I'm sure you have already heard of, or even walked, « rue du Palais Gallien » (a street running from rue Fondaudège towards Place Gambetta).⠀
Beyond the remains still visible of this vast Gallo-Roman amphitheatre and the historical interest they hold, there is, at the bottom of rue du Colisée, PLACE GALIÈNE, which holds a curiosity: its steps are carved with a Latin text…⠀
A plaque on site explains its meaning:⠀
« You are here at the centre of the arena. Mysterious, ancient, romantic by turns, the ruins of the Palais Gallien have crossed fifteen centuries of history on the edge of the city. Yet in 1793, having become national property, subdivided by the city, Bordeaux decided to destroy the last remains of the Gallo-Roman city.⠀
The Palais Gallien holds out.⠀
Today made invisible to our eyes, at the back of courtyards, inside houses, above the rooftops, from rue du Docteur Albert Barraud to rue du Palais Gallien, from rue Fondaudège to rue Émile Fourcand, its walls still emerge, heroic. »⠀
Next time you pass by, take a look.
