With over 70,000 items in its collection, Bordeaux’s Museum of Aquitaine has something to interest every type of visitor. The main body of the collection comprises archeological finds and artifacts from the region; highlights include the tomb of the great writer and philosopher (and one-time mayor of Bordeaux) Michel de Montaigne and the Roman Altar of Tutela, which dates from the 1st century. The museum also houses over 5,000 artifacts from abroad, where France was active in the age of exploration. An exhibition dedicated to the abolition of slavery examines the France's relationship to countries that were once its colonies.
Located in the heart of Bordeaux, the museum is easy to get to on foot or by bike or via the city tram; the closest station is Musée d’Aquitaine on Line B.
The museum is open daily except for Mondays and public holidays. It’s usually at its busiest on Sunday afternoons, so plan to visit at another time for a quieter experience.
The region of Bordeaux is well known as a wine-growing hotspot; in fact, wine has been made here for almost 2,000 years. Join a winery tour to see (and taste) this centuries-old tradition in action. Beyond wine, the region is also famous for its seafood—including fresh mussels and oysters—as well as foie gras, mushrooms, and truffles.