Bordeaux is a city that lives as much in its stone facades as it does in a glass of well-aged wine. While the region is globally celebrated for its vineyards, the cultural heart of the city beats within its museums. From repurposed warehouses to grand classical palaces, the museum scene here offers a surprising depth that goes far beyond a simple afternoon activity.
Visiting these institutions allows you to understand why Bordeaux earned its UNESCO World Heritage status. They preserve not just art, but the maritime history, the tragedy of the slave trade, and the scientific curiosities that shaped modern France. Whether you are dodging rain showers or seeking a quiet escape from the summer heat, these spaces offer a serene refuge.
For travelers, the practical value of Bordeaux’s museums is immense. Many are located within walking distance of each other in the historic center, making them easy to weave into a day of sightseeing. They provide context to the architecture you are walking past, turning a simple stroll down the quays into a historical journey.
Families will find that Bordeaux is surprisingly accommodating to younger visitors. Several venues offer interactive exhibits that explain complex subjects like natural history or optical illusions in engaging ways. It is a city where education feels like play, and where the line between a science center and an art gallery is often blurred.
Because the city is a hub for students and creatives, the curation is often dynamic and contemporary. You will find avant-garde installations sitting comfortably next to Roman relics. This juxtaposition makes the museum circuit here feel vibrant rather than static, appealing to both traditional art lovers and modern cultural vultures.
To help you navigate the best of the city’s offerings, we have curated a list of the most compelling spaces to visit. These are the places that offer the richest stories, the most impressive architecture, and the highest value for your time and money.
Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts
| Address | 20 Cr d'Albret, 33000 Bordeaux |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 56 10 20 56 |
I was suprisingly amazed by the collection they possess! The variety of the paintings as well as how they organized everything is pretty much what I would like to see in a museum! The staff is amazingly friendly! And what else shoudl I say? You should go and for sure you will enjoy it! It is quite diverse as well as majestic! You will tha k me later! I am so grateful to have passed by!
Wonderful building and galleries. Because it is a small space overall, it is not overwhelming, and a great place to visit.
However, having 2 toilet cubicles for the entire complex is a bit mad. There was a big queue of men and women when we visited. Goodness knows what it will be like in July/August
Great museum with a good variety of exhibitions. While not the most famous, all the paintings are of good representation of the era and quite a few local artists.
Love this fine art musuem
Lots of arts to see! Make sure you save at least an hour or two to enjoy the art and get lost in the colours!
A nice regional museum. They don’t have the first class art of the Musee d Orsay, but they don’t have the crowds either.
They have some very good paintings and the space is very good
All in all worth it
Muséum de Bordeaux
| Address | 5 Pl. Bardineau, 33000 Bordeaux |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 24 57 65 30 |
Worth popping in if using City Card and near Jardin Publc (which has great orangery tea roon bye the way) its a modern take on Victorian taxidermy displays albeait with more science background now.
Such a tasteful, little museum. We had a great time here and everything was so well designed. There coukd have been more information about the animals on the boards, but it was very insightful either way. Also, the guides for the children's tours were very friendly and creative. A ticket for students was only €2 and totally worth it.
A very 'WoW' museum to visit. The exterior of the museum makes you feel like it's just a normal museum like the rest. But this museum, solidly fantastic. It's level 1 was already stunning when you were greeted by camels and elephants. It's already a wow when you enter the museum. Level 2 is just as fantastic when you were greeted by life liked Deer and wolf. The exhibits were very interesting and most of the stuff was unknown to me personally. It increases my knowledge a lot. Level 3 is the best. The wow factor was maximized when you see it with your own eyes. It was spectacular! The huge exhibits greets you with life and friendliness when you enter. Take tour time to look through all individual exhibits.
A great place to bring your kids and expose them to all the individual species.
What a cool little museum, my husband and I really enjoyed our visit. I liked how it was laid out, and I learned a lot from the second floor exhibit about natural life in the coastal areas.
This is a very special newly renovated natural history museum, which is very modern and has an extensive collection of animal, bird and fish species. The guides are super helpful and will provide a truly educational experience to you. The location is a mansion from the 1700’s that has been exquisitely restored. The original floors and many architectural structures are well preserved. The vast collection is grouped in interesting ways on different levels. On one of the floors it’s animals are displayed by continent, on another it’s grouped by how the creatures eat. The bird collections are amazing along with explanation of evolution. The polar bear, whale, camel and giraffe are a treat. One of the finest natural history museums we have toured.
Musée d'Aquitaine
| Address | Tram ligne B/arrêt musée d’Aquitaine, 20 Cr Pasteur, 33000 Bordeaux |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 56 01 51 00 |
Absolutely superb museum, full of interactive exhibits and original artifacts. You can easily spend 3 - 5 hours here discovering the history of Bordeaux across millenia. From prehistory to the Roman era and medieval France with its fascinating encounter with the UK, I was impressed by its huge range of statues, pots, amphora, metal objects and variety of display. If you are English or Spanish speaking, each descriptive plaque is available in these languages as well as French.
Upstairs, the history of the port, including a sensitive look at the slave trade is both challenging and beautifully staged. The growth of the city is explored right up to the modern day.
I have rarely enjoyed a museum as much as this one and, on a week day, in school term time, I was one of only a handful of visiters. A very accessible six euro entry fee means this is a comprehensive introduction to the city and its place in France and the wider world.
Go. You will not be disappointed. Tram B takes you directly there.
It takes 2 hours to cover fully at least. Interesting museum with ancient artifacts. But boring for kids but nice to discover the human evolution. Recommended
Roman hall is amazing. We made a self-guided tour to identify gods and goddesses. Made it a quest with AI and loved it.
Excellent museum. Extensive collection and a thoughtfully curated display - doesn't feel overwhelming at all. Possibility to take a break in the inner yard. Very friendly staff. Would certainly recommend!
Don’t miss it !
A very pleasant journey from prehistory to modern times in Bordeaux and the Aquitaine region. You can do the whole thing in one hour if you don’t like staying long in a museum. Or you can spend several hours. It is beautifully set up. With activities and audio for small children.
Cité du Vin
| Address | 134 Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 56 16 20 20 |
Great experience. Never seen before kind of a Wine museum. The entry fee is €27 which includes wine tasting also. You get educated about wine and its history in a complete modernized way with the help of technology. One atleast needs 2.5 to 3 hrs minimum to cover everything. Wine gets served at the deck (last floor) which is more like an observatory deck and can almost see the whole city from there.
This was a fantastic museum. One of the best multi-sensory museum experiences I’ve had. They had things to smell, things to touch, great videos, and a fantastic audio guide on most of the exhibits. We spent a little over two hours in the main hall and then an hour in the tasting through the seasons experience. We actually could have spent another two hours in the main hall but had to leave. My advice: do a quick pass through the entire main hall up front so you get a sense for where you want to spend your time. It’s easy to spend too much time in one part and then be sad you didn’t get more time in some of the cooler parts. Also, I’d only recommend the tasting through the seasons if you’re interested in wine but don’t know much about it. If you’re the type of person who says “this tastes like a red wine” for example. If you’re already kind of a wino I’d skip it and spend more time in the main hall or try the other sit down wine tasting (which we didn’t do).
Firstly, this was a fantastic exhibition - well structured, very interesting, and many different ways to interact with the learnings.
I was disappointed by the use of AI pictures for the six wine families, it’s not like there aren’t many photos of different bottles and glasses of wine already.
Additionally the wine (tried the white wine from Bordeaux) that was included in the ticket was simply bad and straight up too cold. When the team recommends the German wine in the Bordeaux wine museum that speaks for itself.
La Cité du Vin, hoisted majestically within one of the wine capitals of the world did not fail in meeting my expectations for the museum exhibition. The exhibition featured immersive multimedia Installations that allow visitors to learn all they need to know about wine in an interactive way. Ending the permanent exhibition was the complimentary glass of wine to enjoy while taking in the panoramic views of Bordeaux. Such a delightful experience.
A nice museum to learn about the history of wine. The museum shop is excellent and worth a visit on its own. We also joined a wine education session, which was enjoyable but felt a bit basic considering Bordeaux's reputation as a wine capital. Still, it's a good place to visit, especially if it's your first time in Bordeaux.
Bassins des Lumières
| Address | Imp. Brown de Colstoun, 33300 Bordeaux |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 35 00 00 90 |
Magical. No other word. The best part is how the city of Bordeaux used an old bomb manufacturing place to a beautiful, joyful, immersive playground. And I watched Le petit prince which was heaven!!
The experience was amazing.
Usually these type of illumination exhibitions are held in basic buildings.
But this one is an old submarine base, so the water and the scale of the building provides a different experience.
We had the pleasure to see the Frida Kahlo and Henri Matisse exhibition.
It was brilliant!!!
This place has a lot a historic importance. But what they have done to this structure now is simply unbelievable. You need to pay an entry fee of €16. The show inside is for an hour or so.
Inside Bassins des Lumières, the ocean doesn’t just surround you—it breathes. This former submarine base, all concrete muscle and industrial history, becomes something else entirely when light, water, and sound take over. An art installation about the sea plays across massive walls, but the real magic happens below, where the reflections ripple across the water and double everything. It’s hypnotic. Disarming. The kind of beauty that sneaks past your defenses and hits somewhere deeper than you expected.
You stand there, quietly, watching waves made of light move across the surface, and for a moment the noise of the outside world shuts up. The reflections feel alive—soft, endless, almost emotional. Even the hardest soul, the most cynical observer, would have trouble not feeling something here. This isn’t an exhibition you rush through. It asks you to slow down, to let the ocean do what it has always done best: remind you how small you are, and why that’s not such a bad thing.
A practical note, because romance doesn’t excuse logistics: get parking sorted beforehand. The place draws crowds, and circling the area looking for a spot pulls you right out of the spell before you even walk in. Plan ahead, arrive calm, and let the water and light do their work.
This isn’t just digital art. It’s atmosphere. Memory. A quiet, immersive experience that lingers long after you step back into the streets of Bordeaux, still seeing waves where there are none.
Wonderful experience that fully immersed us into the beauty of ancient egyptian art! The visuals were spectacular and the music well chosen. Great use of an old submarine base.
Museum of Illusions Bordeaux
| Address | 4 Rue Bonnaffé, 33000 Bordeaux |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 57 30 74 83 |
The museum had an electricity outage, and while I understand that this is out of their hands I found it absurd to hear we are not getting our online booked tickets refunded. The only solution seems to be getting a new ticket within a year in the Bordeaux museum, while I live in the Netherlands and this was an activity we booked for our one week holiday. I cannot just drive 17 hours for a museum, spending hundreds of euros in gas and toll, for something that we did not cause. As I believe there is a European law that obligates companies to provide suitable solutions if something is cancelled on their end (even if it is outside of their control too). We even proposed tickets for the Paris museum, because that is 3 hours by train and is therefore more doable - but this was also denied. We lost 80 euro and saw nothing, and have nothing. Abysmal and an absolute atrocity. But I am sure it would have been great if we actually had been able to see anything or been met with some compassion. 🙄 anyway do not buy your ticket in advance because if they close you lose your money clearly.
A very cool place to take children. Depending on their age will determine just how much of the exhibit they will enjoy. That being said, kids 5+ will find something interesting. It's a pretty cool museum to visit!
We visited as a family - 2 adults, 6 kids over 4, and a baby - and had a blast with all the illusions. The one disappointment is that it's all over within about 40 minutes.
The highlight was the insane rotating tunnel. Crazy stuff it does to your head!!
Very interactive museum, designed mostly for kids. However, I went with a friend, both of us grown adults, and we had a lot of fun. The vortex tunnel was veeeery trippy, definitely our favorite highlight
Brillant .well worth the trip .kids and adults. We all enjoyed it .great fun .
CAPC Musée d'art Contemporain de Bordeaux
| Address | 7 Rue Ferrere, 33000 Bordeaux |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 56 00 81 50 |
It was interesting to get immersed in such a nice museum! It felt that some exhibitions did not touch me but J believe I am happy to have passed by! I absolutely enjoyed the friendly staff ready to take new questions from you! Anyway, I have to say that I am dtrict.with Contemporary Art!
This place is a jewel in Bordeaux's crown. But to enjoy it you need an open mind. Passing through the entrance, the green lights tell you that this museum shows things differently. Over three floors and several exhibitions, you can see interesting and thought-provoking works. This is also true of the architecture exhibition. Highly recommended
I went with my wife for a long weekend trip from Spain to Bordeaux. We decided to visit this museum. We loved the architecture/design exposition they offer. Very very interesting. But the one of Rammellzee we didn't like it at all. Staff at the entrance was extremely nice. Bathrooms, exposition rooms and rest of the building are really well taken care of. We'ld go back.
An Absolute Architectural Masterpiece Hosting Bold, Polarizing Contemporary Art — A Must-Visit in Bordeaux
If you are visiting Bordeaux and want a break from classical 18th-century limestone facades and wine tastings, the CAPC (Musée d’Art Contemporain) in the historic Chartrons district is an absolute essential stop. However, to fully appreciate it, you need to understand exactly what you are walking into: this is a place where the container (the building itself) is just as spectacular—if not more so—than the content.
Long before you even look at a single piece of art, the architecture will take your breath away. The museum is housed inside the Entrepôt Lainé, a massive, heritage-listed 19th-century former colonial warehouse built in 1824 to store commodities like sugar, coffee, and cocoa.
The renovation by architects Denis Valode and Jean Pistre, alongside the legendary interior designer Andrée Putman, is a masterclass in adaptive reuse. The contrast between the rugged, monumental stone arches, exposed brickwork, and dark timber beams against the hyper-minimalist, sleek concrete and glass interventions is stunning. Walking through the sweeping, cathedral-like spaces feels deeply atmospheric, solemn, and historic all at once.
The CAPC is one of France's oldest and most prestigious contemporary art institutions, and its approach to curation is unapologetically bold, experimental, and deeply conceptual. The Grand Central Nave is the beating heart of the museum, routinely hosting massive, site-specific immersive installations that completely transform the space. Historically, icons like Keith Haring and Richard Long created legendary works here. Depending on when you visit, you might walk into a mind-bending minimalist landscape or a massive, avant-garde multi-media display.
The second floor houses parts of their permanent collection featuring heavyweights like Sol LeWitt, Daniel Buren, and Annette Messager. The rest of the museum rotates frequently with cutting-edge temporary exhibitions that often focus on emerging international artists, socio-political narratives, and modern economic or identity themes.
Contemporary art is highly subjective. If your idea of art centers strictly on classical oil paintings or realism, some rooms here might puzzle or frustrate you. You will encounter spaces with a single conceptual object, abstract video loops, or minimalist setups where the artwork relies heavily on its context. If you keep an open mind and read the provided booklets, the intellectual experience is incredibly rewarding.
To make the most of your visit, take advantage of the portable wooden stools provided at the entrance. The galleries are vast, and taking a seat to absorb the scale of the architecture and the art makes the experience much more comfortable. Because the curation leans heavily into the conceptual side, do not skip the exhibition guides. The labels on the walls are sparse, so having the booklet open is the key to unlocking why a piece of art is significant.
If you are budgeting, admission is completely free on the first Sunday of the month, except during July and August. It can get busy, so arriving early is smart. Make sure to head up to the top floor to view the grand nave from above for an incredible perspective. There is also a brilliant library and documentation center that art enthusiasts will lose hours in, and the terrace spaces offer a peaceful, elevated pocket away from the bustling quays.
Situated at 7 Rue Ferrère, it is incredibly easy to reach. You can take the Tram B and hop off right at the CAPC stop, which drops you just a short walk from the entrance near the Garonne River. It blends perfectly into a day of exploring the trendy Chartrons neighborhood.
Whether you fall in love with every exhibition or leave debating what constitutes art, the CAPC succeeds at what contemporary art museums do best: it makes you think, it sparks conversation, and it places cutting-edge human creativity inside a breathtaking piece of living history. Absolutely worth the modest entry fee.
Short walk from line B CAPC tram stop, and worth looking in to experience the art installations and architecture rooms. Trying a little too hard to be meaningful imho but fun. Still free with City Card so why not.
Musée National des Douanes
| Address | 1 Pl. de la Bourse, 33000 Bordeaux |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 09 70 27 57 66 |
The ticket is cheap. There are no artifacts of significance in this museum, they're either reproductions or not worth much. The path is well designed and easy to follow. The first (historical) part wasn't very well designed, as the explanations were very repetitive. There is a brief part about counterfeit items, measurement tools, costumes, movies, etc. All in all it's actually quite comprehensive about customs, although the topic is rather niche. I understand that the museum is hosted in an old customs-related building, but I feel that the space should be used for a higher impact purpose. Bordeaux is a touristic city and this is prime real estate but the museum isn't a prime destination, and really not a good fit for foreigners. This museum should be relocated and the space repurposed.
A lot more intetesting than one would expect and free with City Card. From Royal dues to modern contraband the history is fascinating.
When in Bordeaux and you want something a little different (and the musee de l’imprimerie that I really wanted to visit is closed) then go and visit the French customs and excise museum. Spoiler alert this isn’t the most interactive of museum and everything is in French, however you get a warm welcome (unusual from a French customs officer haha) and you can spend an interesting hour in a lovely building reading about stuff you don’t know like when English goods were blocked from entering France after the Trafalgar victory. Be sure to see the painting by Claude Monet, Cabane des Douaniers.
Great museum with very friendly staff. Make sure you get the audio guide since it provides a lot of information on each of the displays within the museum.
The most beautiful Museum, staff friendly, welcoming, more than reasonable admission fee, such a nice atmosphere, spotless wc, lockers for one's stuff, I don't speak French but I learnt stuff that I never knew. Thank You.
Galerie des Beaux-Arts
| Address | Pl. du Colonel Raynal, 33000 Bordeaux |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 56 10 20 56 |
It can be a bit confusing navigating between the different buildings in this museum (they're cady corner and across the street from each other).
Many art pieces are missing English translation, if this bothers you I'd recommend using the Google translate image tool.
Lots of different stuff, the smaller building has more modern sculpture and the larger has more old paintings and a large courtyard.
Only 2 euro for students!
No English explanations makes it a bit more difficult to appreciate the art. Nice exhibit on liberty currently showing. Even with a little guesswork, you can still understand some of the exhibits.
I'm not an art person, so I wasn't overly interested, but since the tickets to enter are cheap if you're an art person, I would recommend you visit. One important thing to remember is that tickets allow you to enter both the modern and old art galleries.
Great art gallery, albeit a bit small, with some amazing classical and romantic pieces plus at the time I visited there was a great temporary exhibition on the then of "liberty" which had some very interesting pieces. As you'd expect they have a great Delacroix collection and considering I only paid €4 all in as a student it was a bargain!
Great place to see the art work
Musée Mer Marine
| Address | 89 Rue des Étrangers, 33300 Bordeaux |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 1:00 – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 1:00 – 6:00 PM Thursday: 1:00 – 6:00 PM Friday: 1:00 – 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 57 19 77 73 |
We visited on a weekend with my kid. Many miniature ship from ancient to modern styles. Recommended for kids + some ancient artifacts. Lift available for stroller
This is a very good museum on the history of sailing and ships. The 3 floors are laid out in chronological order from early prehistoric time, to Phoenicians to modern aircraft carriers. The pieces also are explained in English, which is very helpful to tourists. The history of the Bordeaux port is well done and the very many model ships was amazing. Particularly interesting we’re the ships from 1600s and 1700s. Also interesting was Napoleon’s funeral ship. The history is rich and well displayed. The staff are very helpful and we thought it made for an educational afternoon. We recommend you take the time to see this museum.
Nice place than we were expecting)) Especially as I am not a big fan of Marine history, but this museum has many very interesting things and great ambiance.
Very calm , or we were lucky not to fall into rush hour.
We have spent 1,5 hours there, yet I thought that it would take like 30 minutes.
The rest of my photos might tell...
the maquettes were beautiful, but the museum had a lack of information and the Siren expo had nothing to do with Sirens and the history on them - a bit disappointing. We were outside within 45 minutes. But it was cute and we are content with the fact that we went here.
Small exhibition with lots of ship models and interesting displays and information
However the problem here is the way they are displayed, the exhibit information cards are printed in a very small font and are low down and I literally had to squat on the floor to read them - okay for one or two but tiring for the whole exhibition
Secondly on level two there is a whole section where the information was only in French and I speak English so I had to bypass All all of the information which would’ve been interesting to me. Yes we are in France but when in Bordeaux which is such an international city, the exhibition should also be in English as well to cater for all of the visitors.
Consider considering the small size of the museum I thought the entrance Price was a little high particularly bearing in mind my comments above
Also buying a ticket was extremely slow, the lady on the desk kept taking phone calls rather than selling tickets to the long line of people that we’re waiting
Cap Sciences
| Address | Hangar 20, Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM Thursday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM Friday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM Saturday: 2:00 – 7:00 PM Sunday: 2:00 – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 56 01 07 07 |
Great visit to the moon exhibition with our children, really accessible, interesting for all with lots of hands on experiences. Exhibition was available in French, English and German. The staff were really helpful and friendly. The facilities were clean and well cared for and the cafe upstairs was great to watch the boats on the river. Overall great value for money and a great morning out.
I visited a dinosaur exhibition in July. Though the exhibit area wasn’t large, it covered all the essential knowledge. There were many interactive facilities and activities for children, such as an area to freely assemble skeletons, an activity to let children experience the excavation process, and a Q&A session. These features are great for sparking children’s curiosity and inspiring their passion for science. The exhibition also had English and French descriptions, making it friendly for international visitors. Overall, I was very satisfied with the exhibition!
I went to dinosaur exposition in November. To be honest I was expecting something different, I mean it was good but its for children's in my opinion. The ticket was around 7€ for students (10€ for adults), so maybe I could go again to see the permanent exposition.
The kifs has fun. We were a bit disappointed overall as the "learning content" is not that dense nor interesting, amd most of the games were not that fun. But the kids had a great time, that is what matters most.
Yet my biggest grief is that kids below 6 should not pay as there is not much they can enjoy and do inside.
Fun dinosaur exhibition - a bit busy with some waiting time, but worth a visit, especially with Bordeaux CityPass.
Musée du Vin et du Négoce de Bordeaux
| Address | 41 Rue Borie, 33300 Bordeaux |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 56 90 19 13 |
Unfortunately, we were quite underwhelmed by this experience, especially after trekking across town to visit. It feels more like a modest private collection or a showroom than a museum in the traditional sense. While the space is compact and they offer a variety of bottles for sale in their souvenir shop, there isn't much depth to the exhibits. If you have already booked a professional wine tour or visited a larger cultural center, you can safely bypass this location. The payoff simply doesn't justify the walk if you're looking for a comprehensive historical or educational experience.
Chiharu was fantastic with our wine tasting; we learned so much and the wines were amazing! Definitely recommend doing the self-guided tour and following with a tasting. Lovely way to spend time in Bordeaux.
🤔 During my visit to Bordeaux, I didn't just want to go to the big Cité du Vin that is visible from almost everywhere. 👀
🙂 The Musée du Vin et du Négoce de Bordeaux is much smaller, focuses exclusively on the Bordeaux wine trade & has a nice little shop attached to the exhibition area with all kinds of little things & wine tools. 🛒
💡 My highlight of the museum was probably the guided tasting with lovely wine expert Chiharu. 👍
🤩 She started the tasting with a beautiful & fresh Clairet made from Cabernet Sauvignon that I liked a lot. 🍾
📍 It's a summery wine style that is very local & not exported much, it's not really what most people expect from a Bordeaux wine. 😳
🍷 As second taster, she poured a more traditional Bordeaux red wine from Haut-Médoc on the Left Bank. 🍇
🥳 What made the tasting even more interesting was the pairings of chocolate covered raisins which were soaked in sweet Sauternes wine & a delicious local canelé pastry. 🍮
📜 The exhibition area in an old cellar is full of historic artifacts & background stories that shaped the local traditions and regulations over several centuries. ⚖️
This is one of my favorite places in Bordeaux. As a local guide, I always recommend visiting this museum along with the modern Wine Museum, but this one truly has its own soul and spirit. You’ll discover fascinating objects and historical documents that tell the story of Bordeaux’s wine culture.
And the experience is even better because your ticket includes two wine tastings at the end — a perfect way to connect what you’ve learned with the flavors of the region. I love sharing this museum with visitors and helping them uncover the hidden stories behind Bordeaux’s wines, so if you’re curious about wine history and local culture, it’s definitely a must-see!
The Musée du Vin et du Négoce de Bordeaux is a compact museum in the Chartrons district that explores Bordeaux’s wine history through the role of wine merchants.
Set in an 18th-century building, it features atmospheric vaulted cellars, trade artifacts, and historical documents.
Most visits include a tasting of two Bordeaux wines, and the experience takes about 60–90 minutes.
You gain a wealth of knowledge about the intricate intricacies of the wine-making process, and the history is simply remarkable. Being situated in the heart of the wine region has been an incredible experience.
Musée des Arts décoratifs et du Design
| Address | 39 Rue Bouffard, 33000 Bordeaux |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 56 10 14 00 |
I enjoyed the Museum enormously. Amazing to see so much Buthaud ceramics and verre églomisé. Beautifully laid out. The staff are friendly and enthusiastic.
This museum needs to be visited. A hidden gem that is worth going to for the building alone. Incredible Pauline Deltour retrospective. Children’s weaving crafts which will occupy adult brains. Fantastic. It is included on the City pass and is a short walk from the museum of fine Arts so there is no excuse for not visiting.
This was a wealthy person’s town house that is quite a grand setting for housing Bordeaux’s collection of decorative arts. The china and silver collections are nicely displayed and the furniture and other period pieces beautifully reflect the way the various rooms may have been furnished. The floors and walls are original and we enjoyed the many rooms of displays. Take your time to soak in the history of this beautiful setting. We enjoyed it very much.
The museum is nice, but some people here have issues... I don't enjoy being made a mockery by one of your staff just because they thaught I don't understand french and can make any remark they wish.
The main part of the museum was closed. Only some special exhibition rooms were open.
Bernard Magrez Cultural Institute
| Address | 16 Rue de Tivoli, 33000 Bordeaux |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 2:00 – 5:00 PM Friday: 2:00 – 5:00 PM Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | — |
Stunning building and gardens. Went to an art show, superb art, varied, beautiful and very interesting. Bar available, wonderful place to sit for a drink in the evening
Impossible to be bored in this museum. Great artists are picked to be shown. It's not like "i make art about art" like so many contemporary museums. It's "i make art about us".
If you are open for the modern art, you must visit this fantastic place! The staff are super friendly. ❤️
€80 for unclimatised full sun room, not again, no value for money
Interesting galleries, beautiful buildings and lovely garden. The entrance was only 2 € !!!
Musée de l'Histoire Maritime de Bordeaux
| Address | 1 Quai Armand Lalande, 33300 Bordeaux |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 05 54 51 06 39 |
The museum is very informative, with audio guide in different language that explain the exhibits very well about the maritime history of Bordeaux. There are many detailed ship models of old sail boats of different times, and with informative explanations. There are also many old maps from back in the days, which are interesting to see. Also some books about sail boats and the history of the area available to read. I would recommend people who are interested to learn more about the history of Bordeaux, and those who are interested in sail boats etc. to visit the museum, you can learn a lot.
Really thought provoking exhibits about what damage humans are doing to the ocean and interesting imagery about the plight of refugees arriving to places by boat. Also dozens and dozens of fantastic models of ships from through the ages.
A small and humble museum but if you are seriously interested in Bordeaux and how it became an economic powerhouse through its port and the shipping industry then you just might visit. I thought it was well worth the 8 euros but I like maritime topics and history. I’d go back with friends. Much more informative about its topic then that dumb Cité du Vin (avoid).
This is a really good museum for making you think about the actual construction of early sailing boats as well as explaining who might have put up the money for the building of boats. Good straightforward explanations and excellent models to show the detail. Not too big, not too detailed, but very informative.
The friendliest staff I ever met in a museum. The best audio guides in various languages and intuitive technology. The most interesting stories to be told about Bordeaux 👍😊🙂
Tips for Visiting Museums in Bordeaux
Planning your cultural itinerary in Bordeaux requires a bit of local knowledge to maximize your time and budget. The city has implemented several visitor-friendly policies, but knowing the nuances of scheduling and ticketing can save you both money and frustration. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate the museum landscape like a local.
Take Advantage of the Bordeaux Métropole City Pass
If you plan to visit three or more museums, the Bordeaux Métropole City Pass is almost always the most economical choice. It offers free access to most municipal museums and permanent collections, alongside unlimited public transport. You can purchase it for 24, 48, or 72 hours, making it a perfect companion for a weekend getaway.
Check for the First Sunday Free Policy
Many municipal museums in Bordeaux open their doors for free on the first Sunday of every month, except during peak summer months like July and August. While this is a great way to save money, be prepared for larger crowds. Arrive early in the morning to secure a shorter queue and a quieter viewing experience.
Verify Temporary Exhibition Surcharges
While a city pass or a standard ticket grants access to permanent collections, blockbuster temporary exhibitions usually require a small supplementary fee. Always check the museum’s official website before your visit to see what is included. This prevents surprise costs at the ticket desk and helps you budget accurately.
Respect the "Lunch Break" Closure
Unlike in many major capital cities, some smaller or privately run museums in France close for a long lunch break, typically between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM. While the major institutions stay open all day, it is wise to verify the hours of smaller galleries. Plan your lunch reservation to coincide with these potential closure windows.
Book Time Slots for Popular Venues
Even with a city pass, some high-demand venues require a reserved time slot due to capacity limits. This is especially true during the tourist season from May to September. Booking your slot online the night before ensures you won’t be turned away during peak hours.
Bordeaux rewards the curious traveler. By pacing yourself and mixing the grandeur of the classical art museums with the intimacy of smaller historical sites, you gain a holistic view of the city. It is not about rushing from one landmark to another, but about understanding the narrative of the port, the wine, and the people.
As you walk out of the last gallery and back onto the limestone streets, the city will look different to you. You will notice the details in the architecture and the weight of the history that the museums have brought to life, making your trip infinitely richer.
