Miroir d'Eau (Water Mirror), Bordeaux

Miroir d'Eau (Water Mirror), Bordeaux (must see)

Just across from the majestic Stock Exchange Palace lies one of Bordeaux鈥檚 most playful and poetic features: the Water Mirror. Far from being a static monument, it鈥檚 a living canvas of water, light and reflection that invites you to step in (quite literally).

Created in 2006 during the quayside revitalization project, this reflecting pool covers about 3,450 square meters and is made of smooth granite slabs over which a thin 2 cm layer of water flows. The design was conceived by landscape artist Michel Corajoud, with engineering and architectural input from Jean-Max Llorca and Pierre Gangnet.

Beneath the apparent simplicity lies a technical marvel: an underground reservoir of 800 cubic meters and a network of pumps and channels that constantly cycle water and power mist effects through nearly 900 injectors.

Throughout the day, the Water Mirror cycles in phases: it fills, displays a perfect mirror surface reflecting the classical fa莽ades and sky, then drains briefly, followed by a soft mist rising from the slabs. The mist can reach up to 2 meters high, creating an ephemeral veil over the square.

Locals and visitors alike flock here: children dash through the shallow water, couples stroll hand in hand, and photographers line up to frame the mirror image of the city.
Because the Water Mirror operates only from spring through fall (typically April to October), in winter months the slabs lie dry but still carry an austere beauty.

Plan a slightly longer stop here 鈥� both for visual delight and the fun of interaction. The shifting reflection, the sudden burst of mist, and the laughter of children 鈥� it鈥檚 a moment in Bordeaux that feels alive, even when the water is still.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bordeaux. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Miroir d'Eau (Water Mirror)
Sight Location: Bordeaux, France (See walking tours in Bordeaux)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Bordeaux Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Bordeaux, France

Create Your Own Walk in Bordeaux

Creating your own self-guided walk in Bordeaux is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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Perhaps the best place to start your culinary adventure here is the bustling Capuchins Market (March茅 des Capucins), where you can savor... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

Bordeaux Introduction Walking Tour

Bordeaux鈥檚 story begins long before vineyards and grand squares 鈥� its earliest name, Burdigala, suggests a Celtic origin tied to rich soil and waterways. Over time, its location on the meandering Garonne shaped both its identity and destiny. As the river curves through the city, it forms a crescent: hence Bordeaux鈥檚 poetic nickname, Port of the Moon, a name used since the Middle Ages to... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

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The... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

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Napoleon Bonaparte referred to Bordeaux as "The Sleeping Beauty" upon seeing its classical architecture when visiting the city. In his turn, Honore de Balzac, the renowned French novelist, impressed by Bordeaux's timeless charm and elegance described it as "an extraordinary town".

Indeed, Bordeaux is one of Europe's most original architectural centers. More... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

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