Musée national des Douanes

About the museum

The Musée national des douanes occupies the former Hôtel des Fermes du Roi in Bordeaux, built from 1735 to 1738 for the Ferme générale, the private company that collected taxes on behalf of the king. The classical façade is by Jacques Gabriel, and the pediments and the courtyard fountain by Jacques Verberckt. The façades, roofs and paved courtyard have been listed as historic monuments since 1961. The building still houses the interregional directorate of Customs for Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

The museum is housed in the former customs clearance hall, which regained its original form after a restoration carried out in 1982: 40 metres long, with 16 pillars and vaulted ceilings. It closed in December 2023 for a renovation project, then reopened with a new route designed by set designer Isabelle Fourcade.

The chrono-thematic route presents more than 600 objects: the history of the building and of the administration, the fiscal mission around the great balance of the 18th-century Fermes, border surveillance, the fight against fraud with real seizures, the work of customs officers, and the image of customs in popular art. A temporary exhibition space has been created, and mobile display cases free up a third of the hall for events.

Highlights

• Monumental balance of the 18th-century Fermes
• Model of the Hôtel des Fermes with film and synchronised lighting
• Claude Monet’s painting “Cabane des douaniers, effet d’après-midi”
• Real customs seizures: counterfeits, endangered species, cultural goods
• Customs officers’ uniforms, weapons and tools
• 40-metre-long 18th-century customs clearance hall

Permanent exhibition

• Le nouveau parcours permanent – A chrono-thematic route of more than 600 objects traces the history of customs, from the fiscal mission to the fight against fraud and the work of customs officers.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Administration des douanes

Admission & discounts

Admission is also free for job seekers and recipients of minimum social benefits (minima sociaux), holders of a Bordeaux City PASS, the Carte Jeune Bordeaux Métropole or the Carte Bordeaux Découverte, serving or retired customs officers, members of the AHAD and holders of professional cards (ICOM, press, tour guides).

Accessibility

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

The street-level spaces are fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, and the museum has accessible toilets. An easy-to-read guide, produced with ADAPEI de la Gironde and the association Nous aussi, is handed out free at reception. The mediation service designs adapted visits on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The museum holds the Musée Joyeux label. The mascot Newton, a Labrador, accompanies children. A route for young audiences presents the essential points with adapted captions. Three activity booklets for 3- to 6-year-olds, 7- to 9-year-olds and over-9s are free on request. During each school holiday period, playful workshops welcome children aged 3 to 13, and interactive terminals let visitors try out the work of a customs officer.

Getting there & parking

Visitor entrance: 1, place de la Bourse. Bicycle parking on Quai de la Douane, and bike-sharing station no. 102 at 6, quai de la Douane.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Cloakroom for medium-sized bags; suitcases are not accepted. Animals are not admitted.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 130 guests.

Receptions take place in the museum’s galleries, among the collections, in the evenings every day or during the day on Mondays. Seminars, conferences, product launches, cocktails and dinners are possible, with a maximum capacity of 130 people.

Plan your visit