From the Greek goddess Hecate to the healers accused during the trials of the 17th century, the figure of the witch has crossed the centuries and continues to fascinate. The Musée d’Aquitaine devotes a major exhibition to her, “Tremblez, tremblez! Les sorcières sont parmi nous” (Tremble, tremble! Witches are among us), from 15 October 2026 to 23 May 2027.
At a glance
The exhibition traces the complex history of the witch, from the ancient goddess Hecate and medieval healers to the great waves of persecution of the 16th and 17th centuries, notably marked by a 1609 investigation in Bordeaux. It shows how this figure was shaped over the centuries by religious and misogynistic constructions, before undergoing a spectacular resurgence in pop culture and the feminist movements of the 1970s, becoming today a genuine popular icon.
The exhibition combines historical objects, artworks, and contemporary perspectives to examine what the figure of the witch reveals about our societies, past and present.
To celebrate the exhibition’s launch, the Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux takes over the museum on Friday 16 October 2026 for a three-hour immersive evening where dance, costumes, and legends intertwine. Dancers bring to life the famous Sabbath dances that have shaped the collective imagination for centuries. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume (cloaks, mysterious robes, pointed hats, or fantastical accessories), and the Opera provides costume pieces from its own reserves for those who need them.
Allow 1 to 1.5 hours to explore the exhibition. Since the Musée d’Aquitaine also houses rich permanent collections on the history of Bordeaux and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, half a day lets you discover everything at a relaxed pace.
Admission is free for under-18s, and the subject, blending legend and history, lends itself well to a family visit, though some content related to historical persecution may call for guidance with younger children.
💡 Bordeaux City Tours’ tip
The Musée d’Aquitaine, on cours Pasteur in the heart of Bordeaux, also hosts the “Un globe des mondes” exhibition until 13 December 2026: the perfect opportunity to combine both exhibitions in a single visit, before extending your walk nearby toward Place de la Victoire and the Saint-Michel district.
The Musée d’Aquitaine is served by the Sainte Catherine stop of our Bordeaux Visiotour Hop-on Hop-off bus, barely a 3-minute walk away, easy to combine with a stroll toward the Grosse Cloche and the Saint-Pierre district, or simply hop back on to discover another part of Bordeaux.
Allow 1 to 1.5 hours for the exhibition alone.
€6 full price, €3.50 reduced, free for under-18s.
The exhibition runs from 15 October 2026 to 23 May 2027.
An immersive evening held on 16 October 2026 by the Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux to celebrate the exhibition’s opening, featuring Sabbath dances, with costumes encouraged.
At 20 cours Pasteur, in Bordeaux, near Place de la Victoire.
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