Bassins des Lumières

INCROYABLE!!!! We visited this amazing site on a sunny day in September…and we were awestruck! Culturespaces has done an outstanding job of creating something beautiful from something truly ugly from a very ugly time. And the main exhibitions change, which would support regular visits! It is simple to get to this art center from the heart of Bordeaux…an easy tram ride and then an accessible walk--winding alongside gardens, grassy areas and the exterior of the historic submarine base itself, with its bullet and bomb holes, etc. We made our online reservations easily ahead of time. Entrance through security and then into the center itself was efficient and pleasant. Once inside…WOW! One does not forget the awful history behind this German submarine base, but we were absolutely blown away at how this has been converted to a unique art space with a huge multi-media experience! We enjoyed absolutely every moment of the different media experiences in different rooms. There is limited bench seating within the main space. My husband returned to the front desk and requested a wheelchair for me, as I am unable to stand for long periods of time. They were quick to accommodate his request, which thankfully lengthened our visit time. Bassins des Lumières is a must-do experience for every visitor to (and every resident of) Bordeaux!

Wonderful experience that fully immersed us into the beauty of ancient egyptian art! The visuals were spectacular and the music well chosen. Great use of an old submarine base.

Inside Bassins des Lumières, the ocean doesn’t just surround you—it breathes. This former submarine base, all concrete muscle and industrial history, becomes something else entirely when light, water, and sound take over. An art installation about the sea plays across massive walls, but the real magic happens below, where the reflections ripple across the water and double everything. It’s hypnotic. Disarming. The kind of beauty that sneaks past your defenses and hits somewhere deeper than you expected. You stand there, quietly, watching waves made of light move across the surface, and for a moment the noise of the outside world shuts up. The reflections feel alive—soft, endless, almost emotional. Even the hardest soul, the most cynical observer, would have trouble not feeling something here. This isn’t an exhibition you rush through. It asks you to slow down, to let the ocean do what it has always done best: remind you how small you are, and why that’s not such a bad thing. A practical note, because romance doesn’t excuse logistics: get parking sorted beforehand. The place draws crowds, and circling the area looking for a spot pulls you right out of the spell before you even walk in. Plan ahead, arrive calm, and let the water and light do their work. This isn’t just digital art. It’s atmosphere. Memory. A quiet, immersive experience that lingers long after you step back into the streets of Bordeaux, still seeing waves where there are none.

One of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had whilst on holiday. The feeling when you walk inside the exhibition is unmatched - you have to try it to experience it! You can’t go to Bordeaux without visiting here.

One of the coolest art exhibits ever. Similar to the one in Las Vegas, but what makes this one special, is that it's within a WWII submarine bunker. Absolutely fantastic! Love how they're revitalizing the surrounding area too. A must see with your Citypass

Not for us. The day we went, the exhibition we went to see wasn't on as it was a Sunday they had a special presentation. The little princess, we should have known just by the name, it was a childrens fantasy exhibition. We asked before we paid $54 if it was suitable for older people and the teenager said it would. The redeeming feature was it was housed in a WWII submarine bunker and the story was interesting. 5 minutes.

Absolutely fantastic! The magic is the fact the exhibition is in a World War Two submarine building. History at its best. The Ocean exhibition is outstanding.

Visited the Pharaoh exhibition. Stunning light show immersed with a great soundtrack. Small section on the history of the submarine base. A little more would make it more interesting.