The complex world of wine is explored in-depth at ground-breaking La Cité du Vin, a stunning piece of contemporary architecture resembling a wine decanter on the banks of the River Garonne. The curvaceous gold building glitters in the sun and its 3000 sq meters of exhibits are equally sensory and sensational. Digital guides lead visitors around 20 themed sections covering everything from vine cultivation, grape varieties and wine production to ancient wine trade, 21st-century wine trends and celebrated personalities.
Immersive exhibits (lots of sniffing and smelling) end with a glass of wine or grape juice in the 8th-floor Le Belvédère bar with a 30m-long bar, chandelier made out of recycled wine bottles and sensational city panorama. To taste while you tour, reserve a Via Sensoria tasting tour led by a sommelier, with four unexpected wine-and-season pairings. Temporary exhibitions and themed 1-hour tasting workshops are also worth watching out for.
All tickets are date-stamped; "open" tickets ensure priority access without the queues. To get here, take tram B (direction Bassins à Flots) from Esplanade des Quinconnes, or walk 2.5km north along the river.
