In the heart of Bordeaux, a charming historical curiosity stands out: a dog drinking fountain like no other. Set at 3 cours de l'Intendance, this small monument, known as the « Dog's Bar », tells a fascinating story of canine culture and commercial ingenuity in the city.
A canine heritage in Bordeaux
The dog culture of the old days
In the years before the war, Bordeaux buzzed to the rhythm of dog culture. Every Sunday, Place Pey-Berland came alive with the pedigree dog market, a major social event for dog lovers. It was a time when dogs were not only pets, but symbols of status and refinement.
Max Paviot's idea
In the 1950s, Max Paviot, founder of « Bordeaux Stylos » and a leading Waterman pen seller in France, set up shop at 3 cours de l'Intendance. With a sharp marketing sense and a touch of whimsy, he commissioned a dog drinking fountain from the marble workers Valette and Rossi. It was not a simple fountain, but a work of art carved from Norwegian « blue labrador » granite.
A unique design
The Dog's Bar stood out through its elegant design: a short copper spout releasing running water, topped by gilded copper capital letters spelling out « Dog's Bar ». More than a mere water point, it was a symbol of luxury and refinement for Bordeaux dogs.
The inauguration and the commercial impact
The Dog's Bar's inauguration was a grand event, marked by the sound of the hunting horn and the presence of a pack of hounds. It was a spectacle that caught the attention of passers-by, with or without a dog, and left its mark on the city.
Customers who stopped to give their dog a drink often felt compelled to buy a pen at Bordeaux Stylos. As historian Max Baumann jokingly wrote, these customers were Max Paviot's « dog-customers ». It was a clever commercial strategy linking Bordelais' love for their dogs to the act of purchase.
Today, the Dog's Bar remains an emblematic Bordeaux curiosity, testifying to the city's unique history and its love for dogs. This small chic fountain, more than a water point, is a piece of history, a link with Bordeaux's canine past and a charming reminder of its residents' ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit.
WHERE TO FIND THIS CURIOSITY?
3 cours de l'Intendance in Bordeaux
just at the bottom right of the green door
