Pey Berland tower

Once you arrive at the back of the cathedral, you’ll be facing its bell tower, the famous Pey Berland tower, named after the archbishop of Bordeaux in office at the time it was built. It is quite unusual to see a belfry separated from its cathedral! Indeed, due to the instability of Bordeaux’s marshy soils, it wasn’t possible to built foundations strong enough to support the weight of a cathedral with such a belfry. Especially as it was designed to hold 4 heavy bells, which ultimately took two centuries to be assigned to it! It should be noted that when Pey Berland started building the belfry in 1440, he was at the head of a bishopric affiliated to the English crown. But 13 years later, the Battle of Castillon brought an end to the Hundred Years’ War, and unfortunately Bordeaux found itself on the losing side. The kingdom of France therefore did not make it a priority to provide the tower with its own bells, which would not arrive until the 19th century. In the meantime, the tower was used as a residence and then, as a lead factory during the Revolution ! Today, the 4 bells are still there, and the tenor bell, named Ferdinand-André, weighs over 8 tonnes, exceeding the weight of the Big Bell of Bordeaux. Lift your eyes and see the Notre-Dame statue at the top of the spire. This monumental work of gilded copper weighs over a tonne and looks towards Saint-Raphaël, a village in the Avensan municipality, where the bishop was born. Pey Berland, wherever he may be, must be very touched by the gesture. If you fancy a more spectacular view of the city, there are two 40 and 50 metres high terraces, , just a few steps away.