The Water Mirror
The Water Mirror
4.5
About
The "Miroir d'Eau" is less than 10 years old, but located just across from a monument nearly 3 centuries old, it has become one of the city's main attractions.
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  • Brucestewart
    Livingston, United Kingdom10,155 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unusual feature to be enjoyed by all
    We came across this fun feature one evening after dinner. Needless to say when my wife saw several other people walking barefoot across the 'Mirror' she took off her shoes and joined them. She said the water was warm no doubt because it had been a warm sunny day.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 April 2024
  • Fiona C
    Melbourne, Australia133 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Mirror Wall or Mirror D’Eau
    Located between the Garonne River and Place de la Bourse, the Mirror Wall is only 2cm deep but reflects the day perfectly. Only 20 years old yet is the most-photographed site in Bordeaux and is listed as a contemporary World Heritage Site by Unesco. Take a stroll along the Garonne River, enjoy the park and city, watch children splash and later at night get the perfect reflection photo.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 May 2024
  • Steve_Grant1
    Oldham, United Kingdom1,770 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Different
    This is a one off attraction. Well set in front of the square to catch the reflections. The weather at the time of your visit is a key factor. We visited on a number of occasions, The worst was when it was cloudy and there was some rain in the air. The best were when it was sunny and also late at night when the lights are on the buildings and the crowds have depleted . Timing is a key factor.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 August 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles6,674 reviews
Excellent
4,214
Very good
1,750
Average
455
Poor
134
Terrible
121

GlendaW
Lunenburg, Canada9 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
Bordeaux was such a beautiful city to visit and we thoroughly enjoyed walking around the Place De La Bourse and as it was a hot day the Mirror was the place to be! Everyone had their shoes off walking in the water and many little kids were swimming and playing in the water. A fabulous time had by all👍👍❤️ a must see ( even if the mirror doesn’t always look like the tourist one - 10/10 for Bordeaux
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cameron
Vancouver, Canada5 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Solo
No idea why this is listed so high in here and in every guidebook.

The pool seems to function as a public waterpark all summer, which of course means no reflective effect.

The usual advice of going in the morning doesn’t work here, because they don’t turn the water on until 10am. Maybe it’s nice during the rest of the yeah though.
Written 5 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

irawine
Benicia, CA637 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
The water mirror is a really nice experience, particularly when Mother Nature is cooperating. We happened to be there on a day with bright blue sky and big puffy white clouds. The reflection in the water was great and not to be missed.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

malharris30
Sheffield, UK47 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Couples
What a disappointment! This is advertised as the best view in Bordeaux and features on all the advertising leaflets and booklets for the city. The wonderful water rising out of the floor gradually presenting a fantastic photo opportunity or watching the mist rising every half an hour or so. Either early in the morning when the sun comes up, or late at night once the sun has gone down beyond the Place de la Bourse. And then, when we got there, camera in hand, imagine our disappointment to find red and white solid bollards along the road which separates the water mirror from the buildings beyond, completely spoiling the photographic experience. And there the blocks remained all week. Why were they there? Why were they red and white and not grey slate coloured to fit in with the surrounding buildings? Horrendous. Bad enough to have the odd tram or bus cross the square, but this?! Spoiled my holiday.
Written 27 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Expatriotscot
London286 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
The water mirror wasn't working at the time of our visit in January. Presumably for fear of the underground reservoir freezing up and cracking its walls, or the pavement becoming so slippery injuries would result. Perfectly good reasons for closure. However there's no excuse for Bordeaux Tourism for not putting this information on their website. It didn't matter to us, but annoying if you'd traveled a distance one evening to see it.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Terry M
Hamilton, Canada4,897 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
Opposite the Place de la Bourse is a shallow pool [two centimeters, less than an inch deep] allowing for impressive reflections of the square. It is the largest reflecting pool in the world, covering almost 3,500 square meters. It is actually designed for people to walk in it, something children of course revel in. It is apparently drained and refilled every thirty minutes save for the winter period. It was inaugurated in 2006.
Written 18 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fiona C
Melbourne, Australia133 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
Located between the Garonne River and Place de la Bourse, the Mirror Wall is only 2cm deep but reflects the day perfectly. Only 20 years old yet is the most-photographed site in Bordeaux and is listed as a contemporary World Heritage Site by Unesco.

Take a stroll along the Garonne River, enjoy the park and city, watch children splash and later at night get the perfect reflection photo.
Written 30 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Need To See It All
Perth, Australia1,068 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
I didn't do a lot of research on this one, but I was surprised that it wasn't a pool, it is a big open space with flat stone tiles, upon which jets spray water on a timer. Since it isn't a big pool, people walk all over it, so there is nearly always someone in the way of your view, and it ruins the "mirror" experience. You'll almost definitely see it if you go to Bordeaux in summer, but don't make a particular effort, there are better ways to spend your time.
Written 21 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
This is a magnificent spectacle when you are there at the right time. A water mirror sounded a little weird, but when we got there and experienced it, we loved it. The area across from Place de la Bourse, and next to the river Garonne, is quite huge. The water springs from holes in the granite ground and fills the whole area for a few minutes (only a couple of centimetres high). At times a very fine mist comes up. It is enjoyable when you want some relaxation time. And the views all around are fantastic as well.
Written 13 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brucestewart
Livingston, UK10,155 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
We came across this fun feature one evening after dinner. Needless to say when my wife saw several other people walking barefoot across the 'Mirror' she took off her shoes and joined them. She said the water was warm no doubt because it had been a warm sunny day.
Written 10 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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THE WATER MIRROR (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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