Cultural trip to the emblematic Musée d'Aquitaine

updated on October 23, 2023 at 3:30 pm

The Musée d'Aquitaine is one of Bordeaux's best-known history museums, and one of the largest in France after Paris. It traces the history of the city and Aquitaine, from prehistory to the present day. The museum is an important part of Bordeaux's heritage and cultural development, thanks to the large number of visitors it attracts and the constant renewal of its programme. Recently, the museum opened its 20th and 21st century areas devoted to Bordeaux and Aquitaine. The art museum houses a number of exhibitions, including a tour, activities with online conferences to enhance your knowledge, collections of mythical objects and a shop where you can take home some souvenirs. Let your curiosity lead you and enjoy this enriching experience.

Summary

History of the Musée d'Aquitaine
Why go there?
Where to stay?
Where to eat?

History of the Musée d'Aquitaine

Created in 1962, it was the museologist Georges Henri Rivière who, after the war, was given the task of renewing museums of history, archaeology and ethnology. The aim was to trace the history of the region right up to the present day. Originally, the Musée d'Aquitaine shared the north wing of the Musée des Beaux-Arts, and was moved to the Cours Pasteur in 1970.

Why go there?

You'll have the chance to discover the history of the region through exhibitions that are presented on a temporary basis each year on the theme of different world cultures. To give you an idea of the programme, throughout the visit there are lectures, film screenings, a round table, guided tours, educational workshops, concerts and meetings with foreign communities.

The 18th-century "Bordeaux, the Atlantic trade and slavery" and 19th-century "Bordeaux, port(e) du monde 1800 - 1939" rooms are impressive. Art is represented by ambient sound videos and multimedia supports. If you want to find out more about the history of the region, this is the place to go. You'll learn a wealth of information about the region's past, as well as observing the exhibitions on display. The museum also has a library that you can visit, which itself has over 27,000 books. The museum's extensive collections cover an area of almost 5,000 m².

The museum has been built from objects, archive documents, engravings and paintings that provide material evidence of the history of slavery and its representations, which until now have been little commented on. As well as recounting history, these museographic spaces are designed to arouse your interest in the history of the region and help you enjoy this immersive visit.

Where to stay?

Staycity Aparthotels is located 500 metres from the Musée d'Aquitaine, and its fully-equipped rooms will ensure you have a pleasant stay.

Booking.com

Staycity Aparthotels Bordeaux City Centre

Located in Bordeaux, near the Grosse Cloche, Saint-Michel Basilica and the Musée d'Aquitaine, Staycity Aparthotels Bordeaux City Centre features a bar.

8.5 Very good

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We also suggest that you stay at theLa Zoologie & Spa Bordeaux hotel. Located 1 km from the museum, it has a spa, gym, garden and restaurant.

Booking.com

Hotel La Zoologie & Spa Bordeaux

Located in Bordeaux, Hotel La Zoologie & Spa Bordeaux features a gym, garden, terrace and restaurant.

8.6 Superb

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Where to eat?

The Son' restaurant offers a warm welcome and creative, gourmet cuisine. Fresh produce from the market, carefully prepared according to the season.

The family-run Lauza bistro offers a selection of local, fresh, seasonal produce to enjoy in a pleasant, bright setting.

Practical information

🚌 How do I get there?

By tram: lines A stop "Hôtel de ville" and line B stop "Musée d'Aquitaine". From the centre of Bordeaux, it takes 5 minutes by tram and then a 7-minute walk.
By car: the Victor Hugo, Pey-Berland and République car parks are located close to the venue.

🚶‍♂️ Duration:

The museum can be visited in 2 or 3 hours. Audioguides are available from the museum reception desk, or you can download the Musée d'Aquitaine app free of charge from Google Play, where the content is available in several languages (French, English and Spanish).

🎟️

Depending on the length of an exhibition, the price changes.

For a temporary exhibition :

Full price: €8
Reduced rate : 4,5 €

When there is no temporary exhibition :

Full rate: €6
Reduced admission : 3,5 €

🕒 Opening times:

The museum is open every day from 11am to 6pm except Mondays and is accessible to PRM.

For group visits, bookings can be made directly by telephone, which you can find on the website.

by Jude JONES | Staff Writer

Jude Jones is a writer and editor from Manchester, England. He is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in History and Modern Languages at the University of Cambridge. He has a keen interest in art, film and literature.

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