Press Review: La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux

The Cité du Vin in Bordeaux was inaugurated yesterday by François Hollande, and even though there was a lot of talk about roadblocks, protests, and traffic jams caused by the politicians’ visit, the press is unanimous: the Cité du Vin is now the new...

“The Cité du Vin Opens in Bordeaux” in Le Monde

Le Monde presents a series of stunning images showcasing the building’s architecture and interior design, a project entrusted to the Paris-based firm XTU and the British firm Casson Mann. The result: three years of construction at a total cost of 81 million euros (of which 49 million were spent on construction and interior design).

“La Cité du Vin: A Permanent Exhibition Filled with Ingenuity by CassonMann” on France TV Info

Jean-Pierre Stahl of Côté Châteaux focused on the entire scenographic aspect of the Cité du Vin. A guided tour of the 3,000-square-meter permanent exhibition, featuring a ship-themed room tracing the history of the maritime wine trade, a gallery of civilizations, a “five senses” buffet, and an encounter with 50 winemakers from 10 wine-growing regions around the world… In short, everything is designed to take you on a sensory journey through the world of wine!

“The Light Show at La Cité du Vin” on France 3 Aquitaine

For the opening day of the Cité du Vin, France 3 Aquitaine set up cameras to capture the changing shapes, colors, and movements of light on the building. Magical!

“The Challenges Facing the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux” in Challenges

If the Cité du Vin does indeed have a political dimension, it is because this new building aims to assert the status of the Bordeaux vineyards and the capital of Aquitaine as the center of the global wine industry. GEORGES GOBET / AFP

If the Cité du Vin does indeed have a political dimension, it is because this new building aims to assert the status of the Bordeaux vineyards and the capital of Aquitaine as the center of the global wine industry. This was a role already recognized for the region but one that had no concrete expression: there was no wine exchange, no historical museum, and few tasting venues open to visitors. “Bordeaux isn’t the only region in the world that produces wine, but it is certainly the largest among the most prestigious wine regions, and it’s the best-known name for wine,” explains Didier Arino, director of the firm Protourisme, which advised the city at the start of the project back in 1999. “All our research pointed to the need to create a venue open to the general public, 365 days a year.”