France Guide
Poitou-Charentes and the Atlantic coast
Musée des Beaux-Arts
Opening time: Daily except Tues 11am–6pm
Price: Free
The cream of Bordeaux's museums is to be found scattered in the streets around the cathedral. Directly behind the classical Hôtel de Ville, formerly Archbishop Rohan's palace, the Musée des Beaux-Arts has a small but star-studded selection of European fine art, featuring works by Titian and Rubens among others, and often hosts imaginative or distinguished temporary exhibitions (usually €5). More engaging, however, is the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (daily except Tues 2–6pm; free), two blocks north on rue Bouffard and housed in a handsome eighteenth-century house. The exhibits are fine paintings, porcelain and furniture, arranged into a series of beguiling eighteenth- and nineteenth-century salons.