Museum of Illusions Entry Tickets Bordeaux

The Museum of Illusions in Bordeaux: a world of perception

The Museum of Illusions is an interactive museum devoted to the way our brain interprets what we see. Instead of looking at objects behind glass, you become part of the exhibits: you walk into tilted rooms, lean into mirrors and stand in front of images that seem to move, change or disappear depending on where you are.

It is one of the most family-friendly attractions in Bordeaux and a popular answer to the question of what to do in Bordeaux with kids or on a grey afternoon. Visitors of all ages laugh their way through the rooms, and every installation comes with a short explanation, so children and adults leave understanding a little more about light, perspective and the tricks the brain plays on us.

Illusion rooms, holograms and puzzles: what you will see

Inside, the visit leads you through a series of sensory illusions, mind-bending holograms and perspective-changing puzzles. Some images shift as you walk past them, others hide a second picture you only notice once it is pointed out, and some puzzles seem impossible until you find the trick.

The highlights for most visitors are the illusion rooms built for photographs. In one you appear to float in mid-air, in another you seem to stand upside down, and in a room with a cleverly distorted perspective one person looks like a giant while another shrinks to a tiny size. Bring a charged phone or camera: the museum is designed for creative, surprising photos.

Planning your visit: tickets, timing and tips

Your ticket is for a timed entry slot; slots run every half-hour from the morning into the evening, so it is easy to fit the visit around other plans. Most people spend about an hour inside, but there is no fixed limit on how long you stay once you are in. Children have a reduced rate, and the museum is wheelchair accessible.

Food and drinks are not allowed inside, so eat before or after your visit. The quietest times are usually the first slots of the morning and the evening, which also make for better photos without others in the background. Weekends and school holidays are busiest, so booking your Museum of Illusions Bordeaux tickets in advance is a good idea.

Around the museum: central Bordeaux on foot

The museum lies in central Bordeaux, so your visit combines easily with a walk through the historic centre, much of which is listed by UNESCO for its elegant 18th-century architecture. Within walking distance you can stroll along Rue Sainte-Catherine, one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe, or head to the cathedral quarter around Pey-Berland.

A little further, on the riverfront, Place de la Bourse and its Water Mirror, the vast shallow reflecting pool laid along the Garonne quays, are among the most photographed sights in the city. Pair the Museum of Illusions with a river walk or a ride on the tram for a relaxed half-day in Bordeaux.