In ten years, the twisted silhouette of the Cité du Vin has stood out in the Bordeaux sky as if it had always been there. Located 200 meters from the Chaban-Delmas bridge, on the banks of the Garonne, this glass and metal building has long intrigued, even baffled, the inhabitants of Bacalan and Bassins à flots. Today, with more than 3.5 million visitors, it embodies a new postcard of Bordeaux.
Born in 2009 from a strong political idea, supported by the City, the Metropolis, the Department, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, the CIVB, the Chamber of Commerce and private patronage, the Cité du Vin represented an investment of more than 81 million euros. Four years of construction later, it was inaugurated on May 31, 2016, in the presence of Alain Juppé and François Hollande. Ten years later, the question is simple: how did this bet become an emblem?
Cité du Vin Bordeaux: an architectural challenge that has become a flagship of the Port de la Lune
Designed by the Parisian firm XTU-Architects, the building is unlike any other Bordeaux monument. The designers summed up their gesture with this sentence which has become manifest: , they explained to France 3. 55 meters high, installed on 300 piles and with almost 13,000 m² spread over ten levels, it combines 9,000 m³ of concrete, 574 wooden arches and nearly 900 glass panels. During the inauguration, Alain Juppé saw it as a .
At the moment, not everyone agrees. The people of Bordeaux are ironic about the shape of the building. , smiles Philippe Massol, the general director, who has heard these comparisons a lot in ten years. , he explains, between gnarled vines and wine swirling in a glass. Little by little, the “funny object” established itself as a visual landmark and symbol of a neighborhood in full transformation.
3.5 million visitors: how the Cité du Vin became a world emblem
Opened to the public on June 1, 2016, the Cité du Vin now welcomes around 400,000 visitors per year, including 390,000 in 2025. In total, more than 3.5 million people from more than 170 nationalities have already passed through its doors, with the proportion of foreigners increasing from one in four at opening to 55% today. As early as 2016, the newspaper Libération spoke of and described a who.
The success is also due to the broadening of the public beyond just lovers of fine wines. The permanent exhibition, redesigned after Covid for around 8 million euros, the tasting workshops, the Belvedere with a view of the Garonne and more than 750 cultural events have attracted new profiles. , rejoices Philippe Massol. La Cité du Vin tells the story of wine culture in all its dimensions, from the Bordeaux vineyards to terroirs around the world.
Ten years of Cité du Vin in Bordeaux: a popular celebration and future challenges
For its tenth anniversary, 2026 is seen as an anniversary season. The weekend of June 6 and 7 focuses on several highlights: yoga sessions at the Belvédère followed by organic juices, “Special Bubbles” and “Bordeaux 360°” tasting workshops with winegrowers, guided architectural tour, big evening in the Gardens with the L’Orangeade collective, DJ sets and performances. Over these two days, free family activities, virtual reality around vine pruning, creative workshops and a local producers’ market add to the celebration, while the exterior lighting, turned back on since March, transforms the building into a lantern on the Garonne every evening.
Within the sector, the initial reluctance seems far away. Allan Siffel, president of the CIVB, however, remembers some of the idea. From now on, the Cité du Vin, supported by the Foundation for Wine Culture and Civilizations, also serves as a stage for debates on the future of the vineyard, the climate or the evolution of uses. Between commemorative stamp issued by La Poste and international tourist influence, it begins a new decade in the spotlight, with the mission of remaining a living emblem rather than a simple decoration.
When did the Cité du Vin de Bordeaux open to the public?
The Cité du Vin opened to the public on June 1, 2016, the day after its official inauguration on May 31, 2016.
Where is the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux?
It is located in the Bassins à Flots district, in Bacalan, about 200 meters from the Chaban-Delmas bridge, on the banks of the Garonne.
How many visitors does the Cité du Vin welcome each year?
Since its opening, the Cité du Vin has welcomed an average of nearly 400,000 visitors per year, for a total of more than 3.5 million visitors in ten years.
Is La Cité du Vin only aimed at wine lovers?
No, the immersive journey and the workshops are designed for a very broad audience, including families, young people, students and novice visitors.
What is happening for the 10th anniversary of the Cité du Vin?
The year 2026 is punctuated by an anniversary season with a festive weekend at the beginning of June, family activities, tastings, cultural events and a return of outdoor lighting.
