At La Cité du Vin Museum in Bordeaux, France, Wine is Everything

My husband and I reached the eighth floor of Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin shortly before sunset. A sommelier handed me a glass of crisp white wine from Switzerland and poured a glass of Bordeaux red for Tom. 

As we stepped onto the museum’s viewing platform, we looked down and saw that the vertical-lift section of the Jacques Chaban-Delmas Bridge over the Garonne River had locked into the “up” position to allow clearance for an ocean liner bound for the Atlantic. We lifted our glasses in a toast to the travelers below and to Bordeaux, a centuries-long center of wine and gastronomy.

La Cité du Vin, housed in an elegant swirl of glass and aluminum, is a cultural venue with a global identity. The futuristic monument features an immersive permanent exhibition and a rich cultural program.

Everything about the museum—shops, restaurants, and especially its interactive exhibition and tasting experiences—aims to bring the universal heritage of wine to as broad an audience as possible. Even the materials used to build the structure reference the world of wine, from the wood of barrels to the glass of bottles and the metal of the vat room.

A Global Celebration of Wine

The striking Cité du Vin opened in 2016. It is now as iconic to Bordeaux as the 18th-century buildings in the city’s UNESCO-listed historic center. A major attraction in the city’s wine tourism landscape, the museum offers far more than a focus on Bordeaux wines. 

La Cité du Vin is a unique cultural landmark offering a modern, sensory exploration of wine. Through immersive experiences within striking, evocative architecture, it reveals the essence of wine across time, cultures, and civilizations. At the museum, visitors journey through the world’s renowned wine regions. They discover the rich history, diverse cultures, and distinctive grape varieties that shape winemaking around the globe.

In 2019, Great Wine Capitals honored La Cité du Vin with a Special Achievement Best Of Wine Tourism award for its outstanding contribution to global wine tourism. In October 2024, to mark the wine harvest, the museum was unveiled as the new flagship monument of the French government’s “MAKE IT ICONIC. Choose France” campaign.

Bordeaux 360°

We started our visit to La Cité du Vin with a wine workshop. It is one of the many activities available to both tourists and local Bordeaux residents. We chose the Bordeaux 360° Tasting workshop to deepen our understanding of the region’s diverse food and wine traditions. The workshop was developed in collaboration with the École du Vin de Bordeaux (Bordeaux Wine School). Led by a sommelier, the workshop offers an immersive journey through Bordeaux and its renowned vineyards.

Man pouring many glasses of red wine before a photo of a beach along the Atlantic ocean
Landscapes of Bordeaux, with wine ©Anita Breland

Landscapes of Bordeaux, with Wine

Participants can sample four distinct wines while enjoying a multimedia presentation that captures the region’s unique topography and flavors. From the oyster beds of Arcachon to the Médoc plains and the hills of Libourne, the experience vividly brings one of France’s most renowned wine regions to life. Our workshop leader introduced each wine and encouraged questions throughout the session.

With nearly forty participants, there was limited time for personalized attention or in-depth discussion of the wines and their producers. Despite this, the Bordeaux 360° Tasting workshop successfully delivered a compelling introduction to the region’s iconic terroirs, allowing us to savor a delicious wine from each one.

Two classes of red wine and one glass of white wine, set for a professional wine-tasting
Three of the wines in our Bordeaux 360° Tasting workshop © Tom Fakler

The World of Wine, in 18 Themes

The museum explores the vast world of wine, from its ancient origins and role in global trade to the grape varieties, vineyards, and wineries spanning six continents. Through 18 themed areas, digital and interactive technologies bring wine culture to life. The museum’s user-friendly audio guide seamlessly triggers animations across the various zones, making it easy to navigate. The guide’s concise, engaging explanations deepen visitors’ understanding of the exhibits.

During our visit, Tom and I joined museum-goers gathered around interactive displays on topics including history, geography, and science. Young visitors were especially thrilled to stomp virtual grapes at the entrance, while guests of all ages spent time in the mini-theaters, watching brief videos on various aspects of wine culture.

Buffet of the Five Senses

One of the permanent exhibition’s most popular stops is the Buffet of the Five Senses, centered around a dimly lit display of glass bell jars. At each jar, we squeezed rubber bulbs that activated snifters transmitting wine scents, such as mushrooms, chocolate and leather. It was a fun way to experience the aromas and colors of wine. The audio guide is helpful at the Buffet, providing background into the complexities of wine appreciation.

Man squeezing a rubber bulb to release aromas from a sensory bell jar at a display of wine aromas
The Buffet of the Five Senses at La Cité du Vin ©Anita Breland

Eager to learn more about the wines we had sampled earlier, Tom and I explored a relief map of Bordeaux’s vineyards. We identified regions featured in the 360° workshop, for a clearer understanding of the region’s vineyards, appellations, and unique qualities. It was an excellent tool for visualizing Bordeaux’s Left Bank, Entre-Deux-Mers, and Right Bank wine landscapes.

The museum’s interactive digital exhibits cater to visitors of all wine knowledge levels. The visuals are captivating, and the audio guide effectively offers information in concise, engaging segments. This format allows guests to explore the world of wine at their preferred depth, making it accessible and enriching for everyone.

The Belvedere

Our final stop at La Cité du Vin was The Belvedere, the museum’s eighth-floor wine bar and panoramic viewing platform. The museum ticket includes a glass of wine from the day’s curated selection, chosen by members of the Cité’s Foundation for Wine Culture and Civilisations. The day’s wines are displayed on an electronic signboard reminiscent of an airline departure board.

While Tom chose a Médoc red, I ventured outside the day’s all-Bordeaux theme, opting for a crisp Swiss white. The unfiltered Chasselas from BioSuisse-certified Domaine de Montmollin in Auvernier was a discovery for me. Tom found the Médoc to be the perfect way to end his day. A fine sunset greeted us as we stepped onto the viewing platform, wine glasses in hand.

The view from the Belvedere provides a marvelous perspective over the Bordeaux cityscape. The wines are thoughtfully selected, non-alcoholic options also available. It’s the perfect way to conclude a visit to La Cité du Vin!

Sommeliers serve guests at a bar under a ceiling completely covered with inverted clear wine bottles.
Guests queue for a glass of wine in The Belvedere ©Anita Breland

The Shops: Latitude20 and La Boutique

Latitude20, the Cité’s wine shop, features a distinctive selection of wines from over 70 countries. The striking display of bottles from around the globe is an exhibit in its own right. We couldn’t help but marvel at the shop’s exotic offerings—who wouldn’t want to try wine from Tajikistan or Tahiti?

Wine bottles arrayed on a curved wall in the wine shop of the Cite du Vin museum
Wine from around the world on offer at Latitude20 ©Anita Breland

The museum shop, La Boutique, features a wide array of wine-related products and memorabilia, including hats, scarves, glassware, and bar accessories. Each item is thoughtfully designed and of high quality, with options available across all price ranges.

The well-curated shops meet a souvenir-seeker’s wants and needs. From small mementos of the visit to classic decanters and quality wines from producers worldwide, there is something for everyone. We chose a small platter creatively shaped from a recycled wine bottle for an easy-to-pack memory of our time in Bordeaux.

Display cases filled with accessories, books and other wine-related items for sale in the museum shop of Cite du Vin
All things wine-related, at La Boutique ©Anita Breland

If You Go

The Cité’s many activities make it a must-visit attraction for any wine lover visiting Bordeaux for the first time.

  • The Cité du Vin is easily accessible by public transport from anywhere in the city. This is a no-stress travel destination! 
  • A tasting journey is an excellent addition to a museum visit. We found the experience helpful for orienting a visitor newly arrived in the region. Other workshops, such as the seasonal tasting journey “Via Sensoria,” are also exciting options.
  • There is much to see and do at and around La Cité du Vin. For example, the immersive expositions at Les Bassins des Lumières, the world’s largest digital art center are located nearby. Give yourself plenty of time. 
  • After your Cité visit, make a day of it with tapas from the food stalls of Les Halles de Bacalan.
Display case with four pates and three bottles of rose wine
Regional specialties on offer at Les Halles de Bacalan ©Anita Breland

La Cité du Vin hosted our visit.

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  • Anita Breland

    Cultural traveler Anita Breland chases tasty plates and memorable experiences, on a quest for the world's good food and the people who make it. She and her husband, photographer Tom Fakler, serve up the long-running blog Anita’s Feast and contribute to numerous international publications.

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