Musée National des Douanes
About This Museum
Tucked away on the elegant Place de la Bourse, the Musée National des Douanes is a true original, turning the seemingly bureaucratic world of customs into a riveting narrative. It occupies a wing of the Hôtel des Fermes, a building that once hummed with the activity of tax collectors. Forget dry administrative history; here, you'll find confiscated contraband, intricate tax stamps, and paintings that reveal how borders have shaped France's economic and social fabric. The entire experience feels like uncovering a secret layer of the nation's story.
Collection Highlights
Look for the beautifully crafted counterfeit scales hidden in books and canes—testaments to endless ingenuity in smuggling. A series of satirical 19th-century paintings by Isidore Bettanier powerfully dramatizes the human dramas at the border. Don't miss the reconstructed customs officer's post from the 1940s, complete with a wood-burning stove and all its period details.
Visitor Information
It's surprisingly uncrowded, so you can linger without being jostled. The staff are genuinely passionate and often share fascinating anecdotes if you ask. Give yourself a good hour or two to really absorb it all.
Architecture & Building
The museum is set within an austere, classical 18th-century stone building designed by Jacques V Gabriel, featuring grand arched doorways and a sense of sober authority that perfectly suits its original purpose.
Contact & Location
Address: Musée national des Douanes, 1, Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux, Port de la Lune, Bordeaux Centre, Bordeaux, Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France métropolitaine, 33000, France
Phone: +33 9 70 27 57 66
Website: Visit Website
