Reader's Digest

wet slabs of granite to create a per-

fect reflection of the magnificent

18th-century buildings framing this

elegant square. At precisely that mo-

ment the loodlights at the foot of the

building facades switch on creating

an image of instant beauty that is

received with a mix of “wows” and

“oohs” and the clicking of cameras.

It’s the ultimate iconic image of

the city of Bordeaux. he whole thing

lasts a minute or two then it’s gone.

The sky turns black and the tiny

holes between the water mirror’s

tiles start spewing a thin vapour of

droplets at the beginning of its next

‘ill’ cycle.

SATISFIED I PACK UP my camera

and cross the street to reacquaint my-

self with the Old City which I last vis-

ited ten years ago before the Water

Mirror was built. I have fond mem-

ories of its limestone buildings and

laid-back atmosphere. Although Bor-

deaux is some 2000 years old the en-

tire Old City with some exceptions is

A

T A TABLE ON A SMALL
TERRACE overlooking
the Garonne River I’ve
just finished a classic
southern French dish
of scallops and shellfish. The res-
taurant seems to be one of the last
on the block to cater to more locals
than tourists. I sip from a glass of co-
gnac with my cofee and wait for the
moment when the bright sky reaches
that post-sunset shade of dark blue
that is perfect for evening photogra-
phy. As it nears I inish my glass and
walk 200 metres to join a throng of
photographers on the boulevard
across from the Place de la Bourse.
We gather at the edge of the Miroir
d’Eau (‘water mirror’). It is a shallow
pool the size of a sports field that
goes through an eternal 15-minute
cycle of illing with about two centi-
metres of water then emptying out.
I place my camera on a small tripod
and wait.
After a few minutes the water has
drained away leaving a ield of lat PHOTO: (PREVIOUS SPREAD) ©SARANYA33/SHUTTERSTOCK

BORDEAUX RISING