Starting on February 7, 2026, the Bordeaux submarine base will come alive with twoalternating immersive exhibitions. Henri Matisse, a major figure of the 20th century, and Frida Kahlo, an icon of Mexican art, will thrill visitors with a visual display where colors, shapes, and emotions respond to each other. A journey through time and artistic sensibilities that is not to be missed.
Henri Matisse – a symphony of colors in large format
Immersive experience “Matisse, a symphony of colors” © Culturespaces / Geoffroy Groult
The 45-minute program offers a deep dive into the bold world of Matisse, a key figure of the 20th century. A painter, engraver, and sculptor, he made color his language and pushed the artistic conventions of his time. The projections on the walls of the submarine basemake every nuance and every shape vibrate, transforming the space into a veritable visual orchestra. You will be literally enveloped by his vibrant colors and bold shapes, as if you were walking through his paintings. An experience where light and color become instruments of emotion and freedom, capable of filling you with wonder and making your heart beat to the rhythm of art.
Frida Kahlo – an intimate and colorful universe
©Geoffroy Groult frida – Bassins des Lumières Bordeaux
Alternating between screenings, the 15-minute program invites you to enter the intimate and flamboyant world of Frida Kahlo. Her work, inspired by her personal experiences and Mexican culture, combines symbols, organic motifs, and intense colors. Each projection tells the story of her journey, her resilience in the face of pain, and her ability to transform her experiences into art. Let yourself be transported to a world where emotions and colors explode at every moment, where fragility and strength combine to captivate and move you. It is an invitation to feel, to vibrate, and to be surprised by the power of art that makes the intimate universal.
Art in a former submarine base
© Le Guide Bordeaux Gironde | Culturespaces / Geoffroy Groult
The Bassins des Lumières has not always been a place of wonder. It is located in a former submarine base built in 1940 in Bordeaux, which was then occupied by German forces. Located in the port district of Bacalan, the imposing bunker housed a fleet of submarines from September 1940 onwards. Remaining virtually intact after the war, the site was successively used by the French Navy, the autonomous port, and then by industrial companies. It was at the end of the 20th century that it began its cultural conversion. In 2020, the city finally entrusted several cells to Culturespaces, which transformed these vast basins into an immersive digital art center, now recognized as one of the largest in the world.
Practical information:
📍 Bassin des Lumières, Imp. Brown de Colstoun, 33300 Bordeaux
📆From February 7, 2026
💸€16 (full price) | €12.50 (reduced price) – Tickets give access to both exhibitions
⌛Duration: 1 hour (see website for detailed opening hours)
