Miroir d'eau and Place de la Bourse

The Miroir d'eau is a shallow reflecting pool of roughly 3,450 square metres laid out on the Quai de la Douane in front of the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. Opened in 2006 as part of the redevelopment of the Garonne quays, it covers the paving with a film of water only a few millimetres deep, so the 18th-century facade designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel is mirrored almost perfectly when the surface is still. The frame faces the Place de la Bourse from the quay side, with the Fontaine des Trois Grâces at the centre of the square behind it. Because the facade faces the river, the best reflection shots are made from the water's edge looking inland, using a low camera position just above the wet stone. The pool cycles between a still mirror phase, a fine mist phase and a drained phase, so photographers can wait for the mirror phase and plan mist frames separately. Light is best in the soft early morning, when the facade is evenly lit and few people are present, and at blue hour, when the illuminated stone glows against a deep sky. Midday sun produces glare and strong shadows and is the least rewarding time. The fountain operates from spring to autumn; in winter and during maintenance it is switched off, which removes the reflection. The spot becomes very crowded on summer afternoons and evenings, with children playing in the water and visitors walking through the frame; arriving at first light and setting up at the downstream end of the pool gives the cleanest foreground. Tripods are generally tolerated on the open quay for non-commercial photography, but they should not block the pedestrian flow, and there is no entry fee. Drone use over the historic centre is restricted and should be checked against current French rules before flying. Public restrooms and cafes are located along the quay and in the adjoining streets.