Musee d'Aquitaine, Bordeaux Centre

History museum & heritage centre for Bordeaux & the Aquitaine region

featured in Sights & sites

This excellent museum recounts the history of Bordeaux and the Aquitaine region from prehistoric times through to the 20th century.

With over 700,000 pieces, this large collection, divided into sections on history, ethnography and archaeology, is one of the best museums in Bordeaux. Created, in its current form, in 1962 under the guidance of the museologist Georges Henri Rivière, who was responsible for the post-war reorganisation of French history, archaeology and ethnology museums.

The Museum of Aquitaine initially occupied the north wing of the Musée des Beaux-Arts building. In the 1970s it was decided to install the museum in Cours Pasteur. The main space was renovated in 2009 and it is very much considered to be both a heritage museum as well as museum of civilisation.

Visitor comments

"A great place to learn about the history and culture of Aquitaine, from the distant past, all the way up to the present day." - Trip Advisor
"I thought I had made a mistake when I entered this museum as the first exhibit was of prehistoric Bordeaux - think stone tools & very old bones. But as I went through the museum I realized that there is a time line here & it gets better as one goes through the museum. There is something to satisfy everyone here." - Trip Advisor
"Excellent history of the region and Bordeaux with stunning displays from pre-history to the 19th century. Some truly wonderful artifacts." - Trip Advisor

When to come

Open daily from 11:00 to 18:00, closed on Mondays and public holidays.

How to get passes

Tickets cost 6.50€. Reduced rate of 3.40€ for groups of 10 people or more, students and the unemployed. Free on the first Sunday of each month (except in July & August).