Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design de Bordeaux

Museum in Bordeaux

Musée des arts décoratifs de Bordeaux
Musée des arts décoratifs de Bordeaux
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Dark Attsios

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design, known locally as MADD, is one of the must-see places in Bordeaux for travellers interested in craftsmanship, elegance, and contemporary creativity. Set within the Hôtel de Lalande, a grand townhouse built between 1775 and 1779, the museum offers a fascinating journey through centuries of French decorative arts. Even during its temporary closure for renovation, MADD remains a highlight of any walking tour of Bordeaux thanks to its graceful façade and ongoing off-site exhibitions that continue to capture the city's artistic spirit.

Stepping into MADD is like moving through time: its collections-spanning medieval artifacts to cutting-edge design-reveal how taste, technology, and daily life have evolved across generations. The museum’s blend of history, architecture, and modern innovation makes it a deeply engaging space for anyone curious about how objects shape culture.

History and Significance of Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design

MADD is housed in the Hôtel de Lalande, an exquisite 18th-century mansion originally built for Pierre de Raymond de Lalande, a parliamentary counsellor. Over its long life, the building has been a private residence, police headquarters, and home to a municipal prison added in the former garden in 1885. It transitioned into a museum in 1924, becoming the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in 1955.

In 2013, under the direction of Constance Rubini, the institution embraced contemporary design, transforming into MADD Bordeaux. This shift broadened its scope to include not only historic decorative arts but also modern and experimental design. Today, its collections hold more than 33,000 objects, reflecting both local heritage and international creativity.

Things to See and Do in Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design

Inside the museum, visitors can explore a rich array of furniture, ceramics, glassware, silverwork, musical instruments, and graphic arts that illustrate the story of French decorative design. Highlights include exceptional 18th-century Bordeaux faience, refined Art Nouveau and Art Deco pieces, and an evolving selection of contemporary design objects.

The museum also manages the Jeanvrot collection, which features artifacts related to the Bourbon Restoration and colonial history. Even while major renovations are underway, MADD continues to host off-site exhibitions, workshops, and design-focused events across Bordeaux, ensuring that visitors and locals stay connected to its creative mission.

How to Get There

MADD is located at 39 Rue Bouffard in central Bordeaux, a short walk from tram lines A and B. You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place. Parking is available in nearby public car parks around Place Pey-Berland and Gambetta, though walking is often the easiest way to reach the museum. If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. Travellers arriving through Bordeaux Airport can reach the city centre by tram or shuttle before continuing on foot. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Bordeaux on Booking.com.

Practical Tips on Visiting Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design

  • Best time to visit Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design: Visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon for quieter galleries once it reopens.
  • Entrance fee in Euros: Varies by exhibition; reduced rates available.
  • Opening hours: Will be announced closer to the museum’s reopening in early 2026.
  • Official website: madd-bordeaux.fr
  • How long to spend: 1-2 hours depending on interest.
  • Accessibility: Renovations aim to improve full accessibility throughout the museum.
  • Facilities: Café and boutique expected to reopen with the renovated space.
  • Photography tip: Capture the refined exterior façade of the Hôtel de Lalande from Rue Bouffard.
  • Guided-tours: Offered for major exhibitions and thematic programs.
  • Nearby food options: Plenty of cafés and bistros around Place Pey-Berland and Rue du Palais-Gallien.

Where to Stay close to Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design

For a comfortable stay near the museum and Bordeaux’s historic centre, consider Hôtel de France for its central convenience. Another elegant option is Yndo Hôtel, offering boutique luxury in a historic building. Travellers seeking contemporary comfort may enjoy Mama Shelter Bordeaux with its lively design and excellent location.

Is Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design Worth Visiting?

Yes. Even during its temporary closure, MADD remains an essential part of Bordeaux’s cultural landscape through its off-site exhibitions. Once it reopens, its combination of elegant architecture, rich collections, and dynamic design programming will make it one of the best places to visit for anyone interested in the evolution of style and craftsmanship.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.3 (3,172)

Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts on Cours d'Albret houses an elegant collection spanning the Renaissance through the 19th century, with strong modern works by the likes of Picasso, Matisse and Delacroix; visitors describe a well‑curated mix of paintings and sculptures across three connected buildings that's substantial but compact enough to see in a couple of hours, with helpful audio guides and a layout that's easy to navigate.

Eduardo Diaz
a week ago
"This is a review for the museum that we went today of Bellas Artes. This is a beautiful place, beautiful classics and modern art. And the thing thatwe liked about it is that it is big but not that big. So you can see this and enjoy the paintings in a time that will not take you half a day but a reasonable time. And you will be in and out depending on how long you stay watching all these paintings. I recommend you to get the audio guide. It gives you a perspective of the paintings and then from that you can look at the other paintings and see that they give you some perspective on one and you can see in the other ones that perspective. And it is just an enjoyable place and the audio guide works very well. So this is a good place to come and visit while you are in Bordeaux. Recommended...."
Iason Senekkis
4 months ago
"For museum and art lovers, the visit to the MusBA is definitely worth it. We visited the museum with our children and we ended up spending more thantwo hours, without even going to the temporary exhibition at the gallery across the street. The visit is quite interesting with lots of art pieces categorised in different time periods. The most interesting part for us was the modern part with paintings by Picasso, Matisse and Delacroix. The museum is also included in the Bordeaux City Pass...."
Dmitry Moiseenko
4 months ago
"Great museum, a lot of beautiful paintings and sculptures for just 8 EUR. You can attend three halls."

FAQs for Visiting Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design

MADD is temporarily closed for renovations until early 2026.
Yes, the museum offers off-site exhibitions and cultural programs around Bordeaux.
Its collection spans furniture, ceramics, glassware, metalwork, graphic arts, and contemporary design.
Access will resume when the museum reopens in 2026.
Yes, MADD often offers family-friendly exhibitions and workshops.

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The Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design de Bordeaux appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bordeaux!

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Planning Your Visit

Address: Musée des Arts décoratifs et du Design, Rue Bouffard, Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux: 0 km
Official Website

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