La Flèche Saint-Michel
La Flèche Saint-Michel
4
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Friday
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
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4.0
417 reviews
Excellent
166
Very good
177
Average
53
Poor
11
Terrible
10
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Raúl N
Antequera, Spain2,267 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
Magnificent construction, hexagonal base, of French flame Gothic. It is the second tallest tower in Europe and little else can be said because it is in the works. I imagine that after the deserved reforms this construction will look in all its glory, until then we will have to wait.
Automatically translated
Written 19 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob K
Joseph, OR19 contributions
Aug 2019
La Fleche is the tallest tower in Bordeaux, so naturally the view is magnificent from the top. You have to climb around 250 narrow stairs to get there though. And it is not in the middle of downtown like the Tour Pey-Berland next to St. André cathedral which looks down on that church. But La Flèche has a fine view too, looking out from windows on the uppermost landing. One used to be able to walk the outer parapet, but it is closed now. Too many jumpers, maybe...
Along the way you see all the dusty old bells of the tower, which must be a trip to hear close-up when they ring. And in the basement there is a creepy video about some mummies that were found there years ago. Price of entry is very reasonable.
Along the way you see all the dusty old bells of the tower, which must be a trip to hear close-up when they ring. And in the basement there is a creepy video about some mummies that were found there years ago. Price of entry is very reasonable.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stevenichay
Crawley, UK108 contributions
July 2018 • Family
When we arrived outside the bell tower there was a strong smell of urine. The tower costs €5 to climb, don’t bother its a waste of time and money. Granted the view is nice but you can only go 47m up.
Written 31 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Turista-Inglesa
Estepona, Spain45,163 contributions
July 2013 • Friends
.
Oh, the Tour St Michel! What memories of the mummies!
Before we get to that, let's say that the tower is well worth a visit, being attractive outside and for a couple of euros (€5 in summer 2013, but included the exhibition below) you can stagger up innumerable steps to get a great view across the city, picking out other landmarks.
But when I was young, a visit to the Tour St Michel included the creepy descent to the crypt, where there were dead people on display. Honest!
In my youth you could pay a few centimes and see and touch (poke!) sixty odd mummies that had been dug up from the old cemetery in the 18th century and were displayed in the crypt, leaning against the walls in the main. Just leaning there.
Real live mummies!
Well, real dead people. Mummified bodies, conserved by the nature of the soil in the cemetery. With their skin shrivelled to their bones, and rags and tatters of clothing in some cases. A favourite visit for all of us kids - you could touch them! In the 80s or 90s they decided that this was inappropriate and took them away for burial again.
In summer 2013, they set up an exhibition in the St Michel crypt, with a short film showing what the original exhibition was like. There is an extract from the guided tour of the 50's with the guide helpfully pointing out that such-and-such a body has only one eyeball in the two eye sockets. See if it is on again this summer.
It'll give you the shivers, and show how tastes - and awareness - has changed in the last 50 years.
And the view from the top is great, too.
.
Oh, the Tour St Michel! What memories of the mummies!
Before we get to that, let's say that the tower is well worth a visit, being attractive outside and for a couple of euros (€5 in summer 2013, but included the exhibition below) you can stagger up innumerable steps to get a great view across the city, picking out other landmarks.
But when I was young, a visit to the Tour St Michel included the creepy descent to the crypt, where there were dead people on display. Honest!
In my youth you could pay a few centimes and see and touch (poke!) sixty odd mummies that had been dug up from the old cemetery in the 18th century and were displayed in the crypt, leaning against the walls in the main. Just leaning there.
Real live mummies!
Well, real dead people. Mummified bodies, conserved by the nature of the soil in the cemetery. With their skin shrivelled to their bones, and rags and tatters of clothing in some cases. A favourite visit for all of us kids - you could touch them! In the 80s or 90s they decided that this was inappropriate and took them away for burial again.
In summer 2013, they set up an exhibition in the St Michel crypt, with a short film showing what the original exhibition was like. There is an extract from the guided tour of the 50's with the guide helpfully pointing out that such-and-such a body has only one eyeball in the two eye sockets. See if it is on again this summer.
It'll give you the shivers, and show how tastes - and awareness - has changed in the last 50 years.
And the view from the top is great, too.
.
Written 2 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DPHPL
Brighton, UK95 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
I think my photos speak for themselves, what a waste of time and money. Most of the 'half way' viewing points overlooking the bustling market were padlocked off due to poor safety and the only area that was available to look over the rooftops was behind mesh and chains. The inside of the tower itself was also meshed off with dirty ropes and other debris obscuring much of the apex. When you looked up you literally got a mouth full of dried pigeon droppings. It was absolutely filthy, there were two broken chairs at the top of the fleche and very little else, certainly no information and or raised footrests for visitors to mount to see the view better. No other facilities on site
Bordeaux tourism should be ashamed to advertise this as one of their 'major' historical monuments on all their advertising and have the cheek to charge 5 euros and then fail to keep it clean and in good order.
Maybe once it is properly restored (as the man at the entry desk said it would be soon) the stairway cleaned from inches of droppings and all the feathers and other droppings removed in the tower itself it may be worth a visit to see Bordeaux's rooftops but for now go up the Pey Berland Gothic Bell Tower at the 'Hotel de Ville' tram stop, it is a far healthier option and you are far less likely to pick up any avian infections.
Bordeaux tourism should be ashamed to advertise this as one of their 'major' historical monuments on all their advertising and have the cheek to charge 5 euros and then fail to keep it clean and in good order.
Maybe once it is properly restored (as the man at the entry desk said it would be soon) the stairway cleaned from inches of droppings and all the feathers and other droppings removed in the tower itself it may be worth a visit to see Bordeaux's rooftops but for now go up the Pey Berland Gothic Bell Tower at the 'Hotel de Ville' tram stop, it is a far healthier option and you are far less likely to pick up any avian infections.
Written 15 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IRWilmDe
Wilmington, DE207 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
On a sunny day well worth the climb. The circular stairs were in surprisingly good condition - not too steep to go both up and down. Solid handrail on right going up and size of steps easily accommodating a size 12 shoe. The depth of steps was comfortable for an adult. The stair corridor was comfortably wide enough for 2 adults to pass (with one turning sideways). With a strong wind blowing I felt dust like particles blowing down the netting at the very top.
Written 6 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland28,818 contributions
Mar 2022
No doubt as the landmark of the Saint-Michel quarter south of Bordeaux 'Centre-Ville' must be considered 'La Flèche' (the arrow), the free standing bell tower of the Basilique Saint-Michel, which can well be seen also from across the Garonne river. When my wife and me were there on a Saturday the Marché Royal just took place on the square in front of it. We could not visit the tower, since as of October 2021 it was closed for a planned period of five years, during which necessary repairs were to be done.
The tower was built in the 15th century, thus in the time of the Flamboyant Gothic style. The construction of the Saint-Michel Basilica was begun a century earlier and it also ended later. It is not common in France that the bell tower is separate from the church to which it belongs, but in Bordeaux it is the case at its two largest churches. Besides the one here also at the Saint-André Cathedral with its Pey-Berland tower, from the 15th century as well, but not half as high.
Measuring 114m the 'Flèche' is the highest church tower in the south of France. In the whole country it comes on 4th place together with the tower of the Sainte-Croix Cathedral in Orleans. Higher are the towers of the cathedrals in Rouen, Strasbourg and Chartres, but they all get beaten by Ulm Minster and Cologne Cathedral in Germany.
The tower was built in the 15th century, thus in the time of the Flamboyant Gothic style. The construction of the Saint-Michel Basilica was begun a century earlier and it also ended later. It is not common in France that the bell tower is separate from the church to which it belongs, but in Bordeaux it is the case at its two largest churches. Besides the one here also at the Saint-André Cathedral with its Pey-Berland tower, from the 15th century as well, but not half as high.
Measuring 114m the 'Flèche' is the highest church tower in the south of France. In the whole country it comes on 4th place together with the tower of the Sainte-Croix Cathedral in Orleans. Higher are the towers of the cathedrals in Rouen, Strasbourg and Chartres, but they all get beaten by Ulm Minster and Cologne Cathedral in Germany.
Written 24 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Syadza A
Jakarta, Indonesia39 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
This is one of the things you need to see while in Bordeaux. Beautiful architecture (need some cleaning up, of course).
The area offers some things to see/do, like a flea market, some shops. It's a quiet area where you can have a walk around and sightseeing.
The area offers some things to see/do, like a flea market, some shops. It's a quiet area where you can have a walk around and sightseeing.
Written 14 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
Wellingborough, UK804 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
St.Michel is one of the major hubs of Bordeaux but, certainly when I was there, appeared to be a lot less visited than the more central sites like St.Andre. This is a shame because to me the vast, irregularly shaped square with its massive gothic church and soaring bell-tower is the most attractive such place in the city. It also boasts convivial restaurants, quirky and friendly bars, colourful flea markets (as well as more general markets) and a laid-back atmosphere.
Le Fleche St.Michel is, I believe, the tallest spire in Bordeaux and it really is the jewel in the crown of this area. It dominates the view from far and wide.
I ate in the excellent Le Passage St Michel and drank in the marvellously eccentric and friendly Il Teatro and, on both occasions, the experience and ambiance was much enhanced by the view of that stately and beautiful spire.
Le Fleche St.Michel is, I believe, the tallest spire in Bordeaux and it really is the jewel in the crown of this area. It dominates the view from far and wide.
I ate in the excellent Le Passage St Michel and drank in the marvellously eccentric and friendly Il Teatro and, on both occasions, the experience and ambiance was much enhanced by the view of that stately and beautiful spire.
Written 13 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bdx1233
Musk, Australia12 contributions
This is a great quartier of Bordeaux. Very central, very historic and currently undergoing major refurbishment. It has a strong immigrant flavour and the shops and restaurants are very cosmopolitan. Lots of students and artists . Lots of bobos now moving in with the Michelois. Don't miss the Marche des Capucins and the Sunday flea market on the Place Maynard.
Written 21 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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