Since 2016 La Cite du Vin is one of the major landmarks in Bordeaux, France, and among top things to do in the city.
My wine tour clients often ask me whether they should visit the Bordeaux famous wine museum.
Here is my honest opinion on whether you should be allocating time to visit La Cite du Vin with some pros and cons. Keep in mind I am not a big fan of museums in general, but I tried to be objective.
I have also filmed a little video inside the Bordeaux Wine Museum so you can make up your mind easier.
- If you want to learn more about wine and the history of wine. The permanent exhibition offers a lot of information in the interactive form.
- If you have a couple of free hours in the city.
- If you want to visit a restaurant with a view. Le 7 is a popular Bordeaux restaurant, not only among tourists, locals enjoy it as well.
- If your kids like interactive museums. There are plenty of buttons to press and screens to touch.
- If you are looking to buy nice French and international wines. The shop inside the Bordeaux wine museum is quite impressive. Wines from Kazakhstan? – Oui.
- If you want to buy good quality Bordeaux souvenirs. I quite like the choice of Bordeaux souvenirs and wine accessories at the museum.
- If you haven’t had a chance to go on a Bordeaux wine tour. Wine tours in Bordeaux are very educational, however, if you haven’t got time for an actual tour, you may find a lot of good Bordeaux wine information at the wine museum.
- If you want to experience birds-eye view of Bordeaux. The Belvedere on the 8th floor where the tasting is held opens to a balcony with a view of the Garonne river and the center of Bordeaux.
- If you love modern architecture.
- If you don’t mind the 20 euro admission fee. You can save a little if you buy the Bordeaux city card.
- If you do not want to leave the center of Bordeaux. The wine museum isn’t too far away, however, it would take you about 30-minutes walking from the center.
- If you plan on spending a day wine touring. You will learn so much during a Bordeaux wine tour, that you will probably need a break from more wine-related information.
- If you are a wine professional, you will find information in the Wine Museum to be quite basic for a wine pro.
- If you are looking for a wine tasting or a wine and food pairing. The museum lets you sample only one wine and there is not a lot of explanation. For wine tastings, either hop on a wine tour or enjoy a tasting session in the center of Bordeaux like this wine and cheese tasting.
- If you don’t like museums. You are probably like me, I prefer hands-on wine tasting experience to a museum exposition. Especially, given that in Bordeaux you are surrounded by some of the best wineries in Europe.
- If you are on a tight schedule. You can admire the architecture of the La Cite du Vin from the city center or better yet, take a water tram to the Cite du Vin stop and get a drink at Halles du Bacalan with a view on a Decanter-shaped building lit by sunset.
You have a few options:
- A relaxing walk or a bike ride on the Quays.
- A tram ride – a few stops on Tram B to “La Cite du Vin” stop.
- A bus ride – 7, 32, 45 to “La Cité du Vin” stop.
- A ride on a water tram. Have a mini river cruise on the Garonne at the price of the tram ride. Read more in my article Bordeaux Water Tram – the Best Way to Get to La Cite Du Vin.
I don’t recommend an Uber ride, as it is hard to pick up Uber in the center.
During May to August, the Wine Museum in Bordeaux is open between 10 am and 7 pm. The museum closes at 6 pm during other times of the year.
For the latest opening hours and days off check out the museum webpage.
During the high season I recommend to arrive early to avoid line ups.
You can purchase tickets at the ticket office. In the high season, you will likely see a line up. There is a separate line for those with electronic skip-the-line ticket. You can buy them here.
Tip: If you are visiting other attractions in Bordeaux, you may be interested in Bordeaux City Pass, which includes a visit to La Cite du Vin. Important: you have to enter the Wine Museum before noon(!).
The general admission price is currently 20 euros.
You can also buy an open date admission ticket for 25 euros.
Take advantage of the family pack for 2 adults and 2 children for 50 euros.
I understand kids under 5 are admitted for free. 6 to 17 year-olds are admitted free of charge in the summertime and for a 9 euro fee at other times.
Audio guide is available in Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, and Japanese.
How Much Time Should I Plan for a Visit of the Bordeaux Wine Museum?
Anywhere between 1 hour and 3 hours.
Longer if you plan to have lunch or dinner at Le 7 restaurant which is located inside the Wine Museum.
Map of La Cite du Vin
The permanent exposition of the Bordeaux Wine Museum is located on the second floor and the tasting is on the 8th floor at the Belvedere.
The restaurant Le 7 is on the seventh floor of La Cite du Vin.
The map of La Cite du Vin can be found here.
If you would a peek of La Cite du Vin see my video below and subscribe to my blog updates for more Bordeaux travel tips and Bordeaux wine suggestions.
To taste wines at Bordeaux wineries join our private wine tours to Saint-Emilion, Margaux, Pauillac, Haut-Medoc, Pomerol, Pessac-Leognan, and other Bordeaux wine regions. We are going to the best Bordeaux chateaux.
