It is one of the most intriguing sites in Bordeaux. Who has never wondered what was hidden behind the immense neo-baroque facade of Château Descas, on the Quai de Paludate, near the Saint-Jean bridge? Empty shell for sixteen years now, the monument will reopen its doors on December 31, we learned a few days ago. Transformed into a performance hall, Château Descas will host a New Year’s Eve evening “between gastronomy, art of illusion and party” announces the site’s events service.
But what is this Château Descas, “a splendid construction whose gigantic proportions attract all eyes”, as it is described in The Golden Book of the Capitals of the South-West, published in 1907? Inaugurated in 1893, it first housed “the headquarters of the great Descas house” created by the wine merchant Jean Descas (1834-1895). A visionary, who set up his offices and a storage cellar at the end of the 19th century, just a stone’s throw from the Saint-Jean train station – inaugurated in 1898 – from where he could ship his wine, when the entire wine merchant sector remains largely confined to Chartrons.
Cellars capable of holding 1.5 million bottles
“This hotel is a real palace, which measures 138 meters in length (…) built for the wine trade (…) with its cellars, its cooperage and various rooms relating to the care to be given to the wine” continues Le Golden Book. “The cellars are huge and contain racks that can hold 1.5 million bottles.” Maison Descas had made a specialty of “the sale of white wine which, now as well as red wine, makes the glory of Bordeaux with Château Yquem, Sigalas, Rabaud, etc…”
On the death of Jean Descas, his son Camille took over the reins of the business, which ended in the 1970s. It was not until 2001 that Château Descas found a little life again, by welcoming Caesar’s, nightclub located at Hangar 7 and which is then looking for a new destination. The experiment was short-lived and ended in 2003.
Long legal battle with Bordeaux town hall
Other nocturnal experiences follow one another, also of short duration. The building was then transformed into offices and ceased to accommodate any activity in 2008. A long legal battle then began between the new owner SCI Descas and the Bordeaux town hall, then headed by Alain Juppé. It was indeed the municipality which had taken out the lease to rent it to the owner of Caesar’s. Problem: unplanned work was carried out during this period and potentially weakened the building. The town hall was convicted in 2018 to pay 250,000 euros to the owner of the SCI, Denis Merlaut.
Bought by three Bordeaux entrepreneurs, Philippe Foix, Éric Abidat and David Ducourneau, Château Descas will this time be transformed into a performance hall, after a little over a year of work, with the aim of “preserving the character and the original charm. » On the program: a 630-seat room “with a Roaring Twenties theater atmosphere” with a varied program (music, theater, dance, etc.)
In the meantime, Château Descas is planning an evening on December 31 with “cocktail dinner prepared by a gourmet chef”, “mentalism and humor show”, and live music. The “Grand evening” formula, including the entire evening with the New Year’s menu, is offered at 320 euros, and the “The day after” formula (from 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.) at 90 euros. More information at [email protected].