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.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience The Water Mirror
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,819 within 3 miles
Attractions
251 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
6,639 reviews
Excellent
4,202
Very good
1,737
Average
447
Poor
132
Terrible
121
Traveler O
Washington DC, DC849 contributions
Oct 2022
Situated across from Place de la Bourse overlooking the Garonne, the water mirror is a prime attraction to see. Very nice to take pictures by. Peaceful to look at. Just don't be one of the annoying tourists walking through it when it fills up, walk a pet through it, or let a kid splash other people. It's meant to be for everyone, so be respectful and understand not everyone cares about the fake instagram universe.
Take some pics, watch the water rise and fall, and move onto the next sight(s) so others can enjoy this as well.
Take some pics, watch the water rise and fall, and move onto the next sight(s) so others can enjoy this as well.
Written March 17, 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.
Terry M
Hamilton, Canada4,601 contributions
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 November 18, 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.
runhunt
Trowbridge, UK134 contributions
Jul 2020
lovely to people watch here, everyone paddling as the water bubbles up through the cracks onto the mirror paving. kids, parents, grandparents, lovers and dogs a plenty. great ambience and next to the river for good views up and down, do as the locals do and take a picnic and drink a glass of wine as the sun goes down. mind you it gets busy, really busy, all of Bordeaux seems to congregate here in the evening to sit and drink wine and socialise on the grass and watch people play.
Written July 25, 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.
Cameron
Vancouver, Canada4 contributions
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.
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 August 5, 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.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson18,322 contributions
Jul 2022
Bordeaux is surrounded by water courtesy of the Garonne River but it is not something people can swim in (too deep, no beaches) and it is not inviting as its color is more chocolate than anything else. The off-putting opaque cloudiness is actually a result of salt and fresh water interacting. The tide does the churning.
So, here we have the answer to "water water everywhere" but not a drop to swim in: the expansive water mirror aka splash pad allows the people to enjoy strolling through the water and cooling off. Summer in Bordeaux is usually in the mid-80's (F) and the sun is almost always blazing.
And, when lit up, it is amazingly spectacular at night!
So, here we have the answer to "water water everywhere" but not a drop to swim in: the expansive water mirror aka splash pad allows the people to enjoy strolling through the water and cooling off. Summer in Bordeaux is usually in the mid-80's (F) and the sun is almost always blazing.
And, when lit up, it is amazingly spectacular at night!
Written January 10, 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.
simply-peregrinating
Waddington, UK2,758 contributions
Sep 2019
Absolutely a must see if you are in Bordeaux during the summer. Spectactular both during the day and at night. Not only can you stand and admire the reflections from the water pool but you can stand in it. Always people there but usually quite easy to get good photos of the reflections.
Written May 11, 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.
lowryepp
Epping, UK837 contributions
May 2023
Fun in several ways, amusing for all ages. Cool down, enjoy square and river views. Paddle in the shallow water, and enjoy when it does the mist. Often street performers & music. Nice gardens by, plenty of seats. Also good at sunset - take your camera or phone. Close to bus & tram centre.
Written May 28, 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.
retireeVancouver
Vancouver, Canada1,739 contributions
Oct 2022
Walk along the riverside promenade to view this huge shallow pool in Place Bourse. The water level indeed is only a few inches, yet remarkably, provides an excellent reflection of the two 18 century old regal looking buildings behind it even during the day. It's a great photo spot if this is the kind of photo you're interested in taking. I didn't wait around to see an ejection of a foglike mist. The pool attracts teens and kids who like to wade/walk in the pool. Because the pool is so shallow and close to the ground, it doesn't detract from other sights in the area, isn't ugly as pools sometimes are, and doesn't need sculptures in it like those at the Girondin Monument/Fountain. It's footprint is impressive.
Written December 7, 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.
Expatriotscot
London267 contributions
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 January 20, 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.
Need To See It All
Perth, Australia1,088 contributions
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 April 21, 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.
Alicia n
Province of Guadalajara, Spain2 contributions
Hola mi pregunta está maravilla está al aire libre? Tiene coste?
testerfrank
Düsseldorf, Germany5,998 contributions
Esta libre
Patrick W
Vicenza, Italy
Does the pool fill late at night in the summer...11:00pm+? Was there until 11:40pm and no water(hence no night time mirror).
Patrick W
Vicenza, Italy
The pictures at night have water in the the reflection. I was there from 900pm until 1130pm. I saw it steam and fill with water twice, but there was still daylight left. After the sky was finally dark (~1030pm), it never steamed and filled with water. Wonder if they adjust the water filling to the later sun set times.
Jeyananthan Kopalasingam
Paris, France59 contributions
How to go from Bordeaux railway station?
Blair H
Curl Curl, Australia23 contributions
Tram or Uber.
Trams in Bordeaux are brilliant.
Uber means not lines and when you get into the station there are frequently many people also lining up for taxis.
Mimai L
Paris, France15 contributions
J'y suis allée aujourd'hui et il n'y avait pas d'eau... pourtant hier et avent-hier, en passant vite fait devant en voiture, j'ai pu voir qu'il y avait de l'eau. Y'a t il des horaires ou des moments de la journée où ils coupent l'eau???
Jesús C
Barcelona, Spain1,082 contributions
Peut-être il était caché parce que il marche tout le jour
The Water Mirror (Bordeaux) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about The Water Mirror
- We recommend booking The Water Mirror tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 18 The Water Mirror tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience The Water Mirror:
- Early Bird City Tour - Nice morning walk in Bordeaux (From $87.15)
- Bordeaux Old District : Private Walking Tour (From $162.86)
- Bordeaux City - Private Guided Walking Tour with Local Sophia (From $92.60)
- Bordeaux Walking Tour - Private (From $98.05)
- Private Tour of Bordeaux in a Sidecar 1h30 (From $119.83)
- Hotels near The Water Mirror:
- (0.10 mi) Hotel Bleu de Mer
- (0.10 mi) The Playroom
- (0.10 mi) Apparts en ville Place de la Bourse
- (0.23 mi) Hotel Majestic Bordeaux
- (0.15 mi) Hotel Saint Remi
- Restaurants near The Water Mirror:
- (0.02 mi) L'observatoire Du Gabriel
- (0.10 mi) Lume
- (0.10 mi) Restaurant Melodie
- (0.11 mi) Tchin Tchin Wine Bar
- (0.11 mi) Pita Pita