Private Pool & Garden — Historic Townhouse, Bordeaux Centre

Description

Rarely does a city-centre property offer genuine sanctuary. This exceptional 19th-century limestone townhouse sits in the heart of Bordeaux's UNESCO World Heritage district — walking distance to the Grand Théâtre, Place de la Bourse, the Garonne riverfront, and the celebrated restaurants and wine bars of the Chartrons — yet the moment you step through the carved green front door, the city falls entirely away. Behind the house lies a fully walled private garden that feels worlds apart from the street: a full-length swimming pool set in limestone paving, a turf lawn, mature bamboo and shade trees, a covered terrace, and multiple outdoor dining and lounging zones. There are no overlooking neighbours, no traffic noise — just a genuinely quiet, private oasis where children can play freely, academics can think, and families can decompress at the end of the day. Bordeaux's Atlantic climate means the pool and garden are in full use from April through October. The property was taken to the studs within the last five years and fully renovated — new plumbing, new electrical, bespoke contemporary interiors — while preserving every element of its irreplaceable 19th-century fabric. The original wrought-iron staircase sweeps up from an entry hall laid in bold encaustic cement tiles, flanked by exposed limestone walls and deep-navy boiserie panelling. The ground floor flows from a formal salon with wood-burning fireplace through to a spectacular glass-and-steel kitchen extension, topped with double skylights and opening directly onto the garden. The kitchen is bespoke: sage-green cabinetry, terrazzo countertops, brass hardware, double ovens, and a signature hand-crafted oak arched room divider. Five bedrooms across two floors, each with high ceilings, tall windows, and original or new herringbone oak floors. The primary suite faces south with a French balcony and a private en-suite: terrazzo floors, soaking tub, rainfall shower, double vessel sinks, and twin arched mirrors. A second upstairs bathroom and ground-floor shower room serve the remaining bedrooms. Set within the walled garden with its own private entrance, the guest house is entirely self-contained: a double bedroom opening to the pool terrace, a full bathroom with Zellige sage tile, and a kitchenette. Bordeaux is consistently ranked among the most liveable cities in France. The University of Bordeaux, CHU de Bordeaux, and INSERM campuses are accessible by tram within minutes. Saint-Émilion is under an hour by car, the Atlantic coast just over an hour, and Paris two hours by TGV. The immediate neighbourhood is walkable to morning markets, restaurants, the Grand Théâtre, and the vibrant café culture of the Chartrons. This property is particularly well suited to a physician or clinical fellow at CHU de Bordeaux; an academic on sabbatical at the University of Bordeaux or Sciences Po; a researcher at INSERM or INRAE; or a professional family seeking an immersive year in France with space for children, an au pair, and visiting family. 5 bedrooms · 3 bathrooms · Private pool · Walled garden · Guest house · 2-car garage · WiFi included · Available September 2026 · $8,000 USD/month, negotiable based on lease length and terms · Bilingual lease available