The 'Esplanade des Quinconces' is a huge promenade that takes up more than 12 hectares in the heart of Bordeaux by the river 'la Garonne'. While I was in Bordeaux a famous circus was visiting the city and they could not have found a better place to set it up. Thousands of families with children were standing in the line to see the acrobats and clowns. At the other side of the 'Esplanade' sit the two Rostrale Columns.