After several years of closure, the museum of decorative arts and design in Bordeaux is set to reopen its doors on April 22, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of the city’s cultural landscape. Closed since 2023, the institution has undergone an extensive renovation project aimed at modernizing its infrastructure while enhancing its architectural heritage.
Located in the heart of Bordeaux, within the Hôtel de Lalande and a former 19th-century prison, the museum has been completely restructured to unify these two historic buildings into a coherent and fluid visitor pathway. This architectural intervention now enables optimized circulation between spaces while improving accessibility for all audiences.
Beyond heritage restoration, the project integrates a strong environmental dimension, with a significant reduction in the building’s energy consumption and the use of bio-based materials. This technical orientation reflects a clear intention to position the madd as a museum aligned with current climate challenges.
Visitor facilities have also been entirely redesigned, with the addition of new services such as a shop, a restaurant, and expanded exhibition areas. The objective is to enhance the visitor experience by offering a clearer and more intuitive route, while encouraging hybrid uses between culture, design, and mediation.
The reopening is accompanied by a structured program built around several exhibitions, including some dedicated to contemporary design. Among them, the exhibition focused on Pauline Deltour illustrates the museum’s ambition to create a dialogue between contemporary creation and historical heritage.
Other exhibitions complement this offering, particularly around ceramics and curated selections from the collections, allowing visitors to explore different dimensions of decorative arts. This diversity reflects a curatorial strategy aimed at broadening audiences while strengthening the clarity of the museum’s narrative.
This reopening is not simply a return to normal operations, but a complete repositioning of the museum within the local cultural ecosystem. The madd now aims to become a reference venue combining heritage, design, and societal reflection, within a renewed framework adapted to contemporary expectations.
The visit becomes an immersive experience, where objects, forms, and materials tell a story at the intersection of art and everyday uses. It offers a compelling opportunity to rediscover Bordeaux through a different lens, balancing tradition and innovation.
To complement this cultural experience, exploring Bordeaux can continue aboard the Bordeaux City Tours double-decker bus. This panoramic route provides a structured overview of the city’s architecture, iconic districts, and major urban landmarks, perfectly complementing the museum visit.
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!
