On the quays of Bordeaux, a stone’s throw from the Miroir d’eau, the Musée national des Douanes opens the door to the history of the coastguards and smugglers who shaped the French coastline. The exhibition “La douane aux frontières du large” runs from 2 April to 22 November 2026, in the heart of the Saint-Pierre district.
Along Bordeaux’s riverside quays, just steps from the Miroir d’eau, the Musée national des douanes (National Customs Museum) lifts the veil on a little-known chapter of French maritime history: that of the coast guard. Until 22 November 2026, the exhibition “La douane aux frontières du large” traces three centuries of maritime surveillance, from smuggling to sea rescue and coastal protection.
At a glance
The exhibition traces the evolution of France’s National Customs Coast Guard, from the 18th century to today. Period uniforms, ship models, objects seized at sea, and audio testimonies tell a story that blends the pursuit of smugglers with sea rescue missions and coastal environmental protection.
The highlight of the visit: a full-size coast guard patrol boat that visitors can step aboard, offering a hands-on glimpse into the daily life of customs officers at sea. The exhibition also shows how the Port of Bordeaux, long a gateway for Atlantic trade, shaped the methods of French customs surveillance.
Allow between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours to explore the exhibition at your own pace. Since the National Customs Museum is housed in the former Hôtel des Fermes on place de la Bourse, the visit pairs easily with the museum’s permanent collections on the history of French customs.
Yes. The coast guard boat and ship models are a particular hit with children curious about maritime life, and dedicated workshops for ages 8 and up are offered periodically. The tone stays accessible to everyone, without heavy customs or maritime jargon.
Facing the Garonne, just steps from the Miroir d’eau and place de la Bourse, the museum occupies an 18th-century building that recalls Bordeaux’s golden age of river trade. Often overshadowed by the city’s larger cultural institutions, this museum offers a unique angle on the history of the Port de la Lune: that of the regulation and surveillance that accompanied its commercial rise.
💡 Bordeaux City Tours’ tip
Make the most of your time on the quays: the Customs Museum sits just a few minutes’ walk from the Miroir d’eau and place de la Bourse, two must-sees on any tour of the Saint-Pierre district.
It’s also just next to the Place de la Bourse stop of our Bordeaux Visiotour Hop-on Hop-off bus, barely a minute’s walk away. Hop aboard to continue exploring the quays from above, and hop off wherever you like among the circuit’s 10 stops.
Plan for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on your interest in the collections.
Admission ranges from €3 to €6, and is free on 7 June for World Oceans Day. Booking isn’t required but is recommended for groups, via musee-douanes.fr.
The exhibition runs until 22 November 2026.
Yes, thanks in particular to the accessible coast guard boat and workshops offered from age 8 upward.
At 1 place de la Bourse, 33000 Bordeaux, in the Saint-Pierre district, right on the Garonne quays.
Bordeaux is rich in history and heritage with its 350 UNESCO listed buildings. Each one more unusual than the next, don’t miss out on discovering them.
We have put together a list of the most important places in the Port de la Lune to visit…
The exhibition *Circasciences en piste*, organised by Cap Sciences, is part of an initiative to bring advanced science to the general public through the lens of the circus arts. The exhibition design features a series of interactive installations that allow visitors to analyse the physical mechanisms employed by performers during their acts. This educational approach transforms a fun experience into a genuine scientific laboratory accessible to the general public.
Located on the quays of Bordeaux, right next to the Cité du Vin, this exhibition benefits from a strategic position within a well-established tourist ecosystem. This location makes it easy to incorporate into a wider urban discovery itinerary, particularly through organised tours.
On the quays of Bordeaux, a stone’s throw from the Miroir d’eau, the Musée national des Douanes opens the door to the history of the coastguards and smugglers who shaped the French coastline. The exhibition “La douane aux frontières du large” runs from 2 April to 22 November 2026, in the heart of the Saint-Pierre district.
At the Musée d’Aquitaine on cours Pasteur, an extraordinary globe invites visitors to rethink how we picture the world. “Un globe des mondes” runs from 19 June to 13 December 2026, free for under-18s.
