Yes. A free municipal parking lot is located in front of the Base sous-marine. Visitors also have access to a secure parking lot; it is recommended to plan your parking in advance, especially during periods of high attendance.

Exhibition: ‘Dinosaurs: The Immersive Experience’ Bassins des Lumières from 3 October 2026

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Discover ‘Dinosaurs: The Immersive Experience’ at the Bassins des Lumières in Bordeaux. Travel back 66 million years and witness T. rex, Velociraptors, pterosaurs, mosasaurs and Dreadnoughtus in monumental projections. With prehistoric landscapes, spectacular scenes, fossils and narration, this audiovisual adventure invites young and old alike to explore the fascinating world of dinosaurs in a whole new way.

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Exhibition: ‘Dinosaurs: The Immersive Experience’

PREHISTORIC PLANET Exhibition Dinosaurs, The Immersive Experience

€16

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What to expect

Imagine being transported millions of years back in time, to an era when the Earth was inhabited by gigantic and fascinating creatures. In Bordeaux, the Bassins des Lumières presents Dinosaurs: The Immersive Experience, an audiovisual adventure that invites visitors to rediscover the prehistoric world in a completely different way. From 3 October 2026, this experience will transform the vast spaces of the former submarine base into a spectacular setting dedicated to dinosaurs. ([Bassins de Lumières][1])

The aim is not simply to present depictions of dinosaurs: the experience seeks to completely immerse the audience in their environment. The images cover the vast surfaces of the venue, allowing visitors to find themselves at the centre of a world where prehistoric creatures seem to come to life all around them. This audiovisual approach offers a unique outing, particularly appealing to families, prehistory enthusiasts and anyone wishing to discover a cultural exhibition in a different form.

Dinosaurs, the Immersive Experience: a spectacular journey to the heart of prehistory

Travelling 66 million years back in time

The journey begins around 66 million years ago. This distant era serves as the starting point for an exploration dedicated to the extraordinary animals that have shaped the history of our planet.

Throughout the projections, several iconic creatures appear in impressive scale. The famous T. rex shares the screen with Velociraptors, whilst giant pterosaurs allow the exploration to extend to the world of flight. The mosasaurs, meanwhile, highlight the importance of marine environments during this era, whilst the gigantic Dreadnoughtus offers a different perspective on large prehistoric herbivores.

This diversity challenges the traditional image of dinosaurs as being solely associated with large terrestrial predators. Visitors discover various types of creatures and different aspects of their lives on a journey designed to stimulate curiosity and the imagination.

A 360° visual immersion

The distinctive feature of this exhibition lies in its immersive format. The 360° projections make use of the exceptional architecture of the Bassins des Lumières to create an enveloping experience. The images are not confined to a frontal surface: they fill the space and accompany the visitor on their exploration.

This setup, in particular, creates a striking sense of scale. The dinosaurs are depicted life-size, allowing visitors to better appreciate their dimensions and power. The audience can thus feel as though they are in the midst of a prehistoric environment rather than standing in front of a traditional exhibition.

Hunting scenes, family behaviour and sequences focusing on fossils also form part of this discovery. The experience therefore combines a visual spectacle with elements that help visitors better understand these extinct animals.

An experience designed for young and old alike

‘Dinosaurs: The Immersive Experience’ is a particularly family-friendly day-out. Children can let their imaginations run wild in the presence of these gigantic creatures, whilst adults can enjoy the artistic quality of the projections and the unique atmosphere created at the Bassins des Lumières.

The programme may also appeal to dinosaur enthusiasts, fans of digital experiences or simply visitors looking for an original activity in Bordeaux. Its format offers a cultural outing without the traditional set-up of an exhibition consisting solely of display cases or explanatory panels.

It is also an opportunity to share a moment together: everyone can view the images, discover the different species and enjoy the soundscape whilst moving freely around the projection spaces.

A soundtrack designed to accompany the journey

The immersive experience also relies on the audio element. The original music is by Hans Zimmer, Anže Rozman and Kara Talve, three composers involved in creating the musical world of the experience. The French narration is provided by Gérard Lanvin.

Sound is therefore not merely a secondary accompaniment. It contributes to the overall atmosphere and enhances the spectacular nature of the images. The combination of monumental projections, music and narration gives the visit the feel of a major audiovisual production, whilst retaining the freedom inherent in an immersive experience.

Les Bassins des Lumières: an extraordinary setting

The exhibition takes place in a venue that plays a major part in its exceptional character: the Bassins des Lumières, housed in the former Bordeaux Submarine Base.

The building’s monumental architecture provides an environment particularly well-suited to immersive creations. The scale of the spaces allows the projections to take on considerable grandeur and gives the audience the opportunity to view the images from different angles.

For visitors who are not yet familiar with this venue, experiencing Dinosaurs: The Immersive Experience is therefore also an original way to explore one of Bordeaux’s iconic sites. The address is Impasse Brown de Colstoun, 33300 Bordeaux.

When can you experience Dinosaurs: The Immersive Experience?

The programme begins on 3 October 2026. As opening times may vary depending on the programme and the time of your visit, it is important to select the time slot that suits your visit when booking.

The practical information currently available states that last admission is one hour before the centre closes and that the ticket office also closes one hour before closing time. The estimated duration of a visit is approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.

This timeframe makes it easy to fit the activity into a day spent exploring Bordeaux. However, it is advisable to arrive early enough to enjoy the visit in the best possible conditions.

Why book your tickets in advance?

Advance booking is strongly recommended. Above all, it allows you to organise your visit more effectively and choose a time slot that suits your schedule.

This is particularly useful for families, groups or anyone wishing to include the experience as part of a day out in Bordeaux. By buying tickets in advance, it becomes easier to plan your journey and avoid having to organise your visit at the last minute.

Booking in advance also allows you to check the pricing conditions applicable to each category of visitor. For a family or group outing, this can make it easier to organise your overall budget.

Prices tailored to different audiences

Several ticket price categories are currently available for the Bassins des Lumières. The full price is €16, whilst the senior rate for those aged 65 and over is €15. The reduced rate is set at €12.50 and the youth rate, for visitors aged 6 to 25 inclusive, at €9.

Holders of the Bordeaux Métropole Youth Card are entitled to a rate of €7, subject to presentation of the relevant card. For families comprising two adults and two young people aged 6 to 25 inclusive, the family rate is currently €43.

Groups of at least 20 people benefit from a rate starting at €12.50, whilst the school group rate is €7. Certain free admissions are also available, subject to conditions and on presentation of valid proof.

As prices are subject to change depending on the programme, it is recommended that you check the price for your chosen category at the time of booking.

A convenient day out to organise

Les Bassins des Lumières is located in Bordeaux, Impasse Brown de Colstoun, 33300 Bordeaux. The site is accessible by car and public transport. Free municipal car parking is available in front of the Base sous-marine, whilst secure car parking is also provided.

For visitors using public transport, bus no. 9 stops at the ‘Base sous-marine’ stop. A tourist shuttle bus also serves this area. These options make it easier to include the exhibition in a tour of Bordeaux.

Prams are permitted in the exhibition. However, bicycles, scooters and skateboards are not allowed in the relevant areas and cannot be left in the cloakroom.

Visitors should also bear in mind the specific conditions of the venue. In winter, the Bassins can be chilly: it is therefore advisable to wear suitable clothing.

An experience to include in your itinerary in Bordeaux

Whether you’re on holiday, enjoying a weekend break or simply looking for an original activity, ‘Dinosaurs: The Immersive Experience’ offers a different way to discover prehistory. The combination of architectural heritage, digital technology, music and creatures that have been extinct for millions of years creates an outing that stands out from a traditional exhibition.

The immersive format also allows visitors to take their time observing the projections from different vantage points. This means they can enjoy the experience at their own pace and savour the soundscape and visuals around them.

For families, it’s an opportunity to treat children to an activity that’s both spectacular and educational. For adults, it’s a chance to rediscover dinosaurs through an ambitious audiovisual production. And for visitors to Bordeaux, it’s a new reason to discover or rediscover the Bassins des Lumières.

Book your prehistoric experience

From 3 October 2026, ‘Dinosaurs: The Immersive Experience’ invites you to cross the boundaries of time and plunge into a world that has been lost for tens of millions of years. T. rex, Velociraptors, sea creatures, flying reptiles and giant dinosaurs make up a spectacular world brought to life by monumental projections, an original musical score and narration in French.

With a visit lasting approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, ticket prices tailored to different audiences and an easily accessible location in Bordeaux, the experience fits perfectly into a family, tourist or cultural itinerary.

To enjoy this adventure at your leisure and choose the time slot that best suits your plans, booking your tickets in advance is the best way to prepare for your visit. A spectacular journey into the world of dinosaurs awaits you at the Bassins des Lumières.

Common questions

What is the concept behind this exhibition?

It is an immersive audiovisual creation that utilizes the vast spaces of Bassins des Lumières to transport the audience into the prehistoric world through monumental projections.

How much time should I plan for the visit?

We recommend allowing about one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes to fully enjoy the experience offered at Bassins des Lumières.

Which dinosaurs will visitors discover?

The journey showcases the T. rex, Velociraptors, and Dreadnoughtus, among others. The experience also features giant pterosaurs and mosasaurs, allowing you to explore diverse prehistoric environments.

Are the dinosaurs depicted at life-size?

Yes. The staging takes advantage of the site's exceptional dimensions to give the prehistoric creatures a spectacular scale and intensify the visitors' sense of immersion.

Is the experience suitable for families?

Yes, the program is a particularly well-suited outing for families. The projections, large-scale sets, and the discovery of prehistoric animals allow for a shared cultural and fun experience across generations.

Who created Dinosaures, l’Expérience Immersive?

The project brings together several artistic and creative contributors, notably Lightroom for artistic direction, 59 Productions for production, and Culturespaces Studio® for the overall project.

Can we come by car?

Yes. A free municipal parking lot is located in front of the Base sous-marine. Visitors also have access to a secure parking lot; it is recommended to plan your parking in advance, especially during periods of high attendance.

Is the exhibition accessible to people with reduced mobility?

Yes. Les Bassins des Lumières are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Visitors can inquire about access conditions adapted to their needs before their visit.

Are strollers allowed?

Yes, strollers can be used on-site. For very young children, however, a baby carrier may be more practical given the layout of the spaces.

Why book tickets in advance?

Booking allows you to better organize your visit and secure your access to the exhibition. As hours may vary depending on the programming, it is best to check the chosen time slot at the time of purchase.