The building contains no right angles in its main structural design.
The architectural design is a collaboration between XTU Architects and Casson Mann Limited.
The building's height of 55 meters is a deliberate reference to the lighthouse structures often found in maritime cities.
The floor panels in the 'Gallion' space simulate the swaying sensation of a ship at sea.
The wine cellar stocks vintages from regions as geographically diverse as Ethiopia, India, and Canada.
The structure is designed with a high-performance environmental management system to regulate internal temperatures without traditional heavy air conditioning.
The museum's interactive 'Companion' device uses localized infrared technology to trigger content as visitors move through the exhibits.
Cité du Vin is an interactive museum dedicated to the global culture and history of wine, housed in a distinctive curved building designed to evoke wine swirling in a glass. The permanent exhibition spans 3,000 square meters, featuring digital companions that provide audio-visual narratives in multiple languages. Visitors explore 19 thematic modules covering wine history, production, trade, and cultural influence across different civilizations. The tour concludes at the Belvédère, an eighth-floor observation deck offering panoramic views of Bordeaux and the Garonne River. A tasting of a global wine selection is included with admission. The facility houses a cellar with over 14,000 bottles from 80 different countries. It features a professional reading room, an auditorium for events, and multiple dining venues on-site. The architecture itself, rising 55 meters, uses aluminum panels and glass to reflect the surrounding river environment.
The reflection of the building's metallic exterior in the nearby basin pools or from the 8th-floor viewing deck.
Use the interactive digital 'Companion' to pace your visit; it is lengthy and comprehensive.
Check the daily selection of wines available for tasting at the Belvédère before you start your tour.
Book a dedicated tasting workshop in advance if you want a more in-depth exploration than the general admission provides.
Do not attempt to see all 19 modules in detail if you are on a tight schedule, as the content is too vast; prioritize the themes that interest you most.
Open daily throughout the year, including public holidays, except for a brief annual closure in early January for maintenance.
