Building architecture and symbolism

The bold architecture of the Cité du Vin, designed by architects Anouk Legendre and Nicolas Desmazières of XTU, features an evocative 55-metre-high silhouette.. It symbolizes the dynamic movement of wine in a glass, the flow of the Garonne River and the winding of a vine stock. Its facade, adorned with 3,000 aluminum and glass panels, captures and reflects changing light and landscape in equal measure.

Designed to be a crossroads of interaction with the city and the world, the building encompasses an auditorium, belvedere, library, restaurant, brasserie, wine cellar and boutique, in addition to its vast exhibition spaces. It stands as an emblem of modernity, innovation and the cultural diversity of wine.

Plan your visit to the Cité du Vin

La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux: Practical information

Address: 13 Quai Armand Lafite, 33000 Bordeaux, France

Phone number: +33 5 56 56 10 10

Website: https://ticket.laciteduvin.com/en-GB/home

Opening hours:

• Open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Last access to exhibits: 5:15 p.m.
• Exceptional closure on December 25

Price list:

• Full Price: €25
• Annual Subscriber Price: €39
• Youth rate (18-25 years): €15
• Children (5-17 years): €12
• Free for children under 5

Ticket options and prices

La Cité du Vin offers a range of tickets to suit all tastes and budgets. The purchase of a ticket Permanent exhibition and Belvedere offers access to the main exhibition as well as a wine tasting at the summit with a breathtaking view of Bordeaux, for €22 per adult and €9 per child aged 6 to 17, while children under 6 enter free of charge.

A family packdesigned for 2 adults and 2 children, is available at €54. Tickets can be purchased on a fixed date, for a specific day and time, or as an open ticket, which remains valid for one year from the date of purchase.

For an enriched experience, the Cité du Vin offers special tickets such as the Via Sensoria ticketfor a unique sensory experience, and the Bordeaux 360° ticketThe new Bordeaux wines, available at €32 for adults and €19 for children. From combined tickets allowing access to various activities within the Cité, or pass tickets to explore other cultural sites in Bordeaux.

How to get there and access

Located at 134 quai de Bacalan, in the north of Bordeaux, the Cité du Vin is easily accessible:

• By tramway line B, La Cité du Vin stop.
• By bus lines 7, 32 or 45, La Cité du Vin stop.
• By Batcub : the river transport service, with a stop at Cité du Vin.
• Visit car Indigo pay parking is available at the rue Lucien Faure entrance.
• Visit bike A Vcub station is located opposite the entrance.
• À foot The journey takes about 30 minutes from downtown, along the quayside.

Access for the mobility-, vision- and hearing-impaired is guaranteed, with elevators, ramps, wheelchairs, audioguides and magnetic loops.

The best times to visit and avoid the crowds

Open every day except December 25 and some days in January, Cité du Vin opening times vary according to the season, generally from 10am to 6 or 7pm.. Allow 2 to 3 hours for a complete visit to the Permanent Exhibition, which can be adapted to suit your interests.

For a more leisurely experience, choose to visit early in the morning, as soon as it opens, or late in the afternoon, after 4pm. The Affluences website and its application allow you to check visitor numbers in real time and in advance, so you can choose the best time for your visit.

Not-to-be-missed experiences at the Cité du Vin

Events:

• What's at stake? In the stadium as in the vineyard: Temporary exhibition from March 16 to September 29, 2024 exploring the links between wine and sport.
  
   
• Via Sensoria: A permanent sensory tasting trail that invites you to discover the aromas and flavors of wine through your senses.
  
   
• Bordeaux 360°: Introductory wine-tasting workshop that lets you discover Bordeaux wines through six different appellations.
  
   
• Introduction to tasting workshop: Introductory wine tasting workshop that teaches you the basics of wine tasting.

Permanent exhibition and the Belvedere

At the heart of the Cité du Vin, the Permanent Exhibition offers an interactive and immersive journey into the world of wine. Discover wine from every angle: history, geography, science, art and the senses.

Explore international vineyards, immerse yourself in wine civilizations, learn about winemaking methods, explore current trends, discover the art of living around wine and the emotions it arouses.e. A multimedia guide, personalized to your profile and the time of your visit, will accompany you. The exhibition, with almost 9 hours of content, invites you to discover it at your own pace, according to your interest and curiosity.

To round off your visit, the Belvedere awaits you. This observation point at the top of the Cité du Vin offers you a tasting from a selection of wines from around the world and an exceptional panoramic view of Bordeaux and the Garonne.

Le Belvédère, a magical space, promises relaxation and pleasure, completing your cultural and sensory enrichment.

Sensory tour and tasting workshops

For an even deeper immersion experience, the Cité du Vin offers the Via Sensoria sensory tour or tasting workshops. Via Sensoria is an innovative tasting experience that appeals to all your senses in an astonishing setting.

Discover wine through touch, smell, hearing, sight and taste, with themes such as wine and chocolate or wine and cheese. This workshop lasts around 1h30 and costs €32 for an adult and €19 for a child.

Tasting workshops let you explore wines from different regions and styles, guided by an expert. Choose from a variety of themes, including introduction to wine tasting, Bordeaux wines, wines of the world or wine and food pairing. These workshops, which last from 1h to 1h30, are priced from €15 to €32, depending on the theme chosen.

Special events and nights

La Cité du Vin also offers special events and evenings for a unique wine experience. Enjoy shows, screenings, conferences, concerts, debates and events on a wide range of fascinating subjects.

The nocturnes, open Thursdays and Fridays until 10pm, offer exclusive access to the Permanent Exhibition and the Belvedere, allowing visitors to admire the sunset over Bordeaux while enjoying a glass of wine.

These events are available by reservation, with prices varying according to the event.

Conclusion

It goes without saying that the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux is a unique venue, offering complete immersion in the world of wine. Whatever your level of knowledge, this space promises enriching discoveries, thanks to a diverse and captivating cultural offering.

During your visitAt the Cité du Vin, you'll have the opportunity to explore the Permanent Exhibition and the Belvedere, embark on a captivating sensory tour, take part in a tasting workshop, attend a special event or a night out, all while enjoying a splendid view of Bordeaux. La Cité du Vin is an unforgettable adventure, to be experienced at least once. So don't hesitate, book your ticket now and get ready for a moment of wonder!

FAQ

What is the Cité du Vin?

La Cité du Vin is a unique cultural venue celebrating wine as part of the world's living cultural heritage. It offers an extraordinary adventure through time, cultures and continents.

Who designed the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux?

XTU architects, under the direction of Anouk Legendre and Nicolas Desmazières, are behind the architecture of the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux. Their design draws inspiration from symbolic representations of wine, vines and the river.

Who owns the Cité du Vin?

The city of Bordeaux is the owner of the Cité du Vin. The Cité du Vin has been entrusted to the Fondation pour la culture et les civilisations du vin for a period of 12 years, until 2028.

Where is the Bordeaux Wine Festival held?

The Bordeaux Wine Festival is an annual celebration that takes place in the heart of the city, along the banks of the Garonne. The next edition is scheduled for June 19-22, 2025.