Bassins des Lumières Immersive Art Ticket Bordeaux

The former submarine base of Bordeaux

The building that houses the Bassins des Lumières is one of the most striking monuments of the Second World War in France. The submarine base was built between 1941 and 1943 by the occupying forces at the Bassins à flot, the old wet docks of Bordeaux, to shelter submarines operating in the Atlantic. Its roof of reinforced concrete is several metres thick, and the bunker was so massive that it could not be demolished after the war.

Inside are deep water-filled bays, each more than 100 metres long, separated by thick concrete walls. For decades the base stood almost empty before the city turned part of it into a venue for art and events. Walking into this vast, silent space is an experience in itself, and the raw concrete, the dark water and the echo set the scene for the projections.

The immersive digital art exhibitions

Since its opening in 2020, the base has become the largest digital art centre in the world. Dozens of video projectors and a powerful sound system cover the walls, pillars and floors with moving images, while the water of the basins reflects everything and doubles the effect. The programme changes regularly, with a main exhibition of around 40 minutes dedicated to great periods of art history and a shorter accompanying show, often more contemporary.

Your ticket includes both. The shows run in a continuous loop, so you can enter at your time slot, walk along the basins, sit on the edge and watch from different angles, and stay to see a sequence again. Is the Bassins des Lumières worth visiting? For most visitors, yes: it is unlike any traditional museum, and children are captivated by the colours and the scale.

Planning your visit: hours, tickets and access

Your ticket gives a timed entry slot between 10 am and late afternoon; last admission is 1 hour 15 minutes before the venue closes, and opening hours vary by season and on some days. Plan about an hour to an hour and a half inside. The site is described as wheelchair-accessible, and children under six usually enter free on site. The bunker stays cool all year, so bring a light layer even in summer.

How to get to Bassins des Lumières: the site is in the Bacalan district at the Bassins à flot, north of the city centre. Take tram line B to the Bassins à flot area and walk a few minutes along the docks, or use a bus or the river shuttle to the nearby quays. For a comfortable door-to-door visit, our team can arrange a private transfer from your hotel on request.

Around the Bassins à flot docks

The Bassins à flot district is one of the most interesting areas of modern Bordeaux. The 19th-century wet docks, where ships once waited for the tide, are now surrounded by bold new architecture, apartment blocks, restaurants and a waterfront promenade. Next door, the sea and maritime museum tells the story of ships and ports, and the area is popular for a relaxed afternoon stroll beside the water.

From here it is easy to continue along the Garonne towards the Chartrons quarter, with its antique shops and riverside cafes, or take the tram back to the historic centre and Place de la Bourse. Halal restaurants are easy to find in central Bordeaux, so you can plan a meal before or after your visit in the city centre.