If you look up while strolling along the docks, you can't miss it. The Saint-Michel Spire is 114 meters of stone lace reaching for the sky. This impressive height proudly places it on the podium of the tallest bell towers in France.
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The Spire of Saint-Michel: A Giant Among Giants
In Bordeaux, we love being the best, but here, we must stay humble. The Flèche Saint-Michel is the third tallest spire in France. It gets edged out by the spire of Rouen (151 m, but it’s made of cast iron, so does that really count fully?) and the one in Strasbourg (142 m, the queen of stone). The consolation prize? It’s officially the tallest spire in all of Southern France. A terrestrial lighthouse that truly makes a statement!
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You’ve probably noticed: the Arrow doesn’t actually touch the Basilica. That’s what we call a campanile. Why is that? The ground in Bordeaux is a bit... temperamental (thanks to the Garonne and its swamps). Back in the day, architects were worried that the vibrations from the huge bells would cause the church’s nave to collapse. The result? The bell tower was built off to the side. Clever, right?
The Creepy Yet Fascinating Secret
This is the story that always makes a splash at dinner. Until 1979, the crypt of the Arrow housed… mummies. Seventy bodies, dug up from the neighboring cemetery in the 18th century and naturally preserved by the sandy soil, were standing there, upright. Even Victor Hugo came by to have a little scare. Today, the mummies rest peacefully in the Chartreuse cemetery, but the mystical aura of the place remains.
The Ascent: The Best Spot in Bordeaux
If you have strong stamina, the 230 steps are waiting for you. Once you reach the top, you’ll be immediately wowed: a 360° view of rooftops, historic buildings, bridges, and the meanders of the Garonne.
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The reading tip : Go for the sunset! Watching the golden stone of Bordeaux glow from the top of La Flèche is the kind of moment that reminds us why we love this city so much.
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