Musée du Vin et du Négoce, Bordeaux

Museum in Bordeaux

CC BY-SA 40 / Tylwyth Eldar

Tucked away in the historic Chartrons district, the Musée du Vin et du Négoce is one of the top attractions in Bordeaux for anyone curious about wine culture. Set inside the vaulted stone cellars of an 18th-century merchant's house, this museum charts three centuries of winemaking, barrel-crafting, and trade traditions that helped turn Bordeaux into a global wine powerhouse. Its exhibits bring the city's commercial past to life, offering a genuine sense of what wine storage, ageing, and export once looked like.

This intimate and atmospheric museum is a highlight of any tour of Bordeaux, especially for visitors who enjoy a mix of history and hands-on exploration. Rare documents, antique bottles, cooperage tools, and film displays guide you through the story of the region's wines, while tastings at the end provide a delicious introduction to Bordeaux's celebrated terroirs.

History and Significance of Musée du Vin et du Négoce
Things to See and Do in Musée du Vin et du Négoce
How to Get There
Practical Tips on Visiting Musée du Vin et du Négoce
Where to Stay close to Musée du Vin et du Négoce
Is Musée du Vin et du Négoce Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Musée du Vin et du Négoce
Nearby Attractions to Musée du Vin et du Négoce

History and Significance of Musée du Vin et du Négoce

Founded to preserve and share the legacy of Chartrons wine merchants, the museum occupies a building constructed in 1720 for Louis XV’s royal broker. This district was once the beating heart of the international wine trade, with merchants from England, Ireland, Scandinavia, and beyond establishing warehouses along the quays.

The museum highlights not only how wine was made but also how it was bought, sold, and shipped around the world. Bordeaux's rise to global fame stemmed largely from the négociant system, and the museum explains their essential role-from selecting and ageing wine to branding and exporting it. The result is a deeper understanding of why Bordeaux became synonymous with quality in the international wine market.

Things to See and Do in Musée du Vin et du Négoce

Visitors begin their journey in the semi-subterranean cellars, where thick stone walls once kept barrels cool during ageing. Exhibits showcase traditional winemaking tools, coopers’ equipment, and vintage labels that chart the development of Bordeaux’s great châteaux.

You'll also find rare merchant ledgers, bottles dating back centuries, and audio-visual presentations that bring shipping routes and trade networks to life. The museum's wine tasting, included with entry, allows you to sample Bordeaux wines while guides explain the influence of grape varieties, terroir, and ageing on flavour.

Workshops and themed events are held throughout the year, offering deeper insights into wine appreciation and Bordeaux’s role in the global trade.

How to Get There

The museum is located in the Chartrons district, north of Bordeaux’s historic centre. It is easily reached on foot or by tram, with Chartrons tram stop just a short walk away. 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. If travelling by car, limited street parking is available nearby. 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.

Practical Tips on Visiting Musée du Vin et du Négoce

Best time to visit Musée du Vin et du Négoce: Late morning or mid-afternoon for quieter cellars.
Entrance fee in Euros: Around €10-€15 including wine tasting.
Opening hours: Typically 10 a.m.-6 p.m., daily except major holidays.
Official website: Check for updated opening times and workshop schedules.
How long to spend: 1-1.5 hours.
Accessibility: Some cellar areas involve steps and uneven flooring.
Facilities: Gift shop, tasting area, restrooms.
Photography tip: Low light in the cellars makes early daylight hours ideal for shooting.
Guided-tours: Offered in multiple languages; recommended for wine beginners.
Nearby food options: Plenty of bistros and wine bars in the Chartrons quarter.

Where to Stay close to Musée du Vin et du Négoce

Stay nearby at Hotel Vatel Bordeaux for modern comfort in the Chartrons district. Another appealing option is Mercure Bordeaux Château Chartrons, set in a peaceful corner near the river. For boutique charm, consider Hotel des Quinconces close to major landmarks.

Is Musée du Vin et du Négoce Worth Visiting?

Yes-especially for wine lovers. This spot is one of the best places to see in Bordeaux if you want to understand how the city's wine became world-famous. Its cellars, artefacts, and tastings offer an experience that feels both authentic and intimate.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.5 (2,233)

Musée du Vin et du Négoce de Bordeaux at 41 Rue Borie is a compact Chartrons museum that traces 2,000 years of regional wine production through old equipment and trade artifacts set in atmospheric vaulted cellars; the self‑guided visit (audio available though the booklet is often recommended) typically includes a presenter‑led tasting of two Bordeaux wines with small treats and a chance to learn about pairings, and visitors praise the informative tastings, engaging displays (including a barrel‑making video and a room of satirical wine posters and bottles), a pleasant gift shop, and overall local atmosphere.

Mak !

a week ago

"The Musée du Vin et du Négoce de Bordeaux is a compact museum in the Chartrons district that explores Bordeaux’s wine history through the role ofwine merchants. Set in an 18th-century building, it features atmospheric vaulted cellars, trade artifacts, and historical documents. Most visits include a tasting of two Bordeaux wines, and the experience takes about 60–90 minutes. You gain a wealth of knowledge about the intricate intricacies of the wine-making process, and the history is simply remarkable. Being situated in the heart of the wine region has been an incredible experience...."

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John Abrahamson

3 months ago

"It's the perfect complement to the other wine museum down the street. My favorite was the barrel making video. I watched it several times. The giftshop is really nice. And our tasting after the self guided tour was fantastic. She was so knowledgeable. I wish we stayed there longer and did a full tasting...."

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E Haberdasher

4 months ago

"Nice little place to learn more about regional wine and history of the trade. It is self guided with an audio option (although they suggested theaudio didn't work well and to rely more on the booklet). It did also include a wine tasting - there were five or six bottles in front of the presenter, but we only tasted two wines (so feel free to drink the whole pour and think you will be tasting 5+ wines!). The tasting was a good presentation and they also gave a small handful of chocolate to show you how food and wine pairing is critical and how it greatly alters the flavours...."

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FAQs for Visiting Musée du Vin et du Négoce

Yes, tastings of two or more wines are typically included.

Yes, guided visits and workshops are available and can be booked in advance.

Absolutely-the exhibits explain everything from grape varieties to trade routes.

Yes, though the content is mostly geared toward adults; tastings are for 18+.

Around one hour, longer if you join a workshop.

Nearby Attractions to Musée du Vin et du Négoce

Cité du Vin: A major wine museum celebrating global wine cultures.
Les Halles de Bacalan: A modern covered market with great food stalls.
Place des Quinconces: One of Europe's largest squares with striking monuments.
CAPC Museum of Contemporary Art: Housed in a historic warehouse.
Chartrons Riverside: Scenic riverside walks with cafés and boutiques.

The Musée du Vin et du Négoce appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bordeaux!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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