Bordeaux

For centuries, Place de la Bourse has been one of Bordeaux’s defining symbols. The monumental square tells the story of how the city opened towards the Garonne and developed into an international centre of trade.

The new royal square took around twenty years to create in the 18th century. The project marked the beginning of the medieval city’s transformation; until then, Bordeaux had remained enclosed behind defensive walls.

From 1720, the intendant Claude Boucher worked to open up the fortified city. The appointment of Jacques Gabriel, King Louis XV’s leading architect, proved decisive. He designed a rectangular square with cut corners, harmonious stone façades, sculpted masks and elegant ironwork—an architectural language that came to define classical Bordeaux.

Hôtel des Fermes was built by Jacques Gabriel, while his son Ange-Jacques Gabriel completed Hôtel de la Bourse and the freestanding central pavilion. Constructed between 1735 and 1755, the ensemble broke through the old wall and connected the city more closely with the river.

The square was originally separated from the Garonne by gates that disappeared during the Revolution. An equestrian statue of the king was later followed by a short-lived statue of Napoleon, before Fontaine des Trois Grâces was installed in 1869. Today, the fountain and façades are reflected in the Miroir d’Eau, one of Bordeaux’s most photographed scenes.

La Cité du Vin is not a conventional wine museum, but a major cultural venue presenting wine as part of global history, landscapes, craftsmanship, trade, rituals and human communities.

The permanent exhibition covers more than 3,000 square metres and travels from antiquity to the present day across five continents. Six themed worlds and 18 modules combine film, sound, interactive installations, scenography and sensory experiences.

The story extends far beyond Bordeaux wine. The exhibitions show how climate, soil, grape varieties and local traditions have created very different wine cultures—and how wine has influenced society, art, religion, trade and dining over thousands of years.

The building is an experience in itself. Its rounded forms and shifting façade suggest movement, while the tall spire has made the museum a modern landmark beside the Garonne. Inside, the timber structures often recall the hull of a ship.

Finish in the belvedere, where the view across Bordeaux provides a natural finale. The experience also suits visitors with little previous knowledge of wine; curiosity and a willingness to explore are all that is required.