Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin marks 10th
anniversary with visitor milestone
More than 3.5 million people have visited the site that presents wine as a cultural and sensory experience
The anniversary programme is currently underway throughout 2026
Cité du Vin_XTU architects
Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin marks its 10th anniversary this year, having welcomed more than 3.5 million visitors since opening in 2016, with an annual attendance of around 400,000 people.
International visitors account for around 55% of total attendance, underlining the museum’s global appeal. Marketing and Communications Director Solène Jaboulet said the site was designed to be accessible beyond wine specialists. “One of the reasons for its popularity is that it is accessible to all audiences. It is not reserved only for wine enthusiasts or professionals,” she said. She added that content is available in nine languages, with tasting experiences offered in English and Spanish.
Located on the banks of the Garonne, the Cité du Vin presents wine as a cultural and sensory experience rather than a traditional museum focused on expertise alone.
Director-General Philippe Massol said the aim is to combine education with accessibility. “We have always aimed to reach a wide audience with diverse expectations. The challenge is to balance knowledge and enjoyment, so that everyone, from novices to connoisseurs, can find something meaningful in the experience,” he said.
The anniversary programme is currently underway throughout 2026. It includes the exhibition Around the World in 50 Wine Regions, which brings together 54 photographs selected from vineyards across five continents.
Jaboulet said the exhibition highlights the museum’s international partnerships. “Each photograph was chosen to reflect the spirit of the vineyard, its people, and its traditions,” she said.
Earlier this year, the museum also launched the Via Sensoria tasting trail, which focuses on Bordeaux wines and explores different styles from the region alongside food pairings and sensory experiences.
Further events are planned later in the year, including a major public programme in June featuring tastings, workshops, evening events and family activities with live music, street art and food stalls.
Jaboulet said the objective is to broaden engagement with visitors. “We want visitors to leave with knowledge, yes, but also with curiosity and pleasure,” she said.
From now until September, the museum is also hosting an outdoor photography exhibition by British photographer Martin Parr, showing everyday life and cultural moments in Bordeaux and Bristol, its twin city.
