Over recent weeks we had asked for photos that captured an unusual sight or scene in and around Bordeaux. On Thursday July 4th, a select gathering assessed 25 submissions and the winning photo is this one by Clacla des Bois. It shows a familiar sight, the two 21-metre-high rostral columns which have watched over the Esplanade des Quinconces since 1829, as viewed from an unfamiliar angle: instead of the wide, open space of the Esplanade, they are peeking through a blanket of trees, making for an unusual urban forest!
The figures at the top of each column respectively symbolise trade and navigation. Meanwhile, the Esplanade des Quinconces, named after the sequences in which the trees on either side were originally planted (four trees forming a square with a fifth in the middle), is often the scene of funfairs, circuses, specialist markets and concerts. The square only took its present form in the 19th century. Until its demolition in 1818 it was here that a fortified castle, Château Trompette, had kept watch over the city for more than 300 years.
Five other photos were ranked just behind Clacla des Bois’s fine piece. They were:
This upside-down take on the Miroir d’Eau by Michelle F.:
These cemetery watering cans (complete with 1-euro deposit system) by Invisible Bordeaux (!):
This interesting contrast between urban exploration and an elegant, comfortable chair:
This sinking feeling captured by Julien Reynaud at the Bassins à Flot:
Joël Decaup’s picture of one of the Esplanade des Quinconces columns and an apparent exchange between the figure representing navigation and “Speedy”, a Mexican funfair character.
Again, a big shout out to everyone who submitted a picture and to everyone who helped with the complex judging process!