La Cité du Vin
A golden building shaped like swirling wine, with immersive exhibits on global wine culture. The top-floor observation deck includes a glass of wine.
La Cité du Vin opened in 2016. Its exterior of curved glass and golden aluminum panels mimics wine swirling in a glass or the eddies of the Garonne, making it Bordeaux's new landmark. It does not focus only on Bordeaux. Instead, about 20 thematic zones, multimedia displays and scent installations tell the story of wine worldwide, covering its history, regions, winemaking, tasting and culture, and there is also a section on China. The permanent exhibition offers multilingual interactive guides, including Chinese. Admission includes a glass of wine from a selection of global regions, or grape juice, on the 8th-floor observation deck, which offers a 360-degree view of the Garonne and the city. The ground-floor wine shop claims to stock over a thousand wines from around 80 countries. Plan 2 to 3 hours. Adult tickets cost about €22, and timed-entry tickets can be booked online. Opening hours are roughly 10:00 to 18:00, with longer hours in summer. Nearby, the Bacalan district has been redeveloped from old docks, and the Bassins des Lumières digital art exhibition is housed in a former submarine base, which is worth a visit. Getting there: take Tram Line B to La Cité du Vin stop, or in summer, the BAT³ city ferry.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–18:00 (extended in summer; check official website)
Nearby sights
- Pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas
- Bassins des Lumières
- Darwin Ecosystème
- Musée du Vin et du Négoce
- Chartrons
- CAPC Musée d'Art Contemporain
- Pont de Pierre
- Place de la Bourse & Miroir d'eau