Bordeaux Map Poster: The Garonne Crescent

Why this city works as a poster

The Garonne traces a curve in front of Bordeaux so regular that it gave the city its nickname, the port of the Moon. On a map that curve does all the compositional work: it crosses the poster diagonally and separates two different urban fabrics, the dense old left bank and the looser right bank.

Recommended framing

A 6 to 7 km frame is enough: any wider and the curve flattens out and loses its effect. Set the poster in portrait and place the curve diagonally rather than horizontally, which makes the composition noticeably more dynamic.

Which theme to pick

Light themes work well here, unlike in Paris: the Bordeaux fabric is less dense, streets stay distinct on a light ground, and the river keeps its legibility.

Where to centre the map

Place de la Bourse

On the left bank at the deepest point of the curve: a good centring point.

Chartrons

A regular grid in bands parallel to the river, very legible in fine linework.

Bastide

Right bank, more open: useful to balance a poster that is too heavy on the left.