La Cité du Vin is the reason many visitors come to Bordeaux before they have even thought about the vineyards. Opened in 2016 on the riverbank in the Bacalan district, and celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026, it is not a museum about Bordeaux wine alone but about wine everywhere: how it is made, traded, drunk, painted, argued over and woven into the history of civilisations. The building itself is a sculpture, its curves and shimmering facade often compared to wine swirling in a glass. The permanent tour is self-guided with an interactive Travel Companion device that plays commentary in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Chinese or Portuguese, leading you through themed spaces with films, scents, models and touchscreens. The visit ends on the eighth floor in the Belvédère, where your ticket includes a glass chosen from more than fifteen wines, or an organic grape juice, with a view over the city and the river. This page links to the Tiqets ticket for the permanent exhibition and Belvédère.
How to visit: La Cité du Vin is at 134 Quai de Bacalan, and tram line B stops right outside at the La Cité du Vin stop, about thirty minutes from Saint-Jean station and a few minutes from the Chartrons. From 1 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 it opens from 10:00 to 18:00, staying open until 19:00 on Saturdays; it closes at 16:00 on 24 December and all day on 25 December, and there is an annual closure week in late January 2027. The Tiqets ticket covers entry, the Travel Companion and one glass in the Belvédère, with an option for two glasses at checkout. It does not include priority access, temporary exhibitions or workshops, and it can be cancelled or rescheduled until 23:59 the day before.
What to expect: the permanent tour is large and absorbing, with around twenty themed areas you can explore in any order, from the world’s wine regions to wine in art and myth. It is busiest on weekend afternoons and rainy days, so a weekday morning is calmer. Allow two to three hours, plus time in the Belvédère.
Making the most of it: save energy for the end, because the Belvédère view is a highlight, especially towards sunset in winter. Combine it with the Bassins des Lumières nearby, or a walk back through the Chartrons. The Bordeaux CityPass also includes entry, which is worth comparing if you plan several museums.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided interactive tour of the permanent exhibition with a multilingual Travel Companion device, ending with a glass of wine on the eighth-floor Belvédère.
Best time
A weekday morning for quieter galleries, or late afternoon so you reach the Belvédère as the light falls over the Garonne.
How long
Two to three hours for the tour, plus half an hour in the Belvédère.
Tips
Remember the winter closing time of 18:00 on most days and plan the Belvédère before last tasting rather than rushing it at the end.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Wine lovers, curious first-timers and anyone who wants a world tour of wine culture before heading out to the vineyards.
- Families
- Children enjoy the sensory games and films, and the Belvédère offers organic grape juice instead of wine.
- Couples
- Time your visit so you finish with a glass in the Belvédère as the city lights come on.
- Pair with
- The Bassins des Lumières in the old submarine base, or a stroll through the Chartrons back towards the centre.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours, longer if you add a temporary exhibition.
Good questions
What are the opening hours of La Cité du Vin in winter?+
From 1 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 it opens from 10:00 to 18:00, until 19:00 on Saturdays. It closes early on 24 December and all day on 25 December.
Is a wine tasting included in the ticket?+
Yes, the permanent exhibition ticket includes one glass in the Belvédère, chosen from more than fifteen wines or an organic grape juice. You can upgrade to two glasses when you book.
Does the Tiqets ticket give priority access?+
No, despite the fast-track wording in the web address, the product page says priority access is not included. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to arrive.
How do I get to La Cité du Vin?+
Take tram line B to the La Cité du Vin stop, about two minutes on foot from the entrance. From Saint-Jean station the journey takes around thirty minutes.
How long should I allow for La Cité du Vin?+
Most visitors spend two to three hours on the permanent tour and the Belvédère. Add more time if a temporary exhibition interests you, as it is ticketed separately.
