The Musée d’Aquitaine is a museum located in Bordeaux, France. It presents the history of Bordeaux and New Aquitaine, from prehistory to the present day, through its archaeological collections. The museum is open every day, except Mondays and public holidays, with opening hours from 11am to 6pm.
With approximately 150,000 visitors per year, the Musée d’Aquitaine is one of the most popular museums in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. The museum’s cultural program is regularly updated to offer interesting and varied exhibitions and events.
Like all regions of France, Aquitaine has a long and sometimes tumultuous past. The museum, housed in the former Faculty of Letters and Sciences, allows visitors to discover the testimonies left by civilizations. The collection is articulated around 3 great axes:
A permanent exhibition combined with temporary exhibitions pay tribute to the origins of the New Aquitaine region, formerly called Aquitaine. You will discover unique objects, works of art and historical documents that will allow you to better understand the evolution of the city and its region. In addition, the museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions that present varied and interesting themes. These exhibitions allow the opportunity to discover artists and subjects that are not included in the permanent collection.
The historical archives are available for consultation in the museum’s library (during library opening hours). The Musée d’Aquitaine is located in a historic building, the Hôtel de Lisleferme, which is also worth a visit for its architecture and history.
The Musée d’Aquitaine deals with the history of Bordeaux and its region, from prehistory to the present day. The museum deals with various themes such as political and economic history, arts and culture, science and technology, as well as commercial and cultural exchanges with other regions of the world. The Musée d’Aquitaine is a place to discover and understand the history of Bordeaux and its region through the ages.
Since 2009, a permanent exhibition on the Atlantic trade and in particular the slave trade has been created since the port of Bordeaux was one of the main slave ports in France. Bordeaux was not the first slave port, but it played an important role in the triangular trade and the slave trade in France. Between 1672 and 1837, nearly 150,000 black slaves were deported from Bordeaux for economic purposes. The Musée d’Aquitaine in Bordeaux offers a permanent exhibition on the history of the city and its region, which includes a section dedicated to the slave trade and the triangular trade. This exhibition provides a better understanding of the role of Bordeaux in the slave trade system and the consequences of this dark period of history on the city and its inhabitants.
Throughout the visit, written comments help visitors understand the context and history of the objects and tools on display. The museum takes its visitors on a captivating journey into the heart of past eras.
The museum’s collection is rich and diversified, with 70,000 unique pieces, all of which have a link to the city of Bordeaux. Even if the majority of French museums appeared in the 19th century, Bordeaux stands out since the history of the first museums of the city begins in 1594 with an exhibition in the City Hall of a Roman relic.
There is a whole collection of objects, paintings, sculptures, busts and statues that have crossed the ages, such as a magnificent bronze of Hercules found under the Place Saint-Pierre, the Venus de Laussel discovered in the Dordogne or the cenotaph in memory of Michel de Montaigne. It is a memorable conservatory where each object bears witness to the history of Aquitaine.
Would you like to know more about the history of the city of Bordeaux and its surroundings? Come aboard our different tourist buses to visit the city of Bordeaux and its surroundings by boarding our visiotour. You wish a more intimate visit? Reserve your seat for the authentic tour now. On board our buses, you can discover the Grand Théâtre, the Cité du Vin, the Big Bell, the statue “Gloria Victis” which pays tribute to Jean Moulin. By crossing the Garonne River, you will discover the right bank and the Darwin district.
Visit Bordeaux throughout the year to discover the city of 100 bells, its history and its historical anecdotes.
Book your tickets online now, or visit our kiosk in the city center near the Place Tourny and the Tourist Office
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 spring flea market in Bordeaux takes place at Place des Quinconces from April 24 to May 10, 2026, confirming its status as a major event in the local calendar. Organized twice a year for several decades, this event structures both the cultural and commercial landscape around antiques and second-hand goods.
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.
The Cité du Vin is hosting the exhibition Around the World in 50 Wine Regions, a visual journey dedicated to the diversity of international wine-growing regions. This programme showcases a selection of photographs from partner regions, each of which has chosen an iconic image to embody its landscape, people or heritage.
The curatorial approach is based on a cross-sectional interpretation of the vineyards, without geographical hierarchy or strict technical classification. The photographs interact with each other through three major themes:
ℹ️ Information for 1 May ℹ️
We will be operating throughout the day on 1 May. The 24-hour and 48-hour passes will not be available.
Tours will run without stops at the following times, departing from the Tourist Office (10 Cours du 30 Juillet): 10.15am – 11.05am – 11.55am – 12.45pm – 2.30pm – 3.20pm – 4.10pm – 5.00pm
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For those who do not wish to purchase a 24-hour or 48-hour pass, we offer tours at 4.10 pm and 5.00 pm without stops, departing from stop no. 1 (10 Cours du 30 Juillet), at a price of €16 (adult fare).
We look forward to welcoming you!
