Au Coeur de Bordeaux B&B

Hotel Description

So I stumbled across Au Coeur de Bordeaux B&B almost by accident when I was hunting for something authentic in the city center, and honestly? It turned out to be one of those happy travel mistakes that wasn’t actually a mistake at all. The place sits right on Rue Boulan, which – if you know Bordeaux at all – puts you smack in the middle of everything without the tourist circus that comes with being too close to Place de la Bourse. You can actually walk to the cathedral in about five minutes, but more importantly, you’re surrounded by those little wine bars and bistros that locals actually frequent.

The B&B itself has this lived-in elegance that I really wasn’t expecting from the photos online. I mean, it’s definitely 4-star quality, but not in that sterile hotel chain way – more like staying at the home of that worldly aunt who collects interesting art and knows where to buy the best cheese. The rooms have these gorgeous high ceilings (you know, proper French apartment ceilings) and the morning light streams in through these tall windows that overlook the street. Fair warning though – Rue Boulan can get a bit lively on weekend evenings, so if you’re a super light sleeper, maybe pack earplugs. But honestly, it’s just the sound of Bordeaux being Bordeaux, not obnoxious party noise.

What really sold me on this place was the breakfast situation and how the owners actually seem to care about what they’re doing. The woman who runs it – I think her name was Marie – she knows the neighborhood like the back of her hand and will steer you away from the tourist traps without you even asking. She recommended this tiny wine shop around the corner on Rue des Remparts that I never would have found otherwise, and the guy there ended up teaching me more about Bordeaux wines in twenty minutes than I’d learned in years. The morning spread isn’t huge, but everything’s quality – proper French pastries from the boulangerie down the street, not some frozen nonsense, and coffee that actually tastes like coffee. Plus, there’s this little courtyard out back where you can sit with your café au lait and pretend you’re more sophisticated than you actually are. The 8.1 rating seems about right to me – it’s not perfect (the WiFi can be spotty, and good luck if you’re traveling with massive suitcases because those stairs are no joke), but it’s got character and heart, which counts for a lot more than marble bathrooms and complimentary shoe polish.

Rooms

• Double Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Suite with 2 × 1 double bed and 1 large double bed for 4 adults
• Deluxe Double Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Family Suite with 2 × 2 single beds and 1 large double bed for 4 adults
• Superior Double Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults

Reviews

• Robert from United States (9/10)

  Perfect location on a very quiet street on the edge of Old Town. Wonderful hosts (Laetitia and Aurora). Good breakfast. Highly recommended.

• Walter from United States (8/10)

  Very good

• Patricia from United States (9/10)

  Truly French B&B w fresh croissants for breakfast plus goat milk yogurt, plates of cheese & homemade almond cake one morning, pancakes the next

• Donna from United Kingdom (7/10)

  Lovely room and great location. Staff were all friendly and welcoming.

• Kate from New Zealand (9/10)

  Great location, easy to walk to historical landmarks, close to bus & tram stops. Standard continental breakfast. Room was roomy and nice decor.

• Ted from United States (8/10)

  Good location and very helpful owner.

• Leonid from United States (8/10)

  The location of the apartments, a lot of choices for breakfast, very nice staff

• Antonina from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Close to centre, very acceptable standard

• Suzanne from United Kingdom (9/10)

  location was great, gorgeous building and rooms

• Julia from Germany (9/10)

  Beautiful House, beautiful room, modern bathroom, amazing staircase, close to cathedral, good connection to aeroport: 300 meters from tram A -Justice Palace station

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities