Situated on the bank of the Garonne River in Bordeaux, the staggeringly ambitious La Cite du Vin wine museum is finally open.

 

Built at an estimated cost of close to €100 million, the museum celebrates the national breadth of French wine culture in a stunning building designed by architects Anouk Legendre and Nicolas Desmazieres from XTU architects to resemble the shape of wine being swirled in a glass.

 

Inside you’ll find 24 themed areas including Belvedere, a wine tasting room on the eighth floor with 360-degree views of Bordeaux. There are two restaurants—Restaurant Le 7 offers seasonal dishes with panoramic views and Latitude20 is a snack bar with a handsome wine cellar. Tickets cost €20 ($20). Get your e-ticket on the museum website before visiting.

 

British Airways flies from Singapore to Bordeaux via London from $1,161 (all-in, return).