CAPC musée d'art contemporain de Bordeaux

About the museum

The CAPC occupies the Entrepôt Lainé, built between 1822 and 1824 by the architect Claude Deschamps to store colonial goods, on the edge of the Chartrons district. When trade left the building with the opening of the Bacalan basins, the warehouse lost its use, closed permanently in 1972 and was threatened with demolition.

Thanks to a campaign to save it, the City of Bordeaux bought the building in 1973, and it was listed as a historic monument. The CAPC moved in in 1974, and the experimental festival Sigma was held there from 1975 to 1989. The architecture centre arc en rêve arrived on the same site in 1980.

In 1984 the CAPC became the contemporary art museum of Bordeaux. From 1990 it occupied almost the entire building, including the great nave and the floors served by open galleries. The museum is run by the City of Bordeaux and offers exhibitions, a library, a shop and a café.

Highlights

• 19th-century Entrepôt Lainé transformed into a museum
• Great nave used for contemporary art exhibitions
• Guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 15:00
• Play areas and workshops for children
• Café on the rooftop terrace

Permanent exhibition

• Entrepôt Lainé et collection du Capc – The 19th-century building houses the museum’s exhibitions, the collection and play areas for children.

Founded

1973

Operated by

Ville de Bordeaux

Visitors per year

approx. 147,003

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month, except in July and August.

When there is no exhibition in the nave, admission costs €6 full price and €3.50 reduced. Admission is also free, on proof, for holders of the Carte jeune Bordeaux Métropole, the Pass Musées Bordeaux or the Bordeaux Métropole CityPass, recipients of social minimum benefits, artists affiliated with the Maison des artistes, and members of ICOM, CIMAM or ICOMOS.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The lift allows you to go up alone to the second floor; for the first floor (mezzanines and library), you need to call the museum to be accompanied by a member of staff. Tactile tours are offered as part of the sensory visits, and an easy-read booklet is available at reception. The site’s accessibility statement indicates partial compliance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Playful family visits from 20 months, holiday workshops for ages 7 to 15 and parent-child workshops from age 3, by reservation. Free Kids booklets and open-access play areas accompany the exhibitions.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café du Musée, with rooftop terrace, open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 18:00. A library can be consulted on site and by appointment.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Hire available for meetings, conferences, evening events and dinners with a private visit of the exhibitions; a dinner has already taken place in the great nave.

Plan your visit