Information
Landmark: Pey Berland TowerCity: Bordeaux
Country: France
Continent: Europe
Pey Berland Tower, Bordeaux, France, Europe
Overview
Rising above the city, the Pey-Berland Tower stands as one of Bordeaux’s most recognizable landmarks, its stone walls catching the afternoon sun.It rises beside the Bordeaux Cathedral-Saint-André’s weathered stone towers-anchoring itself firmly in the city’s rich tapestry of history and architecture.From its ancient stones to the quiet echo of church bells, the tower holds centuries of history, deep spiritual meaning, and sweeping views across all of Bordeaux.Let’s take a closer look at the tower-its weathered bricks catch the afternoon light: 1.The Pey-Berland Tower rose from the ground between 1440 and 1500, its stone walls slowly taking shape over six decades.They built it as a bell tower for the Saint-André Cathedral after the old one, with its cracked stone steps, was deemed unsafe.They chose to build a separate tower so both the cathedral and its heavy, echoing bells would stay safe and steady.The tower takes its name from Berland de Castillon, the Archbishop of Bordeaux when it was built, a time when the scent of fresh-cut stone lingered in the air.The name “Pey-Berland” blends “Pey,” meaning “hill” in Gascon-a nod to its perch high above the streets-with “Berland,” in honor of the archbishop.The tower went up in the late Gothic period, its pointed arches and stone tracery designed to mirror the style of the cathedral next door.The tower played a key role in a wider push to strengthen Bordeaux’s religious and civic identity in the late Middle Ages, standing tall above the market square as a proud marker of the city’s spirit.Number two sat there in bold, like a door waiting to be opened.The Pey-Berland Tower rises 50 meters, or 164 feet, its spire catching the light-a striking example of Gothic design.With its octagonal base and razor-straight lines, it cuts a bold silhouette that rises high above the rooftops in the heart of the city.The tower rises beneath a pyramid-shaped roof topped with a lantern that once held a massive bell.Along its façade, carved saints and biblical figures stand frozen in stone, their robes rippling as if caught in a sudden breeze.They were meant to be both beautiful and meaningful, adding weight to the tower’s spiritual role.The bell chamber, packed with several heavy bronze bells, once rang out to summon worshippers and mark the town’s big moments.Inside, a narrow, winding staircase-229 steps in all-spirals upward to the very top.The climb is steep, but reaching the top brings sweeping views of the city-the honey-colored rooftops of Bordeaux’s historic center, the curve of the Garonne River, and the green hills beyond.Long ago, the bell chamber held several heavy bronze bells that rang out the hours, called people to Mass, and marked each important religious occasion.The “Great Bell” held special importance, marking key dates in Bordeaux’s religious and civic calendar-its deep chime might signal a feast day or a city gathering.In the 15th century, people saw the tower as a proud emblem of Bordeaux’s power and wealth.Its tall stone silhouette still anchored the city’s skyline.Over time, the tower became a symbol of the city itself-its faith, its pride-rising like a stone sentinel over the market square.Number four.Today, you can climb the Pey-Berland Tower’s 229 narrow stone steps and, once at the top, take in a sweeping view of Bordeaux’s rooftops and winding streets.You can see the Place de la Bourse, the Pont de Pierre, and the Garonne River glinting in the sunlight.On a clear day, you can look past the edge of the city and spot rolling fields stretching into the distance.Visitors can step inside the tower and explore it on guided tours, walking past stone walls that still feel cool from the morning air.On these tours, you’ll hear the stories behind the tower, the cathedral, and the nearby streets, where old stone walls still hold the afternoon sun.Visitors can explore the tower’s carved stone arches, discover how it was built, and understand its role in shaping Bordeaux’s religious and civic life.You’ll find the Pey-Berland Tower right beside Bordeaux Cathedral in Place Pey-Berland, at the very heart of the city’s historic center, where stone streets echo underfoot.You can reach it on foot from many spots around the city-just a short stroll past cafés and shopfronts.Five.In the end, the Pey-Berland Tower stands as both a stunning feat of architecture and a proud emblem of Bordeaux’s rich cultural and religious past, its stones weathered smooth by centuries of wind and rain.With its Gothic arches, soaring height, and deep roots in the city’s past, it’s a landmark you can’t miss.Whether you’re drawn to the story behind the old church bells, the soaring lines of its Gothic spire, or the sweep of rooftops you can see from the top, the Pey-Berland Tower lets you step into Bordeaux’s past while taking in its present all at once.
