off Grand Prix in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles in 1932.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EPost-War, ACSO sought and obtained the support of Bordeaux city mayor Jacques Chaban-Delmas to organise a non-World Championship Grand Prix in Bordeaux itself, on a 2.5-kilometre circuit which looped around the Esplanade des Quinconces and along the waterfront. In order to be recognised as a Formula 1 race, the total distance had to be of at least 300 kilometres; drivers would therefore have to go around the track no less than 123 times, amounting to a little over three hours of racing.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003ETo get a feel of the circuit, I decided to try it out for myself on my yellow bicycle. Here is the (high-speed) result, based on the circuit for the 1954 Grand Prix (there were minor variations over the years):\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"335\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/c6wi4J8goFo\" width=\"600\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=c6wi4J8goFo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003EClick here if video does not display properly on your device.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe inaugural Grand Prix, comprising of time trials and the race itself, went on to be held on April 28th and 29th 1951, causing a great deal of motor-racing mayhem throughout the city and drawing 60,000 spectators. They viewed the race from temporary stands at the Garonne-side end of Esplanade des Quinconces (where the race started and finished), from the rooftop terraces of the riverside hangars (as featured in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/02\/the-bordeaux-waterfront-as-featured-on.html\"\u003Ethis previous item\u003C\/a\u003E) and from ground level on the Esplanade des Quinconces itself, with temporary footbridges enabling people to walk from one section to the next. The race was won by Frenchman \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Louis_Rosier\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELouis Rosier\u003C\/a\u003E, driving a Talbot 26C. Rosier also recorded the fastest lap, managing it in 1’28”, i.e. an average speed of 100.4 km\/h. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-2H_AJTz1PH0\/U8Q9FiboAOI\/AAAAAAAAEYg\/DIFfoKQUFuw\/s1600\/132-GrandPrix3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"132\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-2H_AJTz1PH0\/U8Q9FiboAOI\/AAAAAAAAEYg\/DIFfoKQUFuw\/s1600\/132-GrandPrix3.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EPhoto credited to C. Morin as \u003Cbr \/\u003Epreviously featured in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sudouest.fr\/2011\/04\/15\/un-souvenir-du-grand-prix-372697-2780.php\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESud Ouest\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EThe following year, against a backdrop of tussles with the FIA (\u003Ci\u003EFédération Internationale de l'Automobile\u003C\/i\u003E), the Grand Prix did not take place, a smaller-scale competition for local drivers being held instead. The Grand Prix returned in 1953 though, with 16 drivers signing up and, for the first time, the presence of Ferrari, whose \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alberto_Ascari\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAlberto Ascari\u003C\/a\u003E won the race ahead of team-mate \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Luigi_Villoresi\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELuigi Villoresi\u003C\/a\u003E and the legendary \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Juan_Manuel_Fangio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJuan Manuel Fangio\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EFerrari were also victorious in 1954, this time through the Argentine \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Froilan_Gonzalez\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJosé Froilán González\u003C\/a\u003E, who finished well ahead of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Robert_Manzon\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERobert Manzon\u003C\/a\u003E (Rosier), \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maurice_Trintignant\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMaurice Trintignant\u003C\/a\u003E (Ferrari) and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stirling_Moss\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStirling Moss\u003C\/a\u003E (Alfred Moss). Moss was also set to finish fourth the following year despite recording the circuit’s fastest-ever lap time (1’21”, averaging more than 109 km\/h). That 1955 Grand Prix was won by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jean_Behra\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJean Behra\u003C\/a\u003E (Maserati), who finished just two seconds ahead of team-mate \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Luigi_Musso\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELuigi Musso\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/center\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZMQVzNgKT6U\/U8Q2_9rUvPI\/AAAAAAAAEYI\/FnfUtqWVo64\/s1600\/132-GrandPrix2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZMQVzNgKT6U\/U8Q2_9rUvPI\/AAAAAAAAEYI\/FnfUtqWVo64\/s1600\/132-GrandPrix2.jpg\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EArtwork inspired by the Bordeaux races can be purchased from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flyandrive.com\/automobile_grandprix.htm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewww.flyandrive.com\u003C\/a\u003E: on the left is a scene from the 1953 Grand Prix with Ferrari's Ascari in the lead; on the right is a view of the home straight from 1954 showing, from left to right, Stirling Moss, José Froilán González, Eric Bayol and Jean Behra.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EBut less than two months after that April 1955 event, motor sport would change forever with what became known as the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1955_Le_Mans_disaster\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E1955 Le Mans disaster\u003C\/a\u003E: a spectacular crash which resulted in the death of 83 spectators (a further 120 were injured). As a result, the Bordeaux Grand Prix was to be definitively scrapped.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RSsSJ_zu5T4\/U8Q3_El5UwI\/AAAAAAAAEYQ\/bauxlQcsElk\/s1600\/132-GrandPrix5.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RSsSJ_zu5T4\/U8Q3_El5UwI\/AAAAAAAAEYQ\/bauxlQcsElk\/s1600\/132-GrandPrix5.jpg\" width=\"141\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003ETimes have changed though and every now and then the subject of a Bordeaux city-centre motor race is raised again, particularly given the success of the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pau_Grand_Prix\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGrand Prix still held today in Pau\u003C\/a\u003E. For now though, the Bordeaux Formula 1 Grand Prix is a thing of the past, and a poorly-documented past at that.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHowever, a book recently published by local racing enthusiast Frederick Llorens and Yves Baillot d’Estivaux, the son of one of the original organisers, has amassed archive pictures, facts, figures and reports about the four Grands Prix. The book has succeeded in raising awareness locally of these amazing events and is arguably the next best thing to seeing and hearing the legendary drivers themselves!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBig thanks to Fred for lending me the GoPro camera I used to film my Grand Prix lap!\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThis Mémoire de Bordeaux Métropole clip gives a feel of what the Grands Prix were like:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"335\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/134830488\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" width=\"600\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/134830488\"\u003ELa F1 à Bordeaux ©La Mémoire de Bordeaux Métropole \/ Fonds privés\u003C\/a\u003E from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/user37545862\"\u003EMémoire Bordeaux\u003C\/a\u003E on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/\"\u003EVimeo\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/909257834182237735\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/when-bordeaux-city-centre-became.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/909257834182237735"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/909257834182237735"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/when-bordeaux-city-centre-became.html","title":"When Bordeaux city centre became a Formula 1 racing track"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Zm3Vf-_aOEs\/U8Q2B-WGl_I\/AAAAAAAAEYA\/nS-srvCrU2s\/s72-c\/132-GrandPrix1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-713785104102761603"},"published":{"$t":"2014-06-15T12:00:00.000+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-03-27T13:54:53.796+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gironde"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Saint-Savin"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Saint-Savin's road to Argentina 1978 and the attempted kidnap of Michel Hidalgo"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-cwyEn6B7lPk\/U51r-_yNXPI\/AAAAAAAAERw\/ZdNNk3wLc50\/s1600\/129-Hidalgo1b.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-cwyEn6B7lPk\/U51r-_yNXPI\/AAAAAAAAERw\/ZdNNk3wLc50\/s640\/129-Hidalgo1b.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe small town of Saint-Savin, 50 kilometres to the north of Bordeaux, formed the backdrop to one of the shortest and strangest chapters in the history of the FIFA football World Cup: the attempted kidnap of France’s team coach Michel Hidalgo. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe year is 1978 and, for the first time since 1966, France’s national squad have qualified for the World Cup finals. The tournament is to be held in Argentina which two years previously suffered a military coup, when \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Isabel_Mart%C3%ADnez_de_Per%C3%B3n\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIsabel Perón\u003C\/a\u003E’s government was toppled. Argentine army senior commander \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jorge_Videla\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJorge Rafael Videla\u003C\/a\u003E has since installed a merciless dictatorial regime.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAhead of the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1978_FIFA_World_Cup\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efinals kicking off on June 1st\u003C\/a\u003E, there is much debate among qualified nations as to whether or not they should boycott the tournament. In the end, no teams pull out although there are notable individual cases such as that of Dutch star Johan Cruyff, whose absence is widely believed to be politically motivated. (But it is much later revealed that his non-appearance is because he is reluctant to leave his family alone after \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/2008\/apr\/16\/newsstory.sport15\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea kidnap attempt during which he and his family were threatened with a rifle\u003C\/a\u003E.) \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-DPs-JytuzQI\/U51sGb-rTCI\/AAAAAAAAER4\/MJb4Ok-3v9o\/s1600\/129-Hidalgo2.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-DPs-JytuzQI\/U51sGb-rTCI\/AAAAAAAAER4\/MJb4Ok-3v9o\/s1600\/129-Hidalgo2.jpeg\" width=\"150\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EHidalgo in 1978, source: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/boutique.ina.fr\/video\/sport\/football\/I08116174\/michel-hidalgo-selectionneur-de-l-equipe-de-france.fr.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EINA\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EIt was therefore in this uneasy context that, on Tuesday May 23rd, Michel Hidalgo left his home in Saint-Savin, heading for Bordeaux where he was to catch a train to Paris. From there the 22-man French squad and its entourage were to board an Air France Concorde bound for Buenos Aires with a stopover in Dakar, Senegal. Michel Hidalgo, accompanied by his wife, Monique, had just set off and the couple were driving along a quiet stretch of country road south of Saint-Savin (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sudouest.fr\/2020\/03\/26\/le-23-mai-1978-michel-hidalgo-est-victime-d-une-tentative-d-enlevement-7365089-5022.php?fbclid=IwAR2yHZpiz-sNIy4OsBHdahTd8OgEoCL6mF0L3XLHt3fTObHMUja_JXXKG6c\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Econtemporary reports mention it was in the \"Les Coureaux\" district of Cézac\u003C\/a\u003E) when a car pulled up and forced them to stop. Out jumped two strangers, who threatened the Hidalgos with a weapon and ordered Michel to get out of the car. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn a TV news report broadcast that night, Hidalgo recounted: “[One of the two strangers] pointed a gun at me and ordered me to go with him into the small wood 50 metres away. Meanwhile the other person took my place in the driver’s seat of my car next to my wife. But I made a move once we had walked 15 or 20 metres, because I could feel the barrel of the gun in my back and I sensed I didn’t have long to live. My reflex was to turn and grab the barrel of the revolver, which fell to the ground. I managed to grab it first, at which point he ran away. The two strangers got back into their car and fled.” Only a few words had been exchanged throughout the ordeal: Hidalgo had asked what they wanted of him and the only response had been “\u003Ci\u003EOn va faire un tour dans le bois\u003C\/i\u003E” (“I’m taking you for a walk in the woods”).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EINA archive video - TF1 news report including interview with Michel Hidalgo:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" height=\"259\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"http:\/\/player.ina.fr\/player\/embed\/CAA7801080201\/1\/1b0bd203fbcd702f9bc9b10ac3d0fc21\/460\/259\" width=\"460\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ina.fr\/video\/CAA7801080201\/index-video.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003EClick here if video does not display properly on your device.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHidalgo headed straight to the nearest police station and lodged an official complaint. The police examined the gun and noted it wasn’t loaded. The football coach was understandably shaken though and considered throwing in the towel: “In these circumstances you wonder what sport has got to do with it all. I especially thought about my family and decided there was no point in going [to Argentina].” However, he quickly overcame this initial reaction and “sport won out. I’ll soon be back with the players and we need to pursue our pacifistic actions that bring people together rather than driving them apart”.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-YhqwK1txQ8M\/U51sa5f-JUI\/AAAAAAAAESA\/PyQQnn3aCKQ\/s1600\/129-Hidalgo3.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-YhqwK1txQ8M\/U51sa5f-JUI\/AAAAAAAAESA\/PyQQnn3aCKQ\/s1600\/129-Hidalgo3.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe kind of scene where the attempted kidnap took place, on the D18 road out of Saint-Savin, although information uncovered since my visit would suggest the attempted kidnap took place further south in the Les Coureaux districe of Cézac, so in all likelihood on the D737 road. \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EA few hours after the attempted kidnap, an anonymous caller claimed the operation was aimed at “drawing attention to the hypocritical complicity of France, which supplies Argentina with military equipment” (“\u003Ci\u003Epour attirer l’attention sur l’hypocrite complicité de la France qui fournit du matériel militaire à l’Argentine\u003C\/i\u003E”). If that was indeed the objective, then the objective had arguably been reached, as the incident was front-page news throughout the country. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is unclear whether charges were ever pressed against anyone. It rather looks as if the case was dropped with on-the-pitch action taking precedence. But France’s World Cup campaign was short-lived: they were knocked out at the group stage after defeats to Italy and eventual winners Argentina. France went out on a minor high though, beating Hungary 3-1 in a match best-remembered for the unusual green and white stripes the French wore – there had been a mix-up and both teams had turned up at the stadium with white shirts. France had to requisition a local team’s strip!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TenZGbzGvLs\/U51tR7oo4AI\/AAAAAAAAESM\/qRF9ID4XupM\/s1600\/129-Hidalgo4b.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TenZGbzGvLs\/U51tR7oo4AI\/AAAAAAAAESM\/qRF9ID4XupM\/s1600\/129-Hidalgo4b.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EFrance's promising 1978 squad (source: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thevintagefootballclub.blogspot.fr\/2010\/05\/france-1978-les-22-pour-largentine.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVintage Football Club\u003C\/a\u003E) and the team's infamous green and white striped shirts versus Hungary! (source: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.poteaux-carres.com\/article-C9520060603001949.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPoteaux Carrés\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EMeanwhile, Hidalgo was slowly laying the foundations of a fine team which went on to be \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Match_de_football_France_%E2%80%93_RFA_%281982%29\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esemi-finalists\u003C\/a\u003E at the 1982 World Cup in Spain ahead of winning the European Championship \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Championnat_d%27Europe_de_football_1984\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eon home soil\u003C\/a\u003E two years later.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-iKdk0HHF3IU\/U51t4x3c0HI\/AAAAAAAAESU\/W0o2rNHbEOY\/s1600\/129-Hidalgo5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-iKdk0HHF3IU\/U51t4x3c0HI\/AAAAAAAAESU\/W0o2rNHbEOY\/s1600\/129-Hidalgo5.jpg\" width=\"100\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EA later shot of Hidalgo \u003Cbr \/\u003E(source: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.francesoir.fr\/sport\/football\/hidalgo-est-en-train-tout-detruire-99139.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFrance Soir\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EAfter that 1984 triumph, Hidalgo left his position with the French team, taking on managerial duties at Olympique Marseille and then becoming a radio pundit and after-dinner speaker. He also simultaneously left his home in Saint-Savin; it reportedly took a number of years to find a buyer for the centrally-located luxurious house which came complete with swimming pool and tennis court! Until his death in 2020 aged 87, Hidalgo went on to lead the quiet life of an illustrious retiree in Marseille…\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; Find it \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;ll=45.143426,-0.432758\u0026amp;spn=0.036081,0.084543\u0026amp;t=h\u0026amp;z=14\u0026amp;vpsrc=6\u0026amp;iwloc=0004fbdd3593863362893\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eon the Invisible Bordeaux map: Saint-Savin and the Hidalgo kidnap plot\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; The definitive account of this incident can be found on the ever-excellent So Foot, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sofoot.com\/faites-entrer-laccuse-lenlevement-de-michel-hidalgo-169823.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/713785104102761603\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/saint-savins-road-to-argentina-1978-and.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/713785104102761603"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/713785104102761603"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/saint-savins-road-to-argentina-1978-and.html","title":"Saint-Savin's road to Argentina 1978 and the attempted kidnap of Michel Hidalgo"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-cwyEn6B7lPk\/U51r-_yNXPI\/AAAAAAAAERw\/ZdNNk3wLc50\/s72-c\/129-Hidalgo1b.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-420926060838284222"},"published":{"$t":"2014-05-10T10:00:00.000+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-05-11T10:20:19.587+02:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cinema"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Disability"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Museum"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Shopping"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stadium"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Theatre"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Accessible Bordeaux: how wheelchair-friendly is the city?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9FfIRQLntHk\/U2lAwsqSmTI\/AAAAAAAAEM0\/JQyPEL4sALE\/s1600\/125-Accessible1a.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9FfIRQLntHk\/U2lAwsqSmTI\/AAAAAAAAEM0\/JQyPEL4sALE\/s1600\/125-Accessible1a.JPG\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMeet Jérôme Mabon, creator of the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ecritiquesblog.wordpress.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EÉtats Critiques\u003C\/a\u003E movie review blog and occasional contributor to Bordeaux cultural webzine \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.happen.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHappe:n\u003C\/a\u003E. Jérôme also happens to be physically disabled and kindly agreed to provide me with a personal guided tour of Bordeaux as viewed through the eyes of a wheelchair user. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe arranged to meet up at one of Jérôme’s favourite (and accessible) bars, the legendary Chez Auguste on Place de la Victoire, where we discussed Bordeaux’s ranking in the annual “\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/presse.blogs.apf.asso.fr\/media\/01\/01\/1824062542.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBaromètre de l’Accessibilité\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E” as drawn up by the Association des Paralysés de France. The city currently lies 13th in the table which is topped by Grenoble, Nantes and Caen: “Bordeaux has its shortcomings and there is definite room for improvement, but I do think that position is a bit harsh. On the whole, I’m satisfied by what has been done in the city.”\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe make our way towards the nearby tram stop. “The tram network is a  godsend for disabled people, enabling us to get around Bordeaux. As the  stations and their immediate surroundings have been designed with  wheelchair users in mind, these are also among the most accessible areas  in the city.” However, I soon gather that boarding the tram is far from  simple, especially at this busy time (it’s 10:30 in the morning). As  Jérôme enters the tram, the doors close on him, almost leaving me  stranded on the platform. Luckily the doors re-open and we can continue  our journey both unharmed and together. With people all around,  alighting at the next stop is also a challenge: Jérôme has to reverse  off the tram with little or no view of what is behind him. He makes it  out but it all seems very hair-raising. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dHzzzoAxYdQ\/U2lA-qAJdxI\/AAAAAAAAEM8\/rgms6H8Ya4o\/s1600\/125-Accessible2a.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dHzzzoAxYdQ\/U2lA-qAJdxI\/AAAAAAAAEM8\/rgms6H8Ya4o\/s1600\/125-Accessible2a.JPG\" height=\"400\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EHowever Jérôme prefers this to catching a bus: “Buses are far less comfortable and drivers are not always fully aware of how to use the hydraulic access ramp system. There is an additional taxi-like service known as “\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.mobibus.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMobibus\u003C\/a\u003E” for disabled people to get around the city with their travel pass. But I never use it because it’s always fully-booked! I remain loyal to the tram network, and all the more so since the introduction of new trams where there is more space for wheelchair users and the buttons to open the doors have been lowered, making them easier to reach.”\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EHe has brought me to the Musée d’Aquitaine to show me an initiative which is full of good intentions but poorly executed: the disabled access via a side entrance. There he points out the wheelchair lift, which is nothing more than a metallic platform which sits precariously to the side of some steps. It looks a bit scary, and Jérôme, clearly speaking from experience, eloquently describes it as “\u003Ci\u003Ecasse-gueule\u003C\/i\u003E”. Later in our stroll we will compare the system with a far more reassuring set-up at the Grand-Théâtre, where the wheelchair elevator is enclosed by glass panels.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-9-dfwxJFwL4\/U2lBVQ0tbvI\/AAAAAAAAENE\/hs6sOHRS9cc\/s1600\/125-Accessible3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-9-dfwxJFwL4\/U2lBVQ0tbvI\/AAAAAAAAENE\/hs6sOHRS9cc\/s1600\/125-Accessible3.jpg\" height=\"180\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWheelchair access at the Musée d'Aquitaine and the Grand-Théâtre.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EWe carry on towards Place Pey-Berland, where Jérôme makes good headway: “Generally speaking, it is easy to get around the main streets of the city. The pavements are wide enough for us and are lowered ahead of pedestrian crossings. In some places, near Esplanade des Quinconces for instance, the crossings themselves have been raised to pavement level.” As we make our way into the pedestrianised shopping streets, Jérôme shows me a side street which is typical of the kind which causes problems: “Note the narrow pavements and numerous obstacles which mean we sometimes end up on the street itself alongside cars.”\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tqY4c5Trki4\/U2lBj1BGSkI\/AAAAAAAAENM\/Ydl4uYEv9ck\/s1600\/125-Accessible4.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tqY4c5Trki4\/U2lBj1BGSkI\/AAAAAAAAENM\/Ydl4uYEv9ck\/s1600\/125-Accessible4.jpg\" height=\"370\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ELeft: a wide, wheelchair-friendly pavement; top right: a raised pedestrian crossing; \u003Cbr \/\u003Ebottom right: an obstacle-strewn city centre street like this is not good news for Jérôme.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIt soon becomes clear that in Bordeaux, as in any city, the basics of wheelchair accessibility revolve around being able to get up and down steps. Jérôme shows me shops which are out-of-bounds for him because of the single step in their doorway. Others have a low step that can be overcome fairly easily. We head towards Place du Parlement and independent bookshop \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.lamachinealire.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELa Machine à Lire\u003C\/a\u003E, where efforts have been made to welcome disabled customers. A ramp has been laid on top of the steps and Jérôme whizzes up and into the shop… where it is somewhat difficult to navigate through the narrow aisles. At one stage Jérôme has to manoeuvre and sends a few books flying. However, all credit to the shop, where one attendant was quick to welcome Jérôme with a promise of help if needed. However, when leaving the store, Jérôme drives on to the steep ramp at a slight angle which gets me worried he might topple off the edge before he reaches the bottom. Again, he makes it.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vqsbXITDOSY\/U2lB3-xW4CI\/AAAAAAAAENU\/Jyt7iOPzxOU\/s1600\/125-Accessible5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vqsbXITDOSY\/U2lB3-xW4CI\/AAAAAAAAENU\/Jyt7iOPzxOU\/s1600\/125-Accessible5.jpg\" height=\"370\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ETop left: one step too many; bottom left: this low step can be overcome; right: using the La Machine à Lire ramp.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EWe talk about the city’s cultural venues, and Jérôme is full of praise: “The modern cinema complexes like Gaumont and Le Français are particularly accessible. The UGC is hit and miss with some screens out-of-bounds, while the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2012\/01\/utopia-saint-simeon-tortured-saints.html\"\u003EUtopia cinema\u003C\/a\u003E has done a great deal to be able to accommodate wheelchairs. Concert venues put lot of effort into making us welcome. At Rock School Barbey we have our own raised viewing platform, and at the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2012\/06\/krakatoa-community-hall-rock-venue.html\"\u003EKrakatoa\u003C\/a\u003E they install one upon request either near the stage or towards the back of the venue – we often end up with a better view than most of the punters!” \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EBut Jérôme is not so enamoured with the facilities at the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2013\/02\/stade-chaban-delmas-nearing-end-of-its.html\"\u003EStade Chaban-Delmas\u003C\/a\u003E football and rugby ground: “The main problem with the disabled area is that it is not under cover, so there is nowhere to shelter when it rains.” He has heard that the situation should be different in the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/03\/an-update-on-stade-bordeaux-atlantique.html\"\u003Enew football stadium\u003C\/a\u003E…\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EMoving on to Rue Sainte-Catherine, the street is already busy with Saturday shoppers. I ask Jérôme whether he has ever been involved in any unfortunate collisions. There have been a few minor brushes with strangers but he tells me that smartphones are the most dangerous factor to deal with, as people wander around “with their noses glued to their screens” instead of watching where they’re going. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIn a way though, I am pleasingly reassured by how people fail to “notice” Jérôme in Bordeaux. Other than a couple of people staring at him and his electric wheelchair at the tram stop, he is as much a part of the landscape as any able-bodied person. However, Jérôme confides that when he is with an able-bodied travelling companion and the pair ask for directions, people tend to direct their responses at his friend rather than him. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OkSqlSfEbQw\/U2lCIvWEguI\/AAAAAAAAENc\/ttKU9_8HpkA\/s1600\/125-Accessible6.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OkSqlSfEbQw\/U2lCIvWEguI\/AAAAAAAAENc\/ttKU9_8HpkA\/s1600\/125-Accessible6.JPG\" height=\"390\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOur tour finishes up on the waterfront, Jérôme’s favourite part of the  city: “I love it here when it’s sunny. The surface is perfect for  wheelchairs, there’s plenty of space and the scenery is beautiful.” So  much so that Jérôme sometimes even completes a full riverbank loop, by  crossing first the Chaban-Delmas bridge, meandering along the right bank  of the Garonne, and crossing back over the Pont de Pierre. “It’s an  absolute delight and the pedestrian access to the new bridge is  fantastic.” \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe clearly have a satisfied customer. After all, Jérôme moved to Bordeaux from his native Brittany in 2005, so the city must be doing something right if he’s still here after nine years. But does he have a wish-list of things that could be done to make things better? The “step” issue returns: “Bars, restaurants and other buildings with steps should be obliged to have a ramp, even if it’s not a permanent measure. And it would be great to have more tramway stations to be able to get out and about to more places!”\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIn Bordeaux, as elsewhere, accessibility is naturally a priority and there is constant room for improvement. But judging by the evidence, the city isn’t doing too badly and, on the basis of Jérôme’s experience, its main streets are very much conducive to disabled people leading contented lives.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-awap2UDL-14\/U2lCTOOo_aI\/AAAAAAAAENk\/ATGi3P3ANfI\/s1600\/125-Accessible7.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-awap2UDL-14\/U2lCTOOo_aI\/AAAAAAAAENk\/ATGi3P3ANfI\/s1600\/125-Accessible7.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThanks Jérôme!\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/420926060838284222\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/05\/accessible-bordeaux-how-wheelchair.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/420926060838284222"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/420926060838284222"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/05\/accessible-bordeaux-how-wheelchair.html","title":"Accessible Bordeaux: how wheelchair-friendly is the city?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9FfIRQLntHk\/U2lAwsqSmTI\/AAAAAAAAEM0\/JQyPEL4sALE\/s72-c\/125-Accessible1a.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-2663755333084394724"},"published":{"$t":"2014-03-22T08:12:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-03-22T08:26:31.946+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Girondins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Infrastructure"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stadium"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"An update on Stade Bordeaux Atlantique, the next big sporting arena"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vXJ49htv4PM\/Ux91CowUpxI\/AAAAAAAAEFQ\/DtstLioJESs\/s1600\/119-Stade2-1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vXJ49htv4PM\/Ux91CowUpxI\/AAAAAAAAEFQ\/DtstLioJESs\/s1600\/119-Stade2-1.JPG\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EShortly after launching this website I headed over to the Lac district of Bordeaux to get an idea of where the city would be building its new 43,000-seater arena, set to form the backdrop to the endeavours of footballers, rugby players and international music stars in the years to come. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2012\/02\/stade-bordeaux-atlantique-next-big.html\"\u003EAt the time\u003C\/a\u003E it took a great deal of imagination to picture a stadium rising above the trees but now, a little over a year ahead of delivery, the skyline has indeed changed beyond recognition. \u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EHere then is the view as it was back in early 2012, and a photo taken from more or less the same spot a few weeks ago: \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-6TNoqixofNU\/Ux91J0ChdZI\/AAAAAAAAEFY\/-wMPJfmYzaE\/s1600\/119-Stade2-2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-6TNoqixofNU\/Ux91J0ChdZI\/AAAAAAAAEFY\/-wMPJfmYzaE\/s1600\/119-Stade2-2.jpg\" height=\"640\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPlans for a new stadium in Bordeaux had been milling around for a number of years. Firstly, football club Les Girondins de Bordeaux currently reside at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2013\/02\/stade-chaban-delmas-nearing-end-of-its.html\"\u003EStade Chaban-Delmas\u003C\/a\u003E in central Bordeaux, a stadium which has been in operation since 1938 and which is showing its age in these modern times. Then, when in 2010 France was chosen to host the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.uefa.com\/uefaeuro-finals\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E2016 European football championships\u003C\/a\u003E, one certainty was that if the city of Bordeaux was to play ball, the new stadium project would have to make the transition from the drawing board to the real world.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ad-TtQ-___M\/Ux91T_1pcZI\/AAAAAAAAEFg\/espuqRS4Hlc\/s1600\/119-Stade2-5.JPG\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ad-TtQ-___M\/Ux91T_1pcZI\/AAAAAAAAEFg\/espuqRS4Hlc\/s1600\/119-Stade2-5.JPG\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EMid 2013: parts of the concrete \u003Cbr \/\u003Estands before they were put in position!\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EIn 2011 it was announced that the construction of the new stadium had been entrusted to a consortium formed by the building companies Vinci (also behind construction of what became the Chaban-Delmas lift bridge) and Fayat. The accompanying design was the work of prolific Swiss architects Jacques Herzof and Pierre de Meuron, the people behind the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allianz-arena.de\/de\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAllianz Arena\u003C\/a\u003E in Munich, Germany and the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.n-s.cn\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E“Bird’s Nest” Olympic stadium\u003C\/a\u003E in Beijing, China. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe stadium, currently known as Stade Bordeaux Atlantique (although most simply refer to “\u003Ci\u003Ele Grand Stade\u003C\/i\u003E”) but likely to be re-named as part of a sponsorship deal, will principally be dedicated to football as it will be the new permanent home of the Girondins. It will also host occasional concerts and rugby matches (although local Top 14 team Union Bordeaux-Bègles look set to become the permanent residents of Chaban-Delmas stadium), as well as offering seminar and conference facilities. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGetting to the stadium should be relatively straightforward: extension work on line C of the tram network is nearing completion, the \u003Ci\u003ERocade \u003C\/i\u003Ering-road is within easy reach… and even cyclists will be well catered-for with dedicated paths and ample bike-parking facilities. Meanwhile, cars will park on the nearby exhibition centre car park, which has been totally covered with solar panels. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-CgpXPMv_r3E\/Ux91h9qbOVI\/AAAAAAAAEFo\/2_aXWDM8ST4\/s1600\/119-Stade2-3.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-CgpXPMv_r3E\/Ux91h9qbOVI\/AAAAAAAAEFo\/2_aXWDM8ST4\/s1600\/119-Stade2-3.JPG\" height=\"406\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe eastern wing of the stadium.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-h17TOp6ou3o\/Ux91pUHd1-I\/AAAAAAAAEFw\/-YeCkXPZHHY\/s1600\/119-Stade2-4.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-h17TOp6ou3o\/Ux91pUHd1-I\/AAAAAAAAEFw\/-YeCkXPZHHY\/s1600\/119-Stade2-4.JPG\" height=\"406\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWork in progress, behind panels giving a sense of the atmosphere we can soon expect to experience inside.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EThe estimated overall cost of the stadium project is €170 million, funded by the French State (€28m), the city of Bordeaux (€17m), the greater Bordeaux authority (€15m), the Aquitaine regional council (€15m) and the Girondins along with their owners M6 (an initial outlay of €20m followed by an annual rent of around €4m paid over 30 years and topped up by the city of Bordeaux). Presumably, unlike here, the maths do add up in the official public\/private partnership paperwork!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe stadium itself is described in architect-speak as being “highly elegant, presenting itself as a prism encasing two pyramids formed by steps and the underside of the stands. The whole structure is supported by a dense forest of slim pillars”, as is clearly visible in the artist's impressions of the end-product below: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-R-jihtnFVvc\/Tx8bSoILrII\/AAAAAAAAARc\/Z2pScARBfoI\/s1600\/017-NewStadium4.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-R-jihtnFVvc\/Tx8bSoILrII\/AAAAAAAAARc\/Z2pScARBfoI\/s400\/017-NewStadium4.jpg\" height=\"228\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-GR5poTrIIQA\/Tx8bTwj1-NI\/AAAAAAAAARk\/pCH3S4ke6mQ\/s1600\/017-NewStadium5.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-GR5poTrIIQA\/Tx8bTwj1-NI\/AAAAAAAAARk\/pCH3S4ke6mQ\/s400\/017-NewStadium5.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XXNArCO4xCE\/Tx8bVMTPvxI\/AAAAAAAAARs\/dVhcNLG8_s0\/s1600\/017-NewStadium6.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XXNArCO4xCE\/Tx8bVMTPvxI\/AAAAAAAAARs\/dVhcNLG8_s0\/s400\/017-NewStadium6.jpg\" height=\"227\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2012\/02\/stade-bordeaux-atlantique-next-big.html\"\u003EWriting in 2012\u003C\/a\u003E, I joked that the only slim pillar-like objects in the vicinity were the streetlights on the neighbouring roundabout, but since building work began in April 2013 (after six months of preliminary groundwork) the progress has been astounding and the pillars are indeed in position, as are the stands, the windows of some of the corporate hospitality suites and, most recently, sections of the roof. As shown in the third artist's impression above, spectators should have a fine, unobstructed view of the sporting action taking place on the pitch, described as “\u003Ci\u003Eà l’anglaise\u003C\/i\u003E”, i.e. with no athletics track around it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAlthough the site is, understandably, not generally accessible to the public, a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nouveau-stade-bordeaux.com\/visiter\/1042-grand-public.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Evisitor centre is open every weekend\u003C\/a\u003E and pre-planned \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nouveau-stade-bordeaux.com\/visiter\/1044-groupes.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecorporate\/school group visits are organised every Friday\u003C\/a\u003E. An all-comers open day may be organised sometime this spring, and it is thought that the stadium will be among this year's heritage days visits.\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe 2014-2015 football season will be the Girondins’ last at Chaban-Delmas stadium. Much as I’ll miss going to games at Chaban-Delmas, I’m very much looking forward to taking in the atmosphere at the new stadium! In the meantime, this Sud Ouest clip shows how it currently looks: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cobject classid=\"clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http:\/\/download.macromedia.com\/pub\/shockwave\/cabs\/flash\/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0\" height=\"363\" id=\"flashObj\" width=\"610\"\u003E\u003Cparam name=\"movie\" value=\"http:\/\/c.brightcove.com\/services\/viewer\/federated_f9?isVid=1\u0026isUI=1\" \/\u003E\u003Cparam name=\"bgcolor\" value=\"#FFFFFF\" \/\u003E\u003Cparam name=\"flashVars\" value=\"videoId=3352319281001\u0026playerID=1272681520001\u0026playerKey=AQ~~,AAABJqdXick~,GBv5UUMEyNcCyIaDyjNeEj1bfqFo21Ha\u0026domain=embed\u0026dynamicStreaming=true\" \/\u003E\u003Cparam name=\"base\" value=\"http:\/\/admin.brightcove.com\" \/\u003E\u003Cparam name=\"seamlesstabbing\" value=\"false\" \/\u003E\u003Cparam name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" \/\u003E\u003Cparam name=\"swLiveConnect\" value=\"true\" \/\u003E\u003Cparam name=\"allowScriptAccess\" value=\"always\" \/\u003E\u003Cembed src=\"http:\/\/c.brightcove.com\/services\/viewer\/federated_f9?isVid=1\u0026isUI=1\" bgcolor=\"#FFFFFF\" flashVars=\"videoId=3352319281001\u0026playerID=1272681520001\u0026playerKey=AQ~~,AAABJqdXick~,GBv5UUMEyNcCyIaDyjNeEj1bfqFo21Ha\u0026domain=embed\u0026dynamicStreaming=true\" base=\"http:\/\/admin.brightcove.com\" name=\"flashObj\" width=\"600\" height=\"358\" seamlesstabbing=\"false\" type=\"application\/x-shockwave-flash\" allowFullScreen=\"true\" allowScriptAccess=\"always\" swLiveConnect=\"true\" pluginspage=\"http:\/\/www.macromedia.com\/shockwave\/download\/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash\"\u003E\u003C\/embed\u003E\u003C\/object\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sudouest.fr\/2014\/03\/20\/bordeaux-lac-deja-3-000-visiteurs-du-futur-stage-1497972-4812.php\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003EClick here if video does not display properly on your device.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFind it: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;ll=44.907077,-0.568542\u0026amp;spn=0.066018,0.154324\u0026amp;t=h\u0026amp;z=13\u0026amp;vpsrc=6\u0026amp;iwloc=0004b789307c02568e38c\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAvenue de la Jallere, Bordeaux\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDedicated website: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nouveau-stade-bordeaux.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewww.nouveau-stade-bordeaux.com\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.teranovela.com\/360\/33000-Stade-de-Bordeaux\/nouveau-stade-de-Bordeaux-vue-centrale.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInteractive 360° pitch-level view \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EArtist's impressions credited to Herzog\/De Meuron \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2663755333084394724\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/03\/an-update-on-stade-bordeaux-atlantique.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/2663755333084394724"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/2663755333084394724"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2014\/03\/an-update-on-stade-bordeaux-atlantique.html","title":"An update on Stade Bordeaux Atlantique, the next big sporting arena"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vXJ49htv4PM\/Ux91CowUpxI\/AAAAAAAAEFQ\/DtstLioJESs\/s72-c\/119-Stade2-1.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-2757506044169741941"},"published":{"$t":"2013-04-20T12:30:00.000+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-02-21T21:07:12.070+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Architecture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Concert venue"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"History"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mériadeck"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Mériadeck: this used to be the vision of the future inner-city"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VuNNptwYovg\/UWxcGoVS7MI\/AAAAAAAAC8c\/2gcRpO2vKGU\/s1600\/077-Meriadeck01.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"556\" data-original-width=\"700\" height=\"508\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VuNNptwYovg\/UWxcGoVS7MI\/AAAAAAAAC8c\/2gcRpO2vKGU\/s640\/077-Meriadeck01.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe concrete-and-glass development to be found in the central Bordeaux district of Mériadeck is far-removed from the city’s more traditional image of picturesque squares and harmonious façades. This large-scale urban high-rise jungle, which has always struggled to gain acceptance from the people of Bordeaux, began to evolve into its present shape in the 1960s. Its complex story began many years before that though…\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C!--[if gte mso 9]\u003E\u003Cxml\u003E \u003Co:OfficeDocumentSettings\u003E  \u003Co:RelyOnVML\/\u003E  \u003Co:AllowPNG\/\u003E \u003C\/o:OfficeDocumentSettings\u003E\u003C\/xml\u003E\u003C![endif]--\u003E\u003C!--[if gte mso 9]\u003E\u003Cxml\u003E \u003Cw:WordDocument\u003E  \u003Cw:View\u003ENormal\u003C\/w:View\u003E  \u003Cw:Zoom\u003E0\u003C\/w:Zoom\u003E  \u003Cw:TrackMoves\/\u003E  \u003Cw:TrackFormatting\/\u003E  \u003Cw:HyphenationZone\u003E21\u003C\/w:HyphenationZone\u003E  \u003Cw:PunctuationKerning\/\u003E  \u003Cw:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/\u003E  \u003Cw:SaveIfXMLInvalid\u003Efalse\u003C\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid\u003E  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Title\"\/\u003E  \u003Cw:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"37\" Name=\"Bibliography\"\/\u003E  \u003Cw:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"TOC Heading\"\/\u003E \u003C\/w:LatentStyles\u003E\u003C\/xml\u003E\u003C![endif]--\u003E\u003C!--[if gte mso 10]\u003E\u003Cstyle\u003E \/* Style Definitions *\/  table.MsoNormalTable  {mso-style-name:\"Tableau Normal\";  mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;  mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;  mso-style-noshow:yes;  mso-style-priority:99;  mso-style-parent:\"\";  mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;  mso-para-margin-top:0cm;  mso-para-margin-right:0cm;  mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;  mso-para-margin-left:0cm;  line-height:115%;  mso-pagination:widow-orphan;  font-size:11.0pt;  font-family:\"Calibri\",\"sans-serif\";  mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;  mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;  mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;  mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;  mso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\";  mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;  mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} \u003C\/style\u003E\u003C![endif]--\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003EThis area, located just a few hundred metres to the west of Cathédrale Saint-André, was initially wetland which the city strived to drain to avoid epidemics in the 17th century. A monastery for the Chartreux community of monks was built there (where the Chartreuse cemetery, created in 1791, can be seen today) but was soon destroyed and the inhospitable marshland took hold once again.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003EWhen Monseigneur Ferdinand Maximilien de Mériadec de Rohan became Archbishop of Bordeaux in 1769, he acquired the land with a view to selling it on in individual plots and thus fund the construction of his new residence, which is now known as \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Palais_Rohan_%28Bordeaux%29\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPalais Rohan\u003C\/a\u003E and is the modern-day city hall. The architects responsible for the Palais also conceived the new district but the poorly conceived and ill-sanitised plots proved difficult to sell.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003EThe operation ran from 1772 until the first half of the 19th century, eventually resulting in a neighbourhood of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2012\/03\/echoppes-bordelaises-low-rise-fixture.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003Eéchoppes\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and one-storey houses. The focal point of the new district (an aerial view of which can be seen \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/meriadeck.free.fr\/Meriadeck\/Histoire_du_quartier_files\/Photo%20ae%CC%81rienne%20du%20quartier%20Me%CC%81riadeck.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E) was a square, Place Mériadeck, named after the Archbishop (with a bonus “k” added to the name). Gradually, the name came to designate the district as a whole, which became home to many of the poorest members of the Bordeaux working class.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9G31jy6h7qE\/UWxcNQRi-ZI\/AAAAAAAAC9E\/NAfqWHzz14M\/s1600\/077-MeriadeckOld.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9G31jy6h7qE\/UWxcNQRi-ZI\/AAAAAAAAC9E\/NAfqWHzz14M\/s640\/077-MeriadeckOld.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EMériadeck as it was. Left: Place Mériadeck. Right: view from a \u003Cbr \/\u003ERue du Château d'Eau street corner. Source: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/meriadeck.free.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emeriadeck.free.fr\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C!--[if gte mso 9]\u003E\u003Cxml\u003E \u003Co:OfficeDocumentSettings\u003E  \u003Co:RelyOnVML\/\u003E  \u003Co:AllowPNG\/\u003E \u003C\/o:OfficeDocumentSettings\u003E\u003C\/xml\u003E\u003C![endif]--\u003E\u003C!--[if gte mso 9]\u003E\u003Cxml\u003E \u003Cw:WordDocument\u003E  \u003Cw:View\u003ENormal\u003C\/w:View\u003E  \u003Cw:Zoom\u003E0\u003C\/w:Zoom\u003E  \u003Cw:TrackMoves\/\u003E  \u003Cw:TrackFormatting\/\u003E  \u003Cw:HyphenationZone\u003E21\u003C\/w:HyphenationZone\u003E  \u003Cw:PunctuationKerning\/\u003E  \u003Cw:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/\u003E  \u003Cw:SaveIfXMLInvalid\u003Efalse\u003C\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid\u003E  \u003Cw:IgnoreMixedContent\u003Efalse\u003C\/w:IgnoreMixedContent\u003E  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Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"TOC Heading\"\/\u003E \u003C\/w:LatentStyles\u003E\u003C\/xml\u003E\u003C![endif]--\u003E\u003C!--[if gte mso 10]\u003E\u003Cstyle\u003E \/* Style Definitions *\/  table.MsoNormalTable  {mso-style-name:\"Tableau Normal\";  mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;  mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;  mso-style-noshow:yes;  mso-style-priority:99;  mso-style-parent:\"\";  mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;  mso-para-margin-top:0cm;  mso-para-margin-right:0cm;  mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;  mso-para-margin-left:0cm;  line-height:115%;  mso-pagination:widow-orphan;  font-size:11.0pt;  font-family:\"Calibri\",\"sans-serif\";  mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;  mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;  mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;  mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;  mso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\";  mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;  mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} \u003C\/style\u003E\u003C![endif]--\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003EThough many cherished the picturesque streets of Mériadeck, its flea market and its village-like sense of camaraderie, the area went on to become (in)famous for its rough and seedier side, its risqué cabarets and its prostitutes. The city authorities paid little attention to what went on in the area, stopped maintaining the roads and private housing gradually fell into disrepair.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003ECome the 1950s, a housing shortage in Bordeaux was coupled with the realisation that the Mériadeck quarter had become a veritable slum. The then mayor, Jacques Chaban-Delmas, opted to gut the district completely. The initial plan, conceived by city architect Jean Royer, was for the creation of a fully-residential estate of high-rise apartment blocks around a central park that would form the natural continuation of the gardens behind the city hall. Of this initial project, just one building was delivered, the 1963 \u003Ci\u003ERésidence du Château d’Eau\u003C\/i\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003EThe demolition operation in the area continued to gain momentum and former residents were relocated to dormitory accommodation on the outskirts of  the city (the La Benauge, de Carriet, Claveau and Grand Parc estates). Most were never  to return...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-5Gdul07HJxE\/UWxcG0l94FI\/AAAAAAAAC8U\/m2_WlsB8S8c\/s1600\/077-Meriadeck02.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-5Gdul07HJxE\/UWxcG0l94FI\/AAAAAAAAC8U\/m2_WlsB8S8c\/s640\/077-Meriadeck02.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe  1963 \u003Ci\u003ERésidence du Château d'Eau\u003C\/i\u003E. To the right, the \u003Ci\u003ERésidence \u003C\/i\u003Eflanked by  other emblematic buildings: \u003Cbr \/\u003Ethe \u003Ci\u003ECaisse d'Épargne\u003C\/i\u003E offices (1977), the Mériadeck  shopping centre (1980) and (right) the central Post Office \u003Cbr \/\u003E(1971, renovated in  2000). \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAlso in 1963, Bordeaux was selected as one of the eight “\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/M%C3%A9tropole_d%27%C3%A9quilibre\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003Emétropoles d’équilibre\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E” to drive the economic and demographic growth of provincial France. Chaban-Delmas decided that the district should instead combine housing and offices, and in 1970 (by which time the postal services were already completing a new facility in the area) a new plan was delivered by Jean Royer with the support of fellow architects Paul Lagarde and Jean Willerval, the latter forwarding the notion that all subsequent buildings should be cross-shaped, a principle that was first adhered to before being abandoned. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe big difference this time was the application of the modernist “\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/meriadeck.free.fr\/Meriadeck\/Urbanisme_sur_dalle.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003Eurbanisme sur dalle\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E” philosophy, which used the principle of extensive raised concrete esplanades and walkways to segregate pedestrians and vehicles. The promenade to be positioned in line with the city hall gardens was now several metres above ground level. The raised, fully pedestrianised district took shape throughout the 1970s although ironically, for many years, the walkways were not actually accessible on foot from ground level. In order to reach them, the only solution was to drive to the area, park in one of the underground car parks and access them from there! \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RDvZhkA832A\/UWxcIqUFJPI\/AAAAAAAAC8k\/io4Xhr7h5Hk\/s1600\/077-Meriadeck04.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RDvZhkA832A\/UWxcIqUFJPI\/AAAAAAAAC8k\/io4Xhr7h5Hk\/s640\/077-Meriadeck04.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ECross-shaped offices and housing: the \u003Ci\u003ETour 2000 \u003C\/i\u003Eblock (1976) and \u003Ci\u003ELe Ponant\u003C\/i\u003E (1977), \u003Cbr \/\u003Ecomplete with the first steps up from ground level! \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EMériadeck was struggling to attract businesses though, with notable exceptions including the bank \u003Ci\u003ECaisse d’Épargne\u003C\/i\u003E, whose curious circular buildings (the 1977 work of Edmond Lay, Pierre Layré-Cassou and Pierre Dugravier, inspired by the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.guggenheim.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGuggenheim Museum\u003C\/a\u003E in New York) still stand out from the pack… and continue to do so even now that the bank’s staff have moved on to new offices down by the Garonne.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-925ZNDv3WMw\/UWxcHMh9ipI\/AAAAAAAAC8Q\/QE2H6HLMRPo\/s1600\/077-Meriadeck03.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"368\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-925ZNDv3WMw\/UWxcHMh9ipI\/AAAAAAAAC8Q\/QE2H6HLMRPo\/s640\/077-Meriadeck03.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe former \u003Ci\u003ECaisse d'Épargne\u003C\/i\u003E offices. \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EInstead, the quarter developed into a hotbed for administrative services: the offices of the Gironde \u003Ci\u003EPréfecture \u003C\/i\u003E(1977), the Greater Bordeaux authority (\u003Ci\u003ECommunauté Urbaine de Bordeaux\u003C\/i\u003E or CUB, now Bordeaux Métropole, 1979), the Aquitaine regional headquarters (1988) and the Gironde \u003Ci\u003EConseil Général\u003C\/i\u003E (1991). Mériadeck also became a place to stay when passing through with the addition of a number of hotels (currently trading as \u003Ci\u003EMercure\u003C\/i\u003E, 1975; \u003Ci\u003ENovotel\u003C\/i\u003E, 1987; \u003Ci\u003EIbis \u003C\/i\u003Eand \u003Ci\u003EIbis Styles\u003C\/i\u003E, 1989).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9-qUjYaS8Uo\/UWxcLeBA4gI\/AAAAAAAAC80\/mwFg2o8zmoc\/s1600\/077-Meriadeck05.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9-qUjYaS8Uo\/UWxcLeBA4gI\/AAAAAAAAC80\/mwFg2o8zmoc\/s640\/077-Meriadeck05.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EClockwise  from top left: out-of-order escalators between ground and esplanade  level; the Bordeaux Métropole building \u003Cbr \/\u003Eas reflected in the windows of the \u003Ci\u003EPréfecture\u003C\/i\u003E; the \u003Ci\u003EConseil Général\u003C\/i\u003E building; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDirection Solidarité Gironde Conseil  Général\u003C\/i\u003E; Mériadeck shopping centre. The bottom two photos\u003Cbr \/\u003Eillustrate the  split between street and esplanade levels. Note the vines \u003Cbr \/\u003Ethat run  between the tram lines bottom left.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIn March 1980, Mériadeck gained a whole new commercial dimension with the opening of a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.meriadeck.com\/W\/do\/centre\/accueil\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emajor shopping centre\u003C\/a\u003E, still today the second-largest inner-city shopping centre in France (43,000 square metres of shopping bliss, 11,500 square metres of which are a massive \u003Ci\u003EAuchan \u003C\/i\u003Ehypermarket). Leisure was also be added to the mix with the 1981 opening of a skating rink which, as well as catering for ice-related fun and frolics, has become established as the Bordeaux stop for arena-category rock concert tours (capacity ranges from 4,800 to 7,500). A 10-pin bowling alley followed in 1989. Finally, literature and culture would also find its home with the 1989 delivery of a purpose-built \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bibliothequebordeaux.wordpress.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emunicipal library\u003C\/a\u003E, the collections of which had previously been housed at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2011\/12\/cour-mably-peaceful-haven-with-rich.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECour Mably\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NZVsBwcrGII\/UWxcJyIB1GI\/AAAAAAAAC8s\/zjJZyoiZBqU\/s1600\/077-Meriadeck07.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NZVsBwcrGII\/UWxcJyIB1GI\/AAAAAAAAC8s\/zjJZyoiZBqU\/s640\/077-Meriadeck07.jpg\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ESkating rink and municipal library. \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThroughout, housing programmes continued although the original figure of some 1,400 apartments was downsized to 800; an estimated 1,300 people now call Mériadeck home. And the district continues to evolve. A 1979 building, \u003Ci\u003ELa Croix du Mail\u003C\/i\u003E, was judged to have aged badly and has been demolished, to be replaced in the coming years by the \u003Ci\u003ECité Municipale\u003C\/i\u003E, an annex to the city hall. Over time, the segregation between cars and pedestrians has also been revised with most of the more recent buildings being accessible from ground level. The 21st-century arrival of the tram network has also done much to make the area feel less isolated from the city centre. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EStill, this assignment proved to be a lonely and sobering experience. I was back in this area (not far from where I lived for a couple of years many moons ago) on a sunny Sunday afternoon and it was deserted. The district only really comes to life when the office clerks and executives are around, along with citizens in search of an elusive rubber stamp, item of paperwork or on a shopping trip to \u003Ci\u003EAuchan\u003C\/i\u003E. Even yesteryear’s skateboarding community seem to have abandoned the sector. Walking back past an empty water feature and across the main central esplanade, my only uninviting company was a small group of people drinking their sorrows away. I was headed back towards the spires and squares of\u0026nbsp; the city centre and its crowded café terraces…\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VwLpMlrhbrE\/UWxcL4A8-UI\/AAAAAAAAC88\/g59vnpSW3EI\/s1600\/077-Meriadeck08.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VwLpMlrhbrE\/UWxcL4A8-UI\/AAAAAAAAC88\/g59vnpSW3EI\/s640\/077-Meriadeck08.jpg\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qKhRjGhV8Nw\/UW5hit9pGEI\/AAAAAAAAC9U\/0PxJkYqPmmk\/s1600\/077-MeriadeckFree.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; Find it on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ll=44.84376,-0.578585\u0026amp;spn=0.017709,0.038581\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe Invisible Bordeaux map\u003C\/a\u003E: Mériadeck quarter, Bordeaux.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qKhRjGhV8Nw\/UW5hit9pGEI\/AAAAAAAAC9U\/0PxJkYqPmmk\/s1600\/077-MeriadeckFree.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"161\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qKhRjGhV8Nw\/UW5hit9pGEI\/AAAAAAAAC9U\/0PxJkYqPmmk\/s200\/077-MeriadeckFree.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; Much of the information in this piece was adapted from the most excellent \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/meriadeck.free.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emeriadeck.free.fr\u003C\/a\u003E website, which provides an authoritative overview of the history of the area, maps and detailed descriptions of all its buildings and architecture, and updates on ongoing developments. A big thank you to the man behind the website, Mathias, who kindly agreed to me using the archive photos of Mériadeck! Please regard this Invisible Bordeaux article as a trailer to the full feature which you will find on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/meriadeck.free.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emeriadeck.free.fr\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; Further information was culled from the chapter about Mériadeck in the a’urba book \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.fr\/ville-m%C3%A9tropole-ans-durbanisme-Bordeaux\/dp\/2360620355\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E“\u003Ci\u003EDe la ville à la métropole, 40 ans d’urbanisme à Bordeaux\u003C\/i\u003E”\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2757506044169741941\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2013\/04\/meriadeck-this-used-to-be-vision-of.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/2757506044169741941"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/2757506044169741941"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2013\/04\/meriadeck-this-used-to-be-vision-of.html","title":"Mériadeck: this used to be the vision of the future inner-city"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VuNNptwYovg\/UWxcGoVS7MI\/AAAAAAAAC8c\/2gcRpO2vKGU\/s72-c\/077-Meriadeck01.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-5395693117072768692"},"published":{"$t":"2013-02-08T18:55:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-10-31T08:19:26.767+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Art deco"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Girondins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Jacques D'Welles"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Stade Chaban-Delmas: nearing the end of this footballing life"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-sArYpOzDgWE\/UQbk81BufkI\/AAAAAAAACTA\/Y_uEbpKi608\/s1600\/067-ChabanDelmas1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-sArYpOzDgWE\/UQbk81BufkI\/AAAAAAAACTA\/Y_uEbpKi608\/s320\/067-ChabanDelmas1.JPG\" height=\"195\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003EStade Chaban-Delmas\u003C\/i\u003E is one of a dying breed: a top-flight sports stadium located in the heart of a city. For some time its future was uncertain, with Bordeaux shifting its focus to the Lac district where \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.fr\/2014\/03\/an-update-on-stade-bordeaux-atlantique.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStade Bordeaux-Atlantique\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E is set to take over as the city’s premium sports venue in time for the 2016 European football championships. But it has now been decided that local rugby team Union Bordeaux-Bègles are set to become the permanent residents of the ageing \u003Ci\u003EStade Chaban-Delmas\u003C\/i\u003E…\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe story of the sporting venue goes back just over 100 years to 1912 when much of the area was acquired by a limited company known as \u003Ci\u003ESociété Immobilière des Sports\u003C\/i\u003E. A few years further down the line, the then mayor of Bordeaux, Fernand Philippart, decreed that part of the land, which had previously belonged to the Johnston wine-trading dynasty (originally from Scotland), should be used for the construction of a privately-run sports complex. The architect Cyprien Alfred-Duprat delivered a 10,000-capacity stadium in 1924, featuring four stands, a football pitch, athletics track and cycle track. The venture was not financially viable though and in 1932 the facility was sold on to the city of Bordeaux. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn 1933, incoming mayor Adrien Marquet decided that a new, bigger stadium would be built as part of his ambitious “\u003Ci\u003EPlan Marquet\u003C\/i\u003E”, which aimed to develop new buildings that shared similar architectural styles. The projects also aimed to give the local economy a boost to cushion the impact of the 1929 recession. He called on architects Raoul Jourde and Jacques d’Welles, the latter also being responsible for the\u003Ci\u003E Bourse de l'Emploi\u003C\/i\u003E, near Place de la Victoire, and the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/bastide-bains-douches-catering-to-all.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBastide Bains-Douches\u003C\/i\u003E establishment which has already been covered on Invisible Bordeaux\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Sys1V2YLiQs\/UQblH_YYUgI\/AAAAAAAACTI\/2cd2ubBZiHQ\/s1600\/067-ChabanDelmas2B.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Sys1V2YLiQs\/UQblH_YYUgI\/AAAAAAAACTI\/2cd2ubBZiHQ\/s400\/067-ChabanDelmas2B.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EConstruction work in progress on the stands and the archway over the main entrance. \u003Cbr \/\u003EPhotos: Sud Ouest and Leoel; source: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bordeaux2030.fr\/Appel-idee-parc-lescure\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebordeaux2030.fr\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EThe result was \u003Ci\u003EParc Lescure\u003C\/i\u003E (originally \u003Ci\u003EStade Municipal de Bordeaux\u003C\/i\u003E) which, upon completion, was one of the biggest (capacity of 26,000) and most innovative sports stadiums in Europe. For the first time ever, all stands were under cover and yet no pillars obscured the spectators’ view of what was happening on the pitch… or indeed on the cycle track: until 1984, \u003Ci\u003EParc Lescure\u003C\/i\u003E was a velodrome that put on a great number of cycling events including the arrival of many stages of the \u003Ci\u003ETour de France\u003C\/i\u003E (the last such occasion being in 1979, when a team time trial stage finished in Bordeaux; the final team on the track were \u003Ci\u003ERenault-Gitane\u003C\/i\u003E, led by that year's winner, Bernard Hinault). \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe stadium also hosted rugby, hockey and boxing, but of course it mainly became synonymous with football as the home of the \u003Ci\u003EGirondins de Bordeaux\u003C\/i\u003E, the club which formed in 1881 and turned professional in 1937 shortly before moving into the stadium. They, though, weren’t the first to grace the playing surface: the inaugural match at \u003Ci\u003ELescure \u003C\/i\u003Ewas the football World Cup quarter-final between Brazil and Czechoslovakia on June 12th 1938. The game drew a massive crowd and proved a raucous affair: three players were sent off, the Czechoslovakian goalkeeper left the field with a broken arm and one of his team-mates sustained a career-ending ankle injury. The game ended 1-1 and was replayed two days later, with Brazil winning 2-1 (this was the last time a World Cup game was replayed). Brazil later returned to Bordeaux for the third-place play-off, in which they beat Sweden.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-j0VtNINYz1M\/UQbmQMW-q5I\/AAAAAAAACUQ\/kbRSljY9QEI\/s1600\/067-ChabanDelmas3B.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-j0VtNINYz1M\/UQbmQMW-q5I\/AAAAAAAACUQ\/kbRSljY9QEI\/s640\/067-ChabanDelmas3B.jpg\" height=\"640\" width=\"464\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThere is surprisingly little evidence of the stadium's velodrome past. The top photo was taken in 1950 and shows the cycle track (photo by Pillot, source \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bordeaux2030.fr\/Appel-idee-parc-lescure\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebordeaux2030.fr\u003C\/a\u003E). The bottom photo, taken in 1948, shows a cycle race in progress (the dots in the distance are cyclists) while a rugby match\u003Ci\u003E \u003C\/i\u003Eis taking place on the pitch! Thanks to Adam over at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.invisibleparis.net\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInvisible Paris\u003C\/a\u003E who picked up this rare picture at a recent postcard fair!\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-IpErkwQJilA\/UQ7EayhzfVI\/AAAAAAAACX0\/rWqqP5sQyQQ\/s1600\/067-ChabanDelmas6.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EReinforced concrete was used for virtually all parts of the structure which are on view to the general public. Behind the scenes is another story, with dressed stone being used for many of the private functional areas. Alongside many of the art deco features which were so typical of both the period and the work of Jacques d’Welles, a number of surprising classical touches can also be seen, such as two statues of naked athletes by artists \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.galerie-malaquais.com\/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=45\u0026amp;tabindex=44\u0026amp;artistid=19244\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMarcel Damboise\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alfred_Janniot\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAlfred Janniot\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-IpErkwQJilA\/UQ7EayhzfVI\/AAAAAAAACX0\/rWqqP5sQyQQ\/s1600\/067-ChabanDelmas6.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-IpErkwQJilA\/UQ7EayhzfVI\/AAAAAAAACX0\/rWqqP5sQyQQ\/s200\/067-ChabanDelmas6.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"141\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Eand four tall ceramic vases, also featuring naked athletes, by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ren%C3%A9_Buthaud\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERené Buthaud\u003C\/a\u003E. The VIP entrance to the main stand is through a door on Avenue du Parc Lescure which looks more like the way into someone’s home than into a sporting arena (pictured right). \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn 1984, the cycle track was removed in favour of an increase in crowd capacity. The following year, a record attendance (40,200) was set for the European Cup game against the Italian side Juventus. Then, in the late 1990s, the stadium was once again renovated ahead of serving as a venue during the 1998 football World Cup. In this modern-day all-seater configuration, the stadium – which in 2000 was re-named \u003Ci\u003EStade Chaban-Delmas\u003C\/i\u003E upon the death of the former mayor – can hold 34,263 people.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-4UZbac6FHp4\/UQbnEUYMgSI\/AAAAAAAACUc\/OrfmcA6gdpo\/s1600\/067-ChabanDelmas4B.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-4UZbac6FHp4\/UQbnEUYMgSI\/AAAAAAAACUc\/OrfmcA6gdpo\/s400\/067-ChabanDelmas4B.jpg\" height=\"266\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe stadium as it looks today, including two of the four Buthaud vases.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-JCL7kpCWfI8\/UXonGVBAy4I\/AAAAAAAAC-c\/XTB4uAZzojE\/s1600\/067-ChabanDelmas7b.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-JCL7kpCWfI8\/UXonGVBAy4I\/AAAAAAAAC-c\/XTB4uAZzojE\/s200\/067-ChabanDelmas7b.jpg\" height=\"133\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ESud Ouest shot of Pele warming up \u003Cbr \/\u003Ebefore 1973 friendly game.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EThe stadium \u003Cspan id=\"goog_1023854324\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_1023854325\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003Ehas provided a backdrop to many a sporting achievement over the years. Older \u003Ci\u003EGirondins \u003C\/i\u003Esupporters with very good memories will think back to the team’s first French championship triumph in 1950 and the \u003Cspan id=\"goog_1023854320\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_1023854321\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E1973 friendly against the Brazilian club Santos, led by the legendary Pele. In 1996, Lescure was the scene of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=O3Q_bTPhQqI\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea spectacular victory over AC Milan in the second leg of the quarter-final of the UEFA Cup\u003C\/a\u003E, the \u003Ci\u003EGirondins \u003C\/i\u003E(including future international stars Zidane, Dugarry and Lizarazu) overturning a two-goal deficit by winning 3-0, and going on to be the runners-up in that year’s final. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn 1999, the stadium hosted a massive spontaneous party at 3AM to welcome home the Girondins who had secured the French championship by winning away in Paris the previous evening. Non-sports fans may rather cherish their memories of large-scale concerts by Dire Straits, Yannick Noah or the inevitable Johnny Hallyday. Finally, in 2007, the stadium hosted more World Cup action. This time the game was rugby though, with teams as diverse as Australia, Ireland, Canada, Japan, Georgia, Namibia all playing in Bordeaux.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-zwJvb804r38\/UQbn8bVzZcI\/AAAAAAAACVk\/z0ElqjIiRWA\/s1600\/067-ChabanDelmas5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-zwJvb804r38\/UQbn8bVzZcI\/AAAAAAAACVk\/z0ElqjIiRWA\/s400\/067-ChabanDelmas5.jpg\" height=\"266\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EStade Chaban-Delmas on matchday!\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EI haven’t taken the time out to check how well each team performed. One thing worth bearing in mind is that players whose fitness levels are anything less than optimum may be worn out before they even start playing: between the changing rooms in the separate “paddock” zone and the pitch, there is a mammoth 120-metre walk (a distance unequalled elsewhere in Europe). \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor some time it was unclear what would become of the stadium. Although not registered as a national monument, its “\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/archives.bordeaux-info.com\/2008\/09\/30\/36-edifices-et-monuments-aquitains-classes-%C2%AB-patrimoine-du-xxeme-siecle-%C2%BB\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EPatrimoine du XXe Siècle\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E” heritage status ensured that many of its features were sure to remain, whatever the outcome. A \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bordeaux2030.fr\/Appel-idee-parc-lescure\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecall for suggestions\u003C\/a\u003E was issued by the city of Bordeaux, with the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sudouest.fr\/2013\/03\/08\/chaban-rien-de-bluffant-988316-2780.php\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewinning ideas\u003C\/a\u003E to serve as a basis for a more formal call for tenders. In the end though, the decision was made to retain the stadium as a sporting venue, and it will indeed become the permanent home of Union Bordeaux-Bègles rugby team from mid 2015 onwards.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFind it: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;ll=44.83323,-0.595794\u0026amp;spn=0.017073,0.042272\u0026amp;t=h\u0026amp;z=15\u0026amp;vpsrc=6\u0026amp;iwloc=0004d45ffb1de605f3e24\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPlace Johnston, Bordeaux\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERecommended reading: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ddabordeaux.com\/livre-55.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"\u003Ci\u003EStade Lescure\u003C\/i\u003E\" by Guy Dupuis\u003C\/a\u003E, the architect who masterminded the renovation programmes in the 1980s and 1990s.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHere are a couple of INA clips, the first showing a\u003Ci\u003E Tour de France\u003C\/i\u003E stage finishing up at Lescure in 1967, the second reporting on the state of the \u003Ci\u003EGirondins \u003C\/i\u003Ein 1971 and featuring a number of views of the stadium as it was back then:\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" height=\"319\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"http:\/\/www.ina.fr\/video\/embed\/CAF97084960\/1055789\/46f63048b5ec40df956d52c2e76a3146\/425\/319\/0\" width=\"425\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ina.fr\/video\/CAF97084960\/tour-de-france-pau-bordeaux-18eme-etape.fr.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003EClick here if video doesn't display properly on your device.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" height=\"319\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"http:\/\/www.ina.fr\/video\/embed\/CAF90033986\/1055789\/46f63048b5ec40df956d52c2e76a3146\/425\/319\/0\" width=\"425\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ina.fr\/sport\/football\/video\/CAF90033986\/football-l-equipe-de-bordeaux.fr.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003EClick here if video doesn't display properly on your device.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E    \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5395693117072768692\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2013\/02\/stade-chaban-delmas-nearing-end-of-its.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/5395693117072768692"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/5395693117072768692"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2013\/02\/stade-chaban-delmas-nearing-end-of-its.html","title":"Stade Chaban-Delmas: nearing the end of this footballing life"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-sArYpOzDgWE\/UQbk81BufkI\/AAAAAAAACTA\/Y_uEbpKi608\/s72-c\/067-ChabanDelmas1.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-5859592989709347052"},"published":{"$t":"2012-09-30T16:50:00.000+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-12-02T10:47:52.973+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Architecture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Art deco"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bègles"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Suburbs"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Bègles Piscine Les Bains: rejuvenating Gironde’s oldest swimming facilities"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lQNUO3PPejk\/UFeA0PaAC5I\/AAAAAAAABRY\/z6L70qPec10\/s1600\/054-BeglesPool03.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1237\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"494\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lQNUO3PPejk\/UFeA0PaAC5I\/AAAAAAAABRY\/z6L70qPec10\/s640\/054-BeglesPool03.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIn the early years of the 20th century in France, the boom in personal hygiene and a desire to swim coincided with the rise of art deco architecture. In some cases, the phenomena combined, resulting in places like the “\u003Ci\u003EPiscine Les Bains\u003C\/i\u003E” establishment to be found in Bègles. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOfficially opened on December 4th 1932, the pool was the first of its kind to start operating in the Gironde \u003Ci\u003Edépartement\u003C\/i\u003E. It had been commissioned two years earlier by the town’s Socialist mayor, Alexis Capelle, and was executed to the designs of local architect Louis-Alfred Blanchard. Various specialists brought their specific expertise to the decorative mix: a painter named Bime, a sculptor named Vignal, the ceramist brothers Castiaux and the enameller Duvigneau. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPatrons would enter through the grand entrance on the street corner, and proceed either to the indoor pool on the left, or to the right which was given over to public bathing and showering facilities. In 1964, an outdoor “\u003Ci\u003Episcine d’été\u003C\/i\u003E” was built to the rear of the building.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KrZDkFbGDCk\/UGINiw0iP5I\/AAAAAAAABWk\/3X7qjh7P3t8\/s1600\/054-PiscineComp2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KrZDkFbGDCk\/UGINiw0iP5I\/AAAAAAAABWk\/3X7qjh7P3t8\/s640\/054-PiscineComp2.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe establishment led a carefree existence for more than 60 years and in 1991 was granted listed status, registered on France’s “\u003Ci\u003EInventaire supplémentaire des bâtiments historiques\u003C\/i\u003E”. However, by then the facilities had deteriorated and, failing to meet stringent norms, in 1996 the pool was forced to close down for good. The building remained unused for almost ten years, by which time modern-era mayor \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/noelmamere.eelv.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENoël Mamère\u003C\/a\u003E, one of the figureheads of France’s Green Party, initiated plans to refurbish the whole structure. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHe called on the architect \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Patrick_Bouchain\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPatrick Bouchain\u003C\/a\u003E, whose stated intention was not one of wanting to restore or rebuild but rather “to bring the place back to life. Many monuments are either abandoned or become museums. With regard to the swimming pool in Bègles, it was decided that the building would retain its initial function”. (Source: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.batiactu.com\/edito\/patrick-bouchain-redonne-vie-a-la-piscine-de-begle-18874.php\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBatiactu\u003C\/a\u003E.) \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-aHjEK3U8cWI\/UGIMrExu7RI\/AAAAAAAABWc\/Y_8-wutVFb4\/s1600\/054-PiscineComp1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-aHjEK3U8cWI\/UGIMrExu7RI\/AAAAAAAABWc\/Y_8-wutVFb4\/s640\/054-PiscineComp1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe new-generation establishment opened in 2006 and does a fine job of combining the old and the new. Today's changing facilities are where the public showers used to be. Other than a few interior embellishments, the cubicles look much as they did back then. The outdoor pool area has now been covered with a glass roof, through which the sun shines on the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fichier:Piscine_B%C3%A8gles_int%C3%A9rieur.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enew 12.50m x 25m swimming pool\u003C\/a\u003E, where water is maintained at a pleasant 28°C. The indoor pool has been transformed into an elaborate wooden activity  and fitness course used by children, convalescent adults and senior  citizens alike. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAdjacent to this is a modern hammam and sauna installation. Completing the picture is a patio garden that comprises a functional water feature, or more precisely a \"phytoremediation pond\" where vegetation is employed to remove chlorine from water used in the pool. The processed water is then used in the establishment’s lavatory network or to water the greenery, and also fills the cisterns of the municipality’s street-cleaning vans.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yIGv15kk5wo\/UGIOx9FPsGI\/AAAAAAAABWs\/nKGXZbKvqV0\/s1600\/054-PiscineComp3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yIGv15kk5wo\/UGIOx9FPsGI\/AAAAAAAABWs\/nKGXZbKvqV0\/s640\/054-PiscineComp3.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EMany of the original art deco features are virtually intact, from the wacky window frames and plaster wall mouldings to the tiled floors and faux-marble benches. The dome skylights in what used to be the lobby are gone though, replaced by a more watertight design embellished with colourful glass baubles. The former lobby is now a bio-food restaurant which trades under the name “\u003Ci\u003ENature et des Courgettes\u003C\/i\u003E” (a pun on the “\u003Ci\u003ENature \u0026amp; Découvertes\u003C\/i\u003E” shop name). Meanwhile, the main entrance has been moved further to the centre of the building's right wing in order to accommodate a disabled access ramp. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-O_uoB229NT4\/UGIP3DfI1BI\/AAAAAAAABW0\/U9vG_GCnMuc\/s1600\/054-PiscineComp4.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"460\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-O_uoB229NT4\/UGIP3DfI1BI\/AAAAAAAABW0\/U9vG_GCnMuc\/s640\/054-PiscineComp4.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-c9ZNw-ZBub4\/UFeDDcQNK-I\/AAAAAAAABTM\/gqb3SeDcjH8\/s1600\/054-BeglesPool17.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe new-look venue also boasts its own original artwork. When bathers walk through the foot bath on their way to the pool, they can admire a mosaic conceived by the German-born Brussels-based artist \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Marin_Kasimir\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMarin Kasimir\u003C\/a\u003E, the pixel-like squares merging to create a picture of the corridor to the former showering cubicles, forming another symbolic connection between the past and present – which cohabit particularly well at “\u003Ci\u003EPiscine Les Bains\u003C\/i\u003E” .\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-c9ZNw-ZBub4\/UFeDDcQNK-I\/AAAAAAAABTM\/gqb3SeDcjH8\/s1600\/054-BeglesPool17.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-c9ZNw-ZBub4\/UFeDDcQNK-I\/AAAAAAAABTM\/gqb3SeDcjH8\/s640\/054-BeglesPool17.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; Find it on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ll=44.84376,-0.578585\u0026amp;spn=0.017709,0.038581\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe Invisible Bordeaux map\u003C\/a\u003E: Piscine Les Bains, rue Carnot, Bègles.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe town of Bègles has published \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/villedebegles\/sets\/72157627301072732\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis excellent Flickr gallery of \u003Ci\u003EPiscine Les Bains\u003C\/i\u003E, including some fine archive pictures\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5859592989709347052\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/09\/begles-piscine-les-bains-rejuvenating.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/5859592989709347052"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/5859592989709347052"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/09\/begles-piscine-les-bains-rejuvenating.html","title":"Bègles Piscine Les Bains: rejuvenating Gironde’s oldest swimming facilities"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lQNUO3PPejk\/UFeA0PaAC5I\/AAAAAAAABRY\/z6L70qPec10\/s72-c\/054-BeglesPool03.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-6640700244033533748"},"published":{"$t":"2012-09-16T17:48:00.000+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-04-01T21:33:21.126+02:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bassin d'Arcachon"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gujan-Mestras"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Yves Parlier’s hydro-glider: resting in peace in Gujan-Mestras"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E[April 2015 update: the boat is now in Arcachon]\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3nPi8laufz0\/UEUXBobi5JI\/AAAAAAAABI4\/zU5uLDrhSHQ\/s1600\/052-Hydraplaneur8.JPG\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3nPi8laufz0\/UEUXBobi5JI\/AAAAAAAABI4\/zU5uLDrhSHQ\/s200\/052-Hydraplaneur8.JPG\" height=\"133\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOn the southern edge of Arcachon Bay, the \u003Ci\u003EPort du Canal\u003C\/i\u003E in Gujan-Mestras is home to a number of oyster farmers, fishermen and ship-builders. It is also here that a record-breaking high-speed catamaran conceived by renowned Arcachon-based sailor \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yves_Parlier\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYves Parlier\u003C\/a\u003E has seemingly been left to rest in peace in full view of all-comers. What is more, at the time of writing, it can be yours for €250,000. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOriginally unveiled by Parlier in 2004 after six years in the making, the boat is the “\u003Ci\u003Ehydraplaneur\u003C\/i\u003E”, a 60-foot (18.28m) carbon fibre “hydro-glider”. She was designed by a partnership known as \u003Ci\u003EAquitaine Design Team\u003C\/i\u003E and manufactured by \u003Ci\u003EChantier Naval de Larros \u003C\/i\u003E(CNL). The boat’s main innovations were its twin rig with a mast on each hull (unlike on trimarans where the central hull supports the mast), and the “stepped” hull design, inspired by the use of this shape on seaplanes enabling the aircraft to take off and land at high speed. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--ZFm9xt00UQ\/UEUXHfAv59I\/AAAAAAAABJA\/dD-wu-jbaac\/s1600\/052-Hydraplaneur9.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--ZFm9xt00UQ\/UEUXHfAv59I\/AAAAAAAABJA\/dD-wu-jbaac\/s400\/052-Hydraplaneur9.JPG\" height=\"266\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9-2-gH1r9KU\/UEUW4jHFWfI\/AAAAAAAABIk\/AURaY1e18pk\/s1600\/052-Hydraplaneur6.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9-2-gH1r9KU\/UEUW4jHFWfI\/AAAAAAAABIk\/AURaY1e18pk\/s400\/052-Hydraplaneur6.JPG\" height=\"266\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EUpon launch, the \u003Ci\u003Ehydraplaneur\u003C\/i\u003E, which traded under the name of its main sponsors, “\u003Ci\u003EMédiatis Région Aquitaine\u003C\/i\u003E”, was hailed as Parlier’s “\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bowmansunion.com\/portal\/news\/anmviewer.asp?a=501\u0026amp;z=16\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enew weapon\u003C\/a\u003E” and “\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/news\/412723\/a-look-at-yves-parlier-s-new-cat\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eextreme machine\u003C\/a\u003E”. According to \u003Ci\u003EYachting World\u003C\/i\u003E, the boat was designed to “reach target speed of 35 knots for 24 hours, 40 knots for one hour and short bursts of 45 knots plus” (35 knots = 65km\/h, 40 = 74km\/h, 45 = 83km\/h). Above all, Parlier wanted “a fast boat that will stay in one piece” so that he would not have to again endure what he’d experienced in a \u003Ci\u003EVendée Globe\u003C\/i\u003E race when he dismasted (he re-built and re-stepped his mast unassisted and still managed to finish the race). \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EHowever, pitted against trimarans the boat failed to perform on the world’s stage. Parlier finished four days behind winner Michel Desjoyaux in the 2004 \u003Ci\u003ETransat\u003C\/i\u003E race, and came last in that year’s \u003Ci\u003EQuebec-Saint Malo\u003C\/i\u003E race. The sailor then chose to focus on individual speed records but failed to break any throughout the whole of 2005 – although he did manage to capsize off the Canary Islands in April. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-fcZJBVTP_GA\/UEUWsJYbNUI\/AAAAAAAABIU\/DC7rofTLUAw\/s1600\/052-Hydraplaneur4.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-fcZJBVTP_GA\/UEUWsJYbNUI\/AAAAAAAABIU\/DC7rofTLUAw\/s320\/052-Hydraplaneur4.JPG\" height=\"213\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2TibbvSvdXw\/UEUW9P8xc8I\/AAAAAAAABIw\/YYM0NfwaefA\/s1600\/052-Hydraplaneur7.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2TibbvSvdXw\/UEUW9P8xc8I\/AAAAAAAABIw\/YYM0NfwaefA\/s320\/052-Hydraplaneur7.JPG\" height=\"213\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe \u003Ci\u003Ehydraplaneur \u003C\/i\u003Edid eventually deliver on April 9th 2006 when Parlier set a new 24-hour distance record in the “multihull up to 60 feet with crew” category, travelling 597.81 miles at an average speed of 24.91 knots (that record has since been beaten by Yvan Bourgnon on his \u003Ci\u003EBrossard \u003C\/i\u003Eboat). The boat also set a new around Gran Canaria record (12 hours and 46 minutes). It was too little too late though. Lead backers Médiatis, Orange and the Aquitaine regional council all pulled out of the project and the boat, which was set to take part in the 2006 \u003Ci\u003ERoute du Rhum\u003C\/i\u003E race (where it was to be skippered by Lalou Roucayrol), was instead sidelined for good. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EA few months later, in July 2007, the boat was lifted out of the water of the Gujan-Mestras port, from where she had set sail a few years earlier. And that is where the \u003Ci\u003Ehydraplaneur \u003C\/i\u003Eremains today – at least at the time of writing – back on the grounds of the CNL shipyards. And since 2009, the boat has been up for sale, although the initial asking price of €300,000 has \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bernard-gallay.com\/yacht-for-sale\/MEDIATIS-315\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enow been revised to €250,000\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qc-XEYhf7rA\/UEUWikLGm2I\/AAAAAAAABIE\/DiJZyhVBpmw\/s1600\/052-Hydraplaneur2.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qc-XEYhf7rA\/UEUWikLGm2I\/AAAAAAAABIE\/DiJZyhVBpmw\/s320\/052-Hydraplaneur2.JPG\" height=\"320\" width=\"213\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EPeeking inside the hull!...\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-QfPDVbuqBqg\/UEUWnL_5RXI\/AAAAAAAABIM\/OLoXqLpY4B8\/s1600\/052-Hydraplaneur3.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-QfPDVbuqBqg\/UEUWnL_5RXI\/AAAAAAAABIM\/OLoXqLpY4B8\/s320\/052-Hydraplaneur3.JPG\" height=\"267\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003ESpeaking to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sudouest.fr\/2012\/03\/26\/l-hydraplaneur-de-parlier-appartient-a-l-histoire-669585-2733.php\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ESud Ouest\u003C\/i\u003E in March 2012\u003C\/a\u003E, a pessimistic Parlier acknowledged the prospective buyer would have to plough a further €100,000 into the boat to make it seaworthy again, and perhaps two to three times that amount to make it more habitable before adding “my boats have always enjoyed a second life. But I’m not so sure about this one.” (\u003Ci\u003EMes bateaux ont toujours eu une seconde vie. Celui-là, je ne sais pas.\u003C\/i\u003E)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe sailor is visibly downbeat about this failed chapter in his otherwise illustrious career but has moved on to other ventures, most notably a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.parlier.org\/beyond_the_sea\/eng\/beyond_the_sea.php\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E100% natural-energy traction project\u003C\/a\u003E which brings together a spinnaker (kite) to capture the pull of the wind, photovoltaic cells and batteries to store energy for an electrical motor for use in ports or for brief manoeuvres and, as on the \u003Ci\u003Ehydraplaneur\u003C\/i\u003E, stepped hulls to maximise power. Will this next project take off?\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_iOxK8_c4oE\/UEUWyog-eOI\/AAAAAAAABIc\/fxq4dP_Ex1E\/s1600\/052-Hydraplaneur5.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_iOxK8_c4oE\/UEUWyog-eOI\/AAAAAAAABIc\/fxq4dP_Ex1E\/s400\/052-Hydraplaneur5.JPG\" height=\"266\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFind it: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;ll=44.643145,-1.06584\u0026amp;spn=0.001071,0.002642\u0026amp;t=h\u0026amp;z=19\u0026amp;vpsrc=6\u0026amp;iwloc=0004c8e149d7dfa27c268\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPort du Canal, Gujan-Mestras\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EYves Parlier's official website: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.parlier.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewww.parlier.org\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.guillaumeverdier.com\/images\/stories\/pdf\/descriptif_hydraplaneur_mediatis.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EHydraplaneur\u003C\/i\u003E technical factsheet\u003C\/a\u003E and if you're interested in buying the boat, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bernard-gallay.com\/yacht-for-sale\/MEDIATIS-315\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eclick here\u003C\/a\u003E!\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;Video clips of the \u003Ci\u003Ehydraplaneur\u003C\/i\u003E in its prime: \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"236\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AY0ssDA70gY\" width=\"315\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"236\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4ZTjNTMSTWo\" width=\"315\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EThanks to Guillaume for suggesting this subject! \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6640700244033533748\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/09\/yves-parliers-hydro-glider-resting-in.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/6640700244033533748"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/6640700244033533748"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/09\/yves-parliers-hydro-glider-resting-in.html","title":"Yves Parlier’s hydro-glider: resting in peace in Gujan-Mestras"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3nPi8laufz0\/UEUXBobi5JI\/AAAAAAAABI4\/zU5uLDrhSHQ\/s72-c\/052-Hydraplaneur8.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-4275648313441083553"},"published":{"$t":"2012-05-06T21:00:00.000+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-02-24T20:51:27.479+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cycle path"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Eysines"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"History"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Infrastructure"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lacanau"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Railway line"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Saint-Médard-en-Jalles"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Transport"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Bordeaux-Lacanau cycle path: from steam and diesel to pedal power"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OtUYCSHS9Gg\/T2pKeYtGomI\/AAAAAAAAAb8\/5j81VRlnNMM\/s1600\/027-BxLacanau7.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OtUYCSHS9Gg\/T2pKeYtGomI\/AAAAAAAAAb8\/5j81VRlnNMM\/s200\/027-BxLacanau7.jpg\" height=\"101\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe sixty-kilometre cycle path that runs from Bordeaux to Lacanau provides a practical, if somewhat flat and linear, means of getting to the Atlantic coast by pedal power alone. And, like many cycle paths, it used to be a railway line. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe railway line was built in the 19th century, forming part of a network of routes run by \u003Ci\u003ESociété Générale des Chemins de Fer Économiques\u003C\/i\u003E. The network was primarily designed to easily ferry maritime pinewood from its native Médoc to other parts of the Bordeaux region, ahead of the focus shifting to passenger traffic. One line ran north to south from Lesparre-Médoc to Saint-Symphorien, a second covered a south-western diagonal from Hostens to Beautiran, and this third line connected Bordeaux to Lacanau. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Bordeaux-Lacanau line began operating in 1885. Trains initially departed from the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/s3.e-monsite.com\/2011\/01\/15\/05\/resize_550_550\/\/BLO-n1-Bordeaux-Saint-Louis_1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGare du Médoc\u003C\/a\u003E which, once rebuilt subsequent to a fire, became known as Saint-Louis station to the north of central Bordeaux. This station continued to operate until 1968 when town planning resulted in the railway line being shortened and the station being relocated 900 metres further north. The new station retained the name Bordeaux Saint-Louis, before being renamed Ravezies station, in keeping with its location on Place Ravezies. The station remained the departure point for trains bound for the Médoc, until its closure in September 2012. It is to be replaced in 2014 by a new tram-only station to be known as Cracovie. Meanwhile, what used to be Saint-Louis station is now a Leclerc superstore and shopping centre! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hWyNOx58kAE\/T3ylTZ8MaTI\/AAAAAAAAAf0\/Us-i2YUVxYs\/s1600\/027-BxLacanau11.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hWyNOx58kAE\/T3ylTZ8MaTI\/AAAAAAAAAf0\/Us-i2YUVxYs\/s320\/027-BxLacanau11.jpg\" height=\"128\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EA Leclerc superstore where Saint-Louis station used to be.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-LGVjulCtHCI\/T3yTvJ0ljII\/AAAAAAAAAfk\/P5m7zSiqL54\/s1600\/027-BxLacanau10.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-LGVjulCtHCI\/T3yTvJ0ljII\/AAAAAAAAAfk\/P5m7zSiqL54\/s320\/027-BxLacanau10.jpg\" height=\"190\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe main entrance to the shopping centre \u003Cbr \/\u003Eis more reminiscent of a railway station...\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-k_V5fZ4z-zM\/T3yUROPPUQI\/AAAAAAAAAfs\/VwB9_WKIgx0\/s1600\/027-BxLacanau9.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-k_V5fZ4z-zM\/T3yUROPPUQI\/AAAAAAAAAfs\/VwB9_WKIgx0\/s320\/027-BxLacanau9.jpg\" height=\"149\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EPhoto taken shortly before Ramezies station closed for good!\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBeyond Bordeaux, the trains’ main stops were Bruges, Eysines, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Issac, Salaunes, Sainte-Hélène and Saumos. The initial terminus was the inland town of Lacanau but, in the early years of the 20th century, it was decided to extend the line to the nascent seaside resort that was Lacanau-Océan. The additional 12-kilometre section was opened in 1905 and, come 1911, this is what the full line looked like (the vertical black line being the Lesparre-Médoc – Saint-Symphorien railway). Just underneath is the cycle path as it stands over 100 years later, a virtual carbon copy of the railway line! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-m7NeWJbfL3w\/T2pLtxt5HmI\/AAAAAAAAAcM\/_1yYfYIEvPY\/s1600\/027-BxLacanauMap1911.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-m7NeWJbfL3w\/T2pLtxt5HmI\/AAAAAAAAAcM\/_1yYfYIEvPY\/s400\/027-BxLacanauMap1911.jpg\" height=\"198\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NWcpPwt2sHs\/T2pMMVBttbI\/AAAAAAAAAcU\/nPXtDaZhLm8\/s1600\/027-BxLacanauMap2012.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NWcpPwt2sHs\/T2pMMVBttbI\/AAAAAAAAAcU\/nPXtDaZhLm8\/s400\/027-BxLacanauMap2012.jpg\" height=\"160\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe glory years of the railway line were between 1913 and 1934. At the time, it took the steam engines three hours to get from Bordeaux to Lacanau! As well as first-, second- and third-class carriages, the trains often included cattle cars, enabling the horses of wealthy passengers to make the trip as well! During the Second World War, the Germans regularly used the railway line to transport equipment to the coast. By that time, the switch to diesel railcars had halved the trains’ travel time. One later type of railcar was designed by the Bordeaux company Carde, and featured a single driver’s compartment. Whenever the train reached the end of the line, the coach would rise on its hydraulic levers and swivel around to face the other way! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMeanwhile, the road network had come on in leaps and bounds. The railway line was struggling to compete and passenger traffic ceased in 1954, although it continued to be fulfil its original purpose, being used to ferry maritime pinewood. However, the line was no longer financially viable and stopped operating in 1978, ahead of being fully decommissioned in October 1979. Today, the only signs of the cycle path’s railway roots are the occasional former station dotted along the route. Most are now private homes. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-iG1F1n27hk4\/T2pIexfXWMI\/AAAAAAAAAbs\/WBUlWctGdck\/s1600\/027-BxLacanau4.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-iG1F1n27hk4\/T2pIexfXWMI\/AAAAAAAAAbs\/WBUlWctGdck\/s320\/027-BxLacanau4.jpg\" height=\"180\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EFormer Eysines station, \u003Cbr \/\u003Ewhere the scene used to look something like \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/s3.e-monsite.com\/2011\/01\/15\/05\/resize_550_550\/\/BLO-n3-Eysines_2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-uilzQoFaSAc\/T2pIH00FkAI\/AAAAAAAAAbk\/fLvv44VG6uY\/s1600\/027-BxLacanau3.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-uilzQoFaSAc\/T2pIH00FkAI\/AAAAAAAAAbk\/fLvv44VG6uY\/s320\/027-BxLacanau3.jpg\" height=\"172\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EFormer Issac station\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIn\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/s3.e-monsite.com\/2011\/01\/15\/05\/resize_550_550\/\/BLO-n4-Saint-Medard-en-Jalles_5.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESaint-Médard-en-Jalles\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E, where the former station is now a restaurant, the railway heritage is still very much present. A 1913 Couillet 030T steam locomotive remains on permanent static display, although in fact it has only been in the area since 1985 when it was purchased by the municipality from a Belgian railway operator.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/--axz13Yqsyg\/T2pHnIJFLGI\/AAAAAAAAAbc\/ETrkgaH93ig\/s1600\/027-BxLacanau2.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/--axz13Yqsyg\/T2pHnIJFLGI\/AAAAAAAAAbc\/ETrkgaH93ig\/s320\/027-BxLacanau2.jpg\" height=\"188\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AHNnUWuFPQo\/T2pGw_Vc2SI\/AAAAAAAAAbU\/k_lqY8GpX7g\/s1600\/027-BxLacanau1.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AHNnUWuFPQo\/T2pGw_Vc2SI\/AAAAAAAAAbU\/k_lqY8GpX7g\/s320\/027-BxLacanau1.jpg\" height=\"232\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHow does it rate as a cycle path though? Weeellll, I must say I'm not a massive fan of the route but I'm possibly biased in my analysis as the only time I've fallen off my bike in recent years has been here, attempting to overtake a cross-country cyclist who suddenly decided to veer left into the forest, sending me tumbling to the ground! Indeed, there are times and when it is a particularly busy succession of cyclists, rollerbladers and pedestrians all jostling for position, especially on Saturdays and Sundays predictably enough. In some parts (such as Saint-Médard-en-Jalles), it is also open to youngsters on mopeds and scooters when travelling to and from school, weekday early mornings and late afternoons.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut, to be fair, most of the time the track is a tranquil setting for a pleasant and undemanding cycle ride, especially once outside the greater Bordeaux suburbs... although the flat and linear nature mentioned above can sometimes veer into sheer monotony (remember therefore to pack some kind of music-listening device or a suitably chatty travelling companion).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4Y4F1DVrDGw\/T2pLmVQLgZI\/AAAAAAAAAcE\/Bdli_61juTY\/s1600\/027-BxLacanau8.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4Y4F1DVrDGw\/T2pLmVQLgZI\/AAAAAAAAAcE\/Bdli_61juTY\/s200\/027-BxLacanau8.jpg\" height=\"90\" width=\"150\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EOne definite plus though is that the cycle path is registered as a “\u003Ci\u003Edépartementale\u003C\/i\u003E”, which means that it is monitored, cleaned and maintained like any other road in the area, making for a pristine surface with none of the litter, twigs and fallen leaves you sometimes find on roadside cycle lanes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOh, and by the way, before you ask, the best places to get onto the cycle path are Bordeaux-Lac, central Eysines or the aforementioned former station in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles. Signposts to the cycle path can even be spotted in central Bordeaux on the Garonne riverside. Happy cycling then! \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4Y4F1DVrDGw\/T2pLmVQLgZI\/AAAAAAAAAcE\/Bdli_61juTY\/s1600\/027-BxLacanau8.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFind the stations referred to in the article: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;ll=44.863725,-0.566407\u0026amp;spn=0.004129,0.009645\u0026amp;t=h\u0026amp;z=17\u0026amp;vpsrc=6\u0026amp;iwloc=0004bd581cc077bc85fc5\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBordeaux Saint-Louis\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;ll=44.867238,-0.577844\u0026amp;spn=0.004129,0.009645\u0026amp;t=h\u0026amp;z=17\u0026amp;vpsrc=6\u0026amp;iwloc=0004bd58282d8aa8309d3\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERamezies\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;ll=44.891516,-0.648167\u0026amp;spn=0.002064,0.004823\u0026amp;t=h\u0026amp;z=18\u0026amp;vpsrc=6\u0026amp;iwloc=0004bd583b04a8bfb8791\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEysines\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;ll=44.89345,-0.726026\u0026amp;spn=0.002064,0.004823\u0026amp;t=h\u0026amp;z=18\u0026amp;vpsrc=6\u0026amp;iwloc=0004bd5845aabcb9810e6\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESaint-Médard-en-Jalles\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;ll=44.89662,-0.764827\u0026amp;spn=0.002063,0.004823\u0026amp;t=h\u0026amp;z=18\u0026amp;vpsrc=6\u0026amp;iwloc=0004bd5851e2a41bb8f9e\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIssac\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/voiesferreesdegironde.e-monsite.com\/pages\/s-e-de-la-gironde\/bordeaux-lacanau-ocean.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe \"Voies Ferrées de Gironde\" website features a fine selection of archive photos of the railway line.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBig thanks to Jérôme from the \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/etats-critiques.over-blog.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EÉtats Critiques\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/etats-critiques.over-blog.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E film review blog, who sat through a screening of \u003C\/span\u003Ethe 2006 thriller “\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allocine.fr\/video\/player_gen_cmedia=18721410\u0026amp;cfilm=112382.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EContre-Enquête\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E” (Counter Investigation) to verify a claim that the story was in some way connected with the Bordeaux-Lacanau railway line. (Which it wasn't.)\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4275648313441083553\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/05\/bordeaux-lacanau-cycle-path-from-steam.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/4275648313441083553"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/4275648313441083553"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/05\/bordeaux-lacanau-cycle-path-from-steam.html","title":"Bordeaux-Lacanau cycle path: from steam and diesel to pedal power"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OtUYCSHS9Gg\/T2pKeYtGomI\/AAAAAAAAAb8\/5j81VRlnNMM\/s72-c\/027-BxLacanau7.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-3255301464755350438"},"published":{"$t":"2012-03-25T21:00:00.000+02:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-05-21T21:06:35.378+02:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Floirac"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"La Brède"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Le Bouscat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Montesquieu"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Suburbs"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Bordeaux bullring circuit: Arènes du Bouscat to Floirac and La Brède"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-FpYQIhT5ApY\/T2EALPolvgI\/AAAAAAAAAaM\/3MtxBZHtFDc\/s1600\/026-ArenesBouscat2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1115\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"446\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-FpYQIhT5ApY\/T2EALPolvgI\/AAAAAAAAAaM\/3MtxBZHtFDc\/s1600\/026-ArenesBouscat2.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-HOBW6zlZhMo\/T2D_nDFhe8I\/AAAAAAAAAaE\/hEwzQs3D7-Y\/s1600\/026-ArenesBouscat1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBordeaux is not a city that is naturally associated with  bullfighting and yet for many years it had its very own \u003Ci\u003EPlaza de Toros\u003C\/i\u003E in the  north-western suburb of Le Bouscat. And even today, the bullfighting  tradition lives on in nearby La Brède once a year. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELet’s begin though by rewinding to 1863, when a bullring was set up in the  Caudéran area of Bordeaux by a Spaniard named Lopez Vincent: \u003Ci\u003Eles Arènes Bordelaises\u003C\/i\u003E. A second, \u003Ci\u003ELa Benatte\u003C\/i\u003E, was opened in 1899 in\u0026nbsp; the Saint Seurin quarter. They operated  until the early years of the 20th century, ahead of the more substantial  \u003Ci\u003EArènes du Bouscat\u003C\/i\u003E being opened on May 8th 1921.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe Le Bouscat venue’s 25 stands could hold 10,500 spectators and, as  well as being used for \u003Ci\u003Ecorrida\u003C\/i\u003E meetings, the 41-metre-diameter ring was  also used as a backdrop for concerts and wrestling bouts. From 1951  onwards, under the impetus of the renowned promoter Vicente Jorda, a  prestigious bullfighting contest known as “\u003Ci\u003EL’Oreille d’Or\u003C\/i\u003E” was held  annually.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mW4TmGgMq6I\/T2EDucJZ9jI\/AAAAAAAAAak\/VKr-LqhbCgg\/s1600\/026-ArenesBouscat5.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"230\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mW4TmGgMq6I\/T2EDucJZ9jI\/AAAAAAAAAak\/VKr-LqhbCgg\/s320\/026-ArenesBouscat5.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPictured right is the legendary bullfighter Antoñete at the \u003Ci\u003EArènes du Bouscat\u003C\/i\u003E in July 1953, on his way to winning the first of three “\u003Ci\u003EOreille d’Or\u003C\/i\u003E” titles (he also won in 1955 and 1956). Meanwhile, rare Pathé footage of a 1950 bullfight in progress can be viewed \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.britishpathe.com\/video\/bullfight-1\/query\/bordeaux\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe last “\u003Ci\u003EOreille d’Or\u003C\/i\u003E” contest was held on June 18th 1961, shortly before the venue was closed down. It had fallen into a state of disrepair and the \u003Ci\u003Ecoup de grâce\u003C\/i\u003E was reportedly the collapse of a staircase that resulted in the death of a spectator. There were several attempts to save the arena but it was eventually demolished in 1970, making way for a major residential complex that is aptly known as “\u003Ci\u003ELes Arènes\u003C\/i\u003E”. The centrepiece of \u003Ci\u003ELes Arènes\u003C\/i\u003E is a 1974 pink  granite sculpture by Israeli artist \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shlomo_Selinger\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EShelomo Selinger\u003C\/a\u003E entitled “\u003Ci\u003ELa Tauromachie\u003C\/i\u003E” (see top picture), which harks back to the confrontations between man and beast that took place at that exact spot. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-HOBW6zlZhMo\/T2D_nDFhe8I\/AAAAAAAAAaE\/hEwzQs3D7-Y\/s1600\/026-ArenesBouscat1.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"504\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-HOBW6zlZhMo\/T2D_nDFhe8I\/AAAAAAAAAaE\/hEwzQs3D7-Y\/s640\/026-ArenesBouscat1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-vy6OJ0ntJ9I\/T2EA-HMCCuI\/AAAAAAAAAaU\/ZaLXAA4QIvc\/s1600\/026-ArenesBouscat3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-vy6OJ0ntJ9I\/T2EA-HMCCuI\/AAAAAAAAAaU\/ZaLXAA4QIvc\/s640\/026-ArenesBouscat3.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBullfighting then faded into obscurity in the area until 1985, when meetings began to be held again in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/tastetromain.blogspot.fr\/2011\/06\/photos-novillada-captieux.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECaptieux\u003C\/a\u003E, 85 kilometres to the south of Bordeaux. \u003Ci\u003ECorridas \u003C\/i\u003Eare still organised there annually and frequently draw big-name \u003Ci\u003Ematadors\u003C\/i\u003E: in 2011, the star attraction was the world number one, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Juli%C3%A1n_L%C3%B3pez_Escobar\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEl Juli\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wkqJW7zA3rU\/T29thgLH6YI\/AAAAAAAAAcs\/gleRkpbwlTA\/s1600\/026-ArenesFloiracGEarth.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"321\" data-original-width=\"402\" height=\"255\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wkqJW7zA3rU\/T29thgLH6YI\/AAAAAAAAAcs\/gleRkpbwlTA\/s1600\/026-ArenesFloiracGEarth.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThen, in 1988, a dismountable structure was erected in Floirac, in the immediate suburbs of Bordeaux. The venue, which prided itself in its status as the northernmost bullring in the world, was known as \u003Ci\u003EPlaza de Goya. \u003C\/i\u003EThe “temporary” \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-uiyPFeLgrUk\/T2FJzhfgd0I\/AAAAAAAAA9U\/5gpEaJI33oI\/s1600\/Ar%25C3%25A8nes%2Bde%2BFloirac.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E7,000-capacity structure\u003C\/a\u003E remained in place for almost 20 years (!), before being auctioned off for 35,000 euros in November 2006.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe stands are now used in Fenouillet, to the north of Toulouse, although, at the time of writing, the Floirac arena was still visible on the GoogleMaps satellite picture of the area (right). The arena most definitely is no more though: apartments have now been built in its place and, as in Le Bouscat, the name of the building is a clear reference to the bullring history of its location: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.aquitanisphere.com\/121-logements-livres-a-floirac-.htm?ob=a\u0026amp;act_id=66\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ERésidence Plaza de Goya\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-DUozTtIl4XY\/T29bph9hSxI\/AAAAAAAAAck\/HHPbumdMr-g\/s640\/026-ArenesFloirac2.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PzG20xrCsNI\/T29bSXZg6eI\/AAAAAAAAAcc\/QSEUSAAMqFQ\/s1600\/026-ArenesFloirac1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PzG20xrCsNI\/T29bSXZg6eI\/AAAAAAAAAcc\/QSEUSAAMqFQ\/s640\/026-ArenesFloirac1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMeanwhile, in 1999, some 20 kilometres to the south of Bordeaux the small town of La Brède (the birthplace of the writer and thinker \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/search\/label\/Montesquieu\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMontesquieu\u003C\/a\u003E) began hosting well-attended bullfighting meetings as part of wider festivities known as \u003Ci\u003Ela Fête de la Rosière\u003C\/i\u003E in a temporary structure on an expanse of land known as \u003Ci\u003EPré de l’Espérance\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--QSe27xm-7A\/T2Tt1_qhU2I\/AAAAAAAAAa0\/Lo_ExbvT7yQ\/s1600\/026-ArenesBr%25C3%25A8de2.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--QSe27xm-7A\/T2Tt1_qhU2I\/AAAAAAAAAa0\/Lo_ExbvT7yQ\/s640\/026-ArenesBr%25C3%25A8de2.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor a time around 2004, as had already been the case in 1989, there was even talk of a permanent bullfighting venue being built in La Brède, whose mayor Michel Dufranc is a bullfighting enthusiast. But the project was not deemed financially viable by the prospective Spanish investors, who also backed out of a competing project in Floirac, no doubt to the delight of numerous local animal rights campaigners (such as the \u003Ci\u003ECollectif Girondin Contre les Arènes\u003C\/i\u003E, or COGICA). \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe La Brède festivities continue to take place every last weekend in June. The \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.labrede-montesquieu.fr\/-Fete-de-la-Rosiere-.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ename of the event\u003C\/a\u003E is in reference to the annual crowning (since 1824) of the “\u003Ci\u003ERosière\u003C\/i\u003E” that rewards the town’s “most virtuous young woman” (candidates are all aged 18). The bullfights are generally “\u003Ci\u003Enovilladas\u003C\/i\u003E”, combats between young toreros and young bulls, and the programme also features traditional “\u003Ci\u003Ejeux de vaches landaises\u003C\/i\u003E”, which are mayhem-filled contests that involve men (and sometimes women) running, jumping and employing improvised acrobatics around the ring to avoid getting hurt by visibly annoyed cows. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tFvCVAxueEg\/T2TtODda9RI\/AAAAAAAAAas\/UOLDPBOrHkU\/s1600\/026-ArenesBr%25C3%25A8de1.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"363\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tFvCVAxueEg\/T2TtODda9RI\/AAAAAAAAAas\/UOLDPBOrHkU\/s640\/026-ArenesBr%25C3%25A8de1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EPré de l'Espérance in the foreground, with La Brède's \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EÉ\u003C\/span\u003Eglise St Jean d'\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EÉ\u003C\/span\u003Etampes in the distance.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAt the time of writing, there is talk of the municipally-owned land being used to build a privately-funded and privately-run multi-purpose venue that would incorporate its own dismountable 3,000-capacity bullfighting arena… but the project has not been welcomed with open arms by locals who have thus far been kept in the dark about the finer details of the venture. In the meantime, this is how La Brède goes about transforming the \u003Ci\u003EPré de l’Espérance\u003C\/i\u003E once a year:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/836IZ6mcgu0\" width=\"420\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; Find them on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ll=44.84376,-0.578585\u0026amp;spn=0.017709,0.038581\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe Invisible Bordeaux map\u003C\/a\u003E: 75, Avenue du Président Schuman, Le Bouscat\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003ERue Léo Lagrange, Floirac, Pré de l'Espérance, La Brède\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; Read the French-language memories of two writers recalling events at the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lamonteraquipleure.blogspot.fr\/2010\/05\/contribution-en-forme-de-souvenir.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELe Bouscat\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/al-toro-rey.blogspot.fr\/2012\/03\/souvenirs-froisses-viii.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFloirac\u003C\/a\u003E bullrings.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026gt; And here is British Pathé footage of bullfighting in Bordeaux in 1950:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cul style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E \u003Ciframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EQ8RiPTAtEM\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3255301464755350438\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/03\/bordeaux-bullring-circuit-arenes-du.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/3255301464755350438"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/3255301464755350438"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/03\/bordeaux-bullring-circuit-arenes-du.html","title":"The Bordeaux bullring circuit: Arènes du Bouscat to Floirac and La Brède"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-FpYQIhT5ApY\/T2EALPolvgI\/AAAAAAAAAaM\/3MtxBZHtFDc\/s72-c\/026-ArenesBouscat2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-2450205627700701520"},"published":{"$t":"2012-02-01T21:00:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-03-11T21:10:25.724+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bordeaux"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Girondins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Infrastructure"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stadium"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Stade Bordeaux Atlantique: the next big sporting arena"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ufnIR6FkkUY\/Tx8aY4dUtwI\/AAAAAAAAARM\/ppoeTqq9cVs\/s1600\/017-NewStadium2.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ufnIR6FkkUY\/Tx8aY4dUtwI\/AAAAAAAAARM\/ppoeTqq9cVs\/s200\/017-NewStadium2.jpg\" height=\"111\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIf, at first glance, the photo on the left seems a little dull and uninspiring, that’s possibly because it is, arguably, a dull and uninspiring photo. The subject matter is interesting though… it’s just a case of being in the right place in the wrong year, because come 2015 the view will look something a little more like this:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-R-jihtnFVvc\/Tx8bSoILrII\/AAAAAAAAARc\/Z2pScARBfoI\/s1600\/017-NewStadium4.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-R-jihtnFVvc\/Tx8bSoILrII\/AAAAAAAAARc\/Z2pScARBfoI\/s400\/017-NewStadium4.jpg\" height=\"228\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAt this point in time however, there is little evidence of this land being the future location of an ultra-modern 43,000-seater sporting and entertainment arena. The only tell-tale sign I could make out was a red and white cordon marking off something. Possibly the penalty area of the football pitch… who knows? \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Rxt_iwWdxtM\/Tx8YyzkQI1I\/AAAAAAAAARE\/6FFBm903xao\/s1600\/017-NewStadium.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Rxt_iwWdxtM\/Tx8YyzkQI1I\/AAAAAAAAARE\/6FFBm903xao\/s400\/017-NewStadium.jpg\" height=\"245\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPlans for a new stadium in Bordeaux had been milling around for a number of years. Firstly, football club \u003Ci\u003ELes Girondins de Bordeaux \u003C\/i\u003Ecurrently reside at \u003Ci\u003EStade Chaban-Delmas\u003C\/i\u003E in central Bordeaux, a stadium which has been in operation since 1938 and which is beginning to show its age in these modern times. Then, when in 2010 France was chosen to host the 2016 European football championships, one certainty was that if the city of Bordeaux was to play ball, the new stadium project would have to make the transition from the drawing board to the real world.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn 2011 it was announced that the construction of the new stadium, to be situated in the Bordeaux-Lac district, had been entrusted to a consortium formed by the building companies Vinci (also behind the ongoing construction of the new lifting Bacalan Bastide bridge) and Fayat. The accompanying design was the work of prolific Swiss architects Jacques Herzof and Pierre de Meuron, the people behind the \u003Ci\u003EAllianz Arena\u003C\/i\u003E in Munich, Germany and the “\u003Ci\u003EBird’s Nest\u003C\/i\u003E” Olympic stadium in Beijing, China.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XXNArCO4xCE\/Tx8bVMTPvxI\/AAAAAAAAARs\/dVhcNLG8_s0\/s1600\/017-NewStadium6.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XXNArCO4xCE\/Tx8bVMTPvxI\/AAAAAAAAARs\/dVhcNLG8_s0\/s400\/017-NewStadium6.jpg\" height=\"227\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XXNArCO4xCE\/Tx8bVMTPvxI\/AAAAAAAAARs\/dVhcNLG8_s0\/s1600\/017-NewStadium6.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe stadium, currently known as \u003Ci\u003EStade Bordeaux Atlantique \u003C\/i\u003Ebut likely to be re-named as part of a sponsorship deal, will principally be dedicated to football as it will be the new permanent home of the \u003Ci\u003EGirondins\u003C\/i\u003E. It will also host occasional rugby matches and concerts, as well as offering seminar and conference facilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EGetting to the stadium should be relatively straightforward: extension work on line C of the tram network is in progress, the \u003Ci\u003ERocade \u003C\/i\u003Ering-road is within easy reach… and even cyclists will be well catered-for with dedicated paths and ample bike-parking facilities. Meanwhile, cars will park on the nearby exhibition centre car park, which is currently being totally covered with solar panels!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-3A9ee8f3GXY\/TyMP5g7510I\/AAAAAAAAAR0\/pMXYQPk5d5o\/s1600\/017-NewStadium7.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-3A9ee8f3GXY\/TyMP5g7510I\/AAAAAAAAAR0\/pMXYQPk5d5o\/s400\/017-NewStadium7.jpg\" height=\"247\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FJf-6oTHGqo\/TyMQx1EE-XI\/AAAAAAAAAR8\/9T8zGYKGmKY\/s1600\/017-NewStadium8.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FJf-6oTHGqo\/TyMQx1EE-XI\/AAAAAAAAAR8\/9T8zGYKGmKY\/s400\/017-NewStadium8.jpg\" height=\"192\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe estimated overall cost of the stadium project is €170 million, funded by the French State (€28m), the city of Bordeaux (€17m), the greater Bordeaux authority (€15m), the Aquitaine regional council (€15m) and the \u003Ci\u003EGirondins \u003C\/i\u003Ealong with their owners M6 (an initial outlay of €20m followed by an annual rent of around €4m paid over 30 years and topped up by the city of Bordeaux). Presumably, unlike here, the maths do add up in the official public\/private partnership paperwork! \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe stadium itself is described in architect-speak as being “highly elegant, presenting itself as a prism encasing two pyramids formed by steps and the underside of the stands. The whole structure is supported by a dense forest of slim pillars.” \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-GR5poTrIIQA\/Tx8bTwj1-NI\/AAAAAAAAARk\/pCH3S4ke6mQ\/s1600\/017-NewStadium5.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-GR5poTrIIQA\/Tx8bTwj1-NI\/AAAAAAAAARk\/pCH3S4ke6mQ\/s400\/017-NewStadium5.jpg\" height=\"226\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-EPg5-zdYnZA\/Tx8azscH3nI\/AAAAAAAAARU\/2VcLZplKmac\/s1600\/017-NewStadium3.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-EPg5-zdYnZA\/Tx8azscH3nI\/AAAAAAAAARU\/2VcLZplKmac\/s400\/017-NewStadium3.jpg\" height=\"127\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor the time being though, the only slim pillar-like objects in the vicinity are the streetlights on the neighbouring roundabout, the rosebushes of which are a handy way of locating the site of the future stadium from the air as they form the Bordeaux crescent emblem (a reference to the shape of the Garonne)! Rest assured though, with preliminary work due to commence later in 2012, I will be returning regularly to monitor progress between now and 2015, by which time this is what the mood of the place will be like:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" height=\"203\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailymotion.com\/embed\/video\/xjz32t\" width=\"360\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.dailymotion.com\/video\/xjz32t_le-nouveau-stade-de-bordeaux_sport\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFind it: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;ll=44.907077,-0.568542\u0026amp;spn=0.066018,0.154324\u0026amp;t=h\u0026amp;z=13\u0026amp;vpsrc=6\u0026amp;iwloc=0004b789307c02568e38c\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAvenue de la Jallere, Bordeaux\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECredits: Artist's impressions - Herzog\/De Meuron \/ Video - Ville de Bordeaux\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2450205627700701520\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/stade-bordeaux-atlantique-next-big.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/2450205627700701520"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/2450205627700701520"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/stade-bordeaux-atlantique-next-big.html","title":"Stade Bordeaux Atlantique: the next big sporting arena"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ufnIR6FkkUY\/Tx8aY4dUtwI\/AAAAAAAAARM\/ppoeTqq9cVs\/s72-c\/017-NewStadium2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990702592078012308.post-5079811590472505619"},"published":{"$t":"2011-12-15T23:20:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-02-05T23:17:19.718+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Le Bouscat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Racecourse"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sport"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Suburbs"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hippodrome Bordeaux-Le Bouscat: Days at the races"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-BOAjovJLHW0\/TupkkTidsZI\/AAAAAAAAAEE\/0kD7WFu5jgY\/s1600\/006-hippodrome1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"103\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-BOAjovJLHW0\/TupkkTidsZI\/AAAAAAAAAEE\/0kD7WFu5jgY\/s200\/006-hippodrome1.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003ELess than six kilometres from the centre of Bordeaux, the otherwise residential suburb of Le Bouscat forms the backdrop to the surprisingly green and wide open spaces of the Bordeaux–Le Bouscat racecourse, which hosts 32 horse racing meetings each year… That's the equivalent of some 230 individual races! \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDon’t let the modern grandstand fool you into thinking this 140-acre arena is a recent addition to the sporting landscape of greater Bordeaux. The track was in fact opened in July 1836, taking over the organisation of horse-racing events that had been held, since 1828, at the hastily-conceived and reportedly poorly-designed \u003Ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003EHippodrome de Gradignan \u003C\/i\u003E(the only remnant of which in \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003Emodern-day \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003EGradignan is a road named \u003Ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003EAvenue de l’Hippodrome\u003C\/i\u003E). \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003EIn 1845, arrangements became more formalised with the creation of the \u003Ci\u003ESociété d’Encouragement du Club Bordelais\u003C\/i\u003E, formed by horse racing enthusiasts who were members of the exclusive British-style club, the \u003Ci\u003ECercle Bordelais\u003C\/i\u003E. The society later merged with the \u003Ci\u003ESociété des Steeple-Chases de Bordeaux\u003C\/i\u003E, resulting in the \u003Ci\u003ESociété d’Encouragement de Bordeaux\u003C\/i\u003E, which continues to run the racecourse to this day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QW4-A6ZWqsY\/Tupm0f-iOEI\/AAAAAAAAAEk\/sRedDMgjX_A\/s1600\/006-hippodrome5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"206\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QW4-A6ZWqsY\/Tupm0f-iOEI\/AAAAAAAAAEk\/sRedDMgjX_A\/s400\/006-hippodrome5.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe actual ownership structure though is a touch more complex. The grounds originally belonged to the local Teycheney family who, come 1920, no longer wanted the racecourse on their land. In response, local dignitary the Marquis du Vivier founded the \u003Ci\u003ESociété Anonyme de l’Hippodrome du Bouscat\u003C\/i\u003E (a limited company) and, after joining forces with some like-minded friends, purchased the property, which was subsequently leased back to the \u003Ci\u003ESociété d’Encouragement de Bordeaux\u003C\/i\u003E. Finally, in 2000, the local town council acquired the grounds for a token euro, and the new owners invested heavily in the infrastructure of the racecourse (from the changing and weighing facilities for the jockeys to a revamped “panoramic” restaurant and brasserie).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NvG0y6oNZjI\/TupmcIxOHRI\/AAAAAAAAAEc\/WGb6YIy1kLw\/s1600\/006-hippodrome4.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"240\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NvG0y6oNZjI\/TupmcIxOHRI\/AAAAAAAAAEc\/WGb6YIy1kLw\/s400\/006-hippodrome4.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003EAll three major types of horse racing can be enjoyed at Bordeaux-Le Bouscat: flat racing, steeplechases and harness racing, the latter taking place on a dedicated 1,600-metre-long sand track first installed in 1968. The circumference of the flat-racing track is 2,000 metres while the steeplechase course clocks in at 1,900 metres. The seating capacity of the venue is a relatively modest 1,200, with the main stand holding 600 people. A lowly admission fee of €5.50 is charged to anyone over the age of 14, while those lucky under-14s get in free!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_Dk1VVu_RgM\/Tupk_gcVQ_I\/AAAAAAAAAEM\/RucrB4JoZRk\/s1600\/006-hippodrome2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"118\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_Dk1VVu_RgM\/Tupk_gcVQ_I\/AAAAAAAAAEM\/RucrB4JoZRk\/s400\/006-hippodrome2.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003EInterestingly, the official website promotes its overnight accommodation services for horses that are just passing through, one of the main selling points being the racecourse’s location within easy reach of the \u003Ci\u003ERocade\u003C\/i\u003E, the Bordeaux motorway ring-road. A stable with hay bedding will cost €20 per night, or you can splash out on wood shavings for €30. So plenty to ponder there if you are passing through Bordeaux with a horse... or indeed on horseback!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFind it: \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/goog_1676635809\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.fr\/maps\/ms?msid=210373862037781084851.0004b3333ef977deb2fc8\u0026amp;msa=0\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;ll=44.876218,-0.612745\u0026amp;spn=0.016513,0.038581\u0026amp;t=h\u0026amp;z=15\u0026amp;vpsrc=6\u0026amp;iwloc=0004b4395e6f9d3726a52\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAvenue de l'Hippodrome, Le Bouscat\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003EVisit the official website for further information and full historical background: \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hippodromebordeauxlebouscat.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewww.hippodromebordeauxlebouscat.com\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5079811590472505619\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/days-at-races-hippodrome-bordeaux-le.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/5079811590472505619"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/4990702592078012308\/posts\/default\/5079811590472505619"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/days-at-races-hippodrome-bordeaux-le.html","title":"Hippodrome Bordeaux-Le Bouscat: Days at the races"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tim"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14391698533722905666"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UcnsHmRV-kw\/UZ0tenIa3GI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/xDUWtLpx2mA\/s220\/BB-trams.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-BOAjovJLHW0\/TupkkTidsZI\/AAAAAAAAAEE\/0kD7WFu5jgY\/s72-c\/006-hippodrome1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}}]}});