La Cité du Vin is a wine museum on the banks of the Garonne in the Bacalan district of Bordeaux, at 134 Quai de Bacalan. It opened in 2016 in a curved glass and aluminium building that recalls wine swirling in a glass. The permanent exhibition covers the history, production and culture of wine through video, sound, scent and touch, guided by an audio guide included with entry. Your ticket also includes a glass of wine at the Belvedere on the eighth floor, with views over the city and the river.
The building on the Garonne
La Cité du Vin opened in 2016 in the Bacalan district, an area that has been largely redeveloped in recent years. The architects Anouk Legendre and Nicolas Desmazières of XTU designed it around three images: a gnarled vine stock, wine swirling in a glass, and the eddies of the Garonne beside it.
The building is 55 metres high and has more than 13,000 square metres of interior space. Its facade combines silk-screen printed glass panels with perforated, lacquered aluminium panels, and the rounded form catches the light and reflects the river. Many people see it first from a distance, as it stands out clearly on the waterfront.
How the permanent exhibition works
The audio guide is included with admission and is the way into the exhibition. There are few artifacts and almost no wall texts. Instead, you hold the guide against red dots beside each display, and it explains what you are watching, hearing or smelling.
There is no set route. Displays are grouped by theme, and you can spend time on every display in a group or only a few. The themes run from the history of wine, from about 6,000 BC to the present, to how it is grown and made, grape varieties, terroirs, the wine trade and its place in different cultures and civilisations. Some displays use video, animation and sound, others scents. Look for the flyovers of vineyards around the world, the videos with winemakers and the moving boat display on the trade routes.
Bordeaux is the focus of much of the story, but the exhibition looks at wine around the world.
Tastings and workshops
The permanent exhibition ends at the Belvedere, the bar on the eighth floor. Your ticket includes a glass of wine, chosen from a selection that changes daily and includes wines from several countries. Some ticket packages include more than one glass. The terrace and windows give wide views over the city and the river, and the place is also popular for evening light.
Via Sensoria is a separate guided tasting. A sommelier presents four wines to a group of about twelve or fewer, following the seasons and the wines linked to each. It is aimed at people who want to learn how to taste, not at experienced drinkers.
The programme also includes workshops on topics such as wine and chocolate or wine and tea. A tasting workshop is held on Thursdays after work, in French. Check the museum website for the dates and subjects.
Eating, shopping and the rest of the site
The Cité du Vin is also a cultural centre. Le 7 is a panoramic restaurant on the seventh floor, where the menu works with local products and includes dishes for both vegetarians and meat eaters. Halles de Bacalan is a second place to eat. The Latitude20 wine library and store sells bottles, and there is a museum shop that visitors find worth a look in its own right.
The building also holds temporary exhibitions, film screenings and seminars on wine.
With children and getting there
Families are catered for. Younger children can follow smell-based activities, and there is a digital tour for ages eight to twelve. Tasting workshops are offered for the adults, and children can taste grape juice.
The tram stop is La Cité du vin on line B. You can also arrive by river boat, and the BATCUB shuttle runs from the quay towards Les Quinconces. There is free and paid parking, and the entrance, restrooms, seating and parking have wheelchair access.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, there is an admission fee. It includes the audio guide and a glass of wine at the Belvedere. Prices vary by ticket, so check the museum website before you book.
How long do you need at the Cité du Vin?
Plan on 2.5 to 3 hours for the permanent exhibition and the tasting at the Belvedere. Add time for Via Sensoria or a workshop.
How do you get to the Cité du Vin?
Take tram line B to the La Cité du vin stop, or come by river boat. The address is 134 Quai de Bacalan.
Is the Cité du Vin suitable for children?
Yes. There are smell-based activities for younger children and a digital tour for ages eight to twelve. Children can taste grape juice, and some workshops are aimed at families.
Is the Cité du Vin wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The entrance, restrooms, seating and parking lot are wheelchair accessible, and there is a hearing loop.
