Miroir d'eau (Water Mirror)
A thin sheet of water on the quays, reflecting Place de la Bourse or wrapped in mist, depending on the time of day.
History
The Water Mirror was inaugurated in July 2006, as part of the major redevelopment of Bordeaux's quays led by landscape architect Michel Corajoud. Designed by Jean-Max Llorca and Pierre Gangnet, it covers 3,450 m², right opposite Place de la Bourse. On a granite slab, two centimetres of water form an almost perfect mirror of the 18th-century facades; then the water drains away and a mist up to two metres high takes over for a few minutes. With this surface area, it ranks among the largest water mirrors in the world. It quickly became part of everyday life for Bordeaux residents, somewhere between a promenade and a playground, and is now one of the city's best-known images.
What to see there
- The reflection of Place de la Bourse in the sheet of water
- The mist that rises intermittently, on a set cycle
- The cycle of about twenty minutes: mirror, then mist
- The very different mood depending on the time and the light
Our tip
Come at the end of the day, as the light fades over the water and the facades light up. The mirror is switched off in winter.
On our walks
- The historic heart — 2h30 · 5.0 km
Nearby addresses
- LouLou — 16 rue de la Croix des Aides — Elegant French brasserie, unpretentious. Good wine list, pleasant terrace. 📍
- Maison du glacier — 1 pl. Saint-Pierre — Bordeaux's best ice cream according to many. Queue is justified. 📍
- Madame Pang — 16 rue de la Devise — Fusion Asian, very well executed, small space, very popular. Reservations advised. 📍
- Déméter — 9 rue Ausone — Sharing neo-bistro, creative small plates, natural wines. One of our favourites. 📍
All our neighbourhood addresses
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