A THIRST FOR MORE

THE CITÉ DU VIN
BORDEAUX, FRANCE

If you’re in Bordeaux, throw a rock in any direction and you’re likely to hit some sort of monument to the craft of winemaking. As the city’s oldest export, it doesn’t take a genius to recognize the importance of Bordeaux vintages to not only France but the world as a whole. While the statues, street names, and plaques serve as reminders of nearly two millennia of Bordeaux’s greatest art form, few monuments are able to capture the craft, history, and sheer dedication that make up the very soul of French winemaking—that is, until the Cité du Vin was opened to the public. If the memorials dedicated to the vine throughout the city are love letters that honor the chateaus of Bordeaux’s past, this institution is a lightening rod to inspire its future generations.

Located in the repurposed industrial Bacalan District, Cité du Vin, meaning "house of wine,", isn’t just a museum but a memento to the cultural impact of wine—past, present, and future. Using interactive and immersive technology throughout the experience, you are taking a journey through the facets of winemaking. Holograms, sensory exercises, and up-close-and-personal ways of presenting information are all keystones of how this museum approaches education and informs visitors on the subject matter. Even the design of the museum evokes a clear departure from the norms and standards of a more classic approach. Its boldly natural yet modern design stands out from Bordeaux’s architecture, where classic taste reigns supreme, but it doesn’t feel entirely out of place. That same approach to modernizing heritage is implemented the second you walk through the museum doors.

While most museums today exist in a more passive space, this one draws you in, immediately grabbing your attention and demanding participation. It’s an incredible take on a subject some may find so dense and elevated past the point of approachability. It serves as the ideal introduction to the foundation of winemaking and even a valuable addition for the wine expert. If you’re wanting a whole view of Bordeaux’s history, be sure to follow up your museum visit with a tour of one of the region’s many chateaux, and you’ll develop a more in-depth understanding of the world‘s longest running obsession. Diving deep into any of the immersive, sensory experiences or enjoying a glass from the highly curated selection at the rooftop bar will allow you to savor any sort of winemaking experience you have after your visit.

The Cité du Vin goes beyond your typical museum visit, with its approach extending into every effort of the Fondation Pour la Culture et Les Civilisations du Vin (the museum's governing body). From events, workshops, restaurants, and boutiques, each program within the Anouk Legendre and Nicolas Desmazières-designed building is highly curated and crafted to offer a wealth of knowledge to anyone willing to learn. It doesn’t matter whether you're a wine connoisseur or a total novice, you’re welcomed into a living space open to all. Come hungry for knowledge, come thirsty for wine—you'll always leave full.