The best museums in Bordeaux

Located along the Garonne, the city of Bordeaux attracts with its dynamism, its wide open spaces, its gastronomy, but also its culture. Workshops, exhibitions, events or artistic demonstrations, the Bordeaux program is varied when we talk about museums. Rest assured, to help you find your way among all these proposals, we have gathered here the addresses of the best museums in Bordeaux.

Opening photo: Sandy Ching Unsplash

The best museums in Bordeaux

• Visit the City of Wine!
• The Natural History Museum for the whole family
• The Frac to marvel
• The Pool of Light, stars in the eyes
• Cap Science, fun knowledge
• Other Bordeaux museums not to be missed
• The Jean Moulin National Center
• The Museum of Decorative Arts and Design
• Lives of Art
• ArtFlo
• Capc Museum of Contemporary Art of Bordeaux
• The Bordeaux Fine Arts Gallery
• The National Customs Museum
• The Aquitaine Museum
• The Tour de France Companions Museum
• Beaux-arts museum
• The Bordeaux Submarine Base
• Arc in Dream
• The Bernard Magrez Cultural Institute
  
• The Museum of Ethnography
• The Modern Garage
  
• Bordeaux Maritime History Museum
  

The city of wine and the Bordeaux wine and trade museum, two addresses not to be missed

The city of wine first surprises with its elegant and curved architecture which arouses curiosity. You will not be disappointed, through several rooms, travel around the world to discover the history of wine and its evolution over time. On 3,000 m2 of exhibition, enjoy interactive, immersive and multisensory experiences during a 3-hour visit, or all day if you are passionate.

To complete your new knowledge, go to Bordeaux wine and trade museum for a visit to the cellars where historical objects are presented to you. The guided tour by reservation is captivating to better understand Bordeaux wines and their typicity. End the day with a tasting, an oenology workshop or take advantage of the afterworks organized all year round.

The Natural History Museum, a lively and educational place in Bordeaux

Allow a few hours to visit this magnificent museum on 4 levels, where nearly 4,000 specimens are presented. Through thematic exhibitions and temporary exhibitions, fauna and flora are brought to the forefront with the question of the place of humans in nature. Animals, continents, skeletons and habitats, the representations are astonishing and fascinate young and old who discover with admiration the evolution of animal life over the years. Fun and lively, it is suitable for children with the toddler museum dedicated to children under 6 years old. Whether you are passing through, from Bordeaux or simply curious, the Natural History Museum is worth visiting.

The Frac de Bordeaux, varied exhibitions which circulate every year

For those who do not know the Frac, these are the Regional Contemporary Art Funds allowing collections to be brought together and distributed to different audiences. This is also the mission of the Frac de Bordeaux which today brings together more than 1,500 works by renowned artists and young talents. Through workshops, digital platforms or web documentaries, they raise awareness among young and old about painting, sculpture, photography and video. These are also half of the works of art which, each year, take over media libraries, educational establishments or cultural buildings to open the artistic world to a wider audience. Today, the Frac is at the Méca, which allows them to innovate, to open up to artists and to enrich their collection which you can admire on 4,600 m2 of exhibition by paying the symbolic sum of €2.

The Bassins de Lumières, an exceptional museum to discover in Bordeaux

You will be enchanted by this incredible exhibition which plunges you into the heart of an unreal world. Colors and shapes are reflected in the water of the 4 pools, where 90 projectors come together and offer you 12,000 m2 of digital art. Impressive and timeless, it takes you into a unique atmosphere to discover the history of art and contemporary creation. The works come to life, emerge from their frame and float on the water to the rhythm of enchanted musical compositions. Visit the largest digital art center in the world without delay, an immersive journey that will not leave you indifferent.

Cap Science, a scientific culture center accessible to all in Bordeaux

Divided into three spaces, everyone will be able to find their way in this center which does not look like much upon entry. Located on the banks of the Garonne, set off on a captivating cultural outing into the world of science. Activities, events, conferences or visits, the program is complete throughout the year. Children will be delighted to learn about this subject, often considered complicated, through exhibitions-workshops, scientific leisure activities and discoveries from the age of 3. Immerse yourself in Cap Science for a day before admiring the lovely view of the Port de la lune from the hanging terrace.

Some museums not to be missed depending on your desires

The list is too long to present each of the museums to you. This is why you will find here the summary of the must-see addresses in Bordeaux.

The Jean Moulin National Center

This documentary center on the Second World War brings together numerous documents, objects and materials from the era of the concentration camps, the Nazis and the resistance.

The Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

You will be immersed in the bourgeois aristocracy of the 18th century in this historic building made up of a hotel and a former prison. Works, design exhibitions and art collections, the visit transports you to another era.

Les Vivres de l’Art, an outdoor artistic concept in Bordeaux

This unusual place combines exhibitions and events around the workshop of Jean-François Buisson, within the former Vivres la Marine slaughterhouses. This magnificent artistic project promotes artists through workshops, a gallery and an “open bar” space. Let yourself be carried away by the offbeat atmosphere.

ArtFlo, a living space dedicated to artistic crafts in Bordeaux

ArtFlo is a 900 m2 space open to all to meet, share, exchange and discover art professions through training and workshops.

Capc Contemporary Art Museum of Bordeaux, an exceptional center for creation

Between temporary exhibitions, educational and cultural events, the place offers a thematic experience around emblematic works of art.

The Bordeaux Fine Arts Gallery, temporary exhibitions to observe

It is not open all year round, but only during temporary exhibitions, unlike the shop which offers books, collector's guides, posters and postcards dedicated to art.

The National Customs Museum, a real cabinet of curiosities in Bordeaux

Uniforms, furniture, maps, models or musical instruments, the museum is full of objects of all kinds resulting from seizures. There are some beautiful works to admire, don’t miss out on visiting.

The Aquitaine Museum, a whole story to tell in Bordeaux

From Prehistory to the 21st century, the museum traces all the periods crossed by the city of Bordeaux and Aquitaine. Admire important collections in one of the largest provincial history museums.

The Musée des Compagnons du Tour de France, a collection of masterpieces

Dedicated to companionship, its history and traditions, it is open to visits by reservation only. Painting, cabinetmaking, carpentry, masonry or carpentry, the know-how of these exceptional craftsmen is represented through the museum's collections.

The Museum of Fine Arts, a major cultural player in Bordeaux

Permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, meetings, concerts and conferences, the place is lively and dynamic to approach art from another angle. Different rooms exhibit works mainly from the 16th to the 20th century.

The Bordeaux Submarine Base, a revisited bunker for art

This former war construction now hosts an exhibition space dedicated to contemporary creation. The place, quirky, offers a particular artistic experience.

Arc en Rêve, an architecture center open to all in Bordeaux

Discover architecture in another way through exhibitions, a communication space, training and experimentation. In an awareness program, Arc en Rêve invites creation.

The Bernard Magrez Cultural Institute, committed sponsorship in Bordeaux

Located in the magnificent Château Labottière, the place offers a change of scenery with its wooded setting and its street art-style exhibitions. Concerts, conferences and cultural events are organized all year round and open to all.

The Museum of Ethnography, a long history dating from 1894

This museum was known under several names as the collection of ethnic objects grew. Today there are 6,000 objects and 12,000 photographs on display, coming from all continents, but especially from Asia.

Le Garage Moderne, a beautiful project of sharing and solidarity in Bordeaux

We don't just repair cars in this association where doing it yourself and reusing are valued. Artistic, culinary and artisanal creation, cultural life is associated with conviviality.

Museum of Maritime History of Bordeaux, an unmissable tourist site in Bordeaux

Between maps, models, photographs and work tools, the entire maritime history of Bordeaux is reconstructed. Follow the characters and families who left their mark on the city, a journey between rivers and oceans.

What an epic tour of the museums! If your goal is to visit them all, plan a few days. Whatever the case, there is bound to be an address that attracts you among the list of the best museums in Bordeaux.

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