Bordeaux and the Quinconces fountains

Opening onto the Garonne, the Place des Quinconces is one of the largest squares in Europe. Its great monument, built between 1894 and 1902 under the Third Republic and known as the Girondins monument, above all celebrates the Republic: at the top of the column, Liberty breaks her chains; at its foot, two great bronze fountains depict the Triumph of the Republic, with its chariot drawn by sea horses, and the Triumph of Concord. Under the Occupation, in 1943, these bronzes were taken down to be melted for the occupying forces; spared, they only returned in 1983.

The series moves in close to these bronzes, turned green by time: winged Liberty against the blue sky, a laurel-crowned figure rising from the fountain, horses and cherubs among the splashes. The last photo leaves the square for the table: cannelés, Bordeaux's little cakes, with a caramelised crust and a soft centre, flavoured with rum and vanilla.

These royalty-free photos suit stories about Bordeaux, sculpture, the history of the Republic or pastry, and can be downloaded for free on Pexels.