Hôtel de Normandie

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Hôtel de Normandie? The location is honestly perfect if you want to feel like you’re actually living in Bordeaux rather than just passing through. It sits right on Cours du 30 Juillet – which, by the way, is this lovely tree-lined avenue that locals actually use, not some touristy strip. I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from Place Gambetta with its gorgeous 18th-century architecture, and the Grand Théâtre is just around the corner. The kind of spot where you’ll find yourself popping out for morning coffee at the little café next door and actually bumping into the same neighbors.

The hotel itself feels properly French without being stuffy about it. It’s got that classic Bordeaux limestone facade that looks especially beautiful in the late afternoon light, but inside they’ve done this nice job of keeping period details while making everything actually comfortable. The rooms aren’t huge – this is Europe, after all – but they’re thoughtfully laid out with decent storage and surprisingly good soundproofing. I was worried about street noise since it’s right in the city center, but honestly, even with windows open you mainly hear the pleasant hum of people walking to dinner rather than traffic chaos. The staff genuinely knows the neighborhood too, which makes such a difference. When I asked about wine bars, the front desk guy didn’t just hand me a generic list – he actually told me which ones would be too crowded on a Friday night and suggested this tiny place on Rue du Pas-Saint-Georges that turned out to be incredible.

What really won me over though was how the hotel sits in the rhythm of the city. You’re close enough to the tram lines (Gambetta stop is right there) that getting to the riverfront or out to the wine regions is dead simple, but you’re also in this pocket of Bordeaux where people actually live and work. There’s a morning market just a few streets over on Place des Grands Hommes, and in the evenings you’ll see locals heading to aperitifs at the wine bars along Cours de l’Intendance. The 8.5 rating makes total sense to me – it’s not trying to be the fanciest place in town, but everything works well and the location is pretty much unbeatable. If you’re the type who wants to duck back to your room between wandering sessions or prefers to stay somewhere that feels connected to actual Bordeaux life rather than tourist central, this is your spot. Just book ahead if you’re coming during harvest season – apparently half the wine world knows about this place.

Rooms

• Grand-Confort Vue Ville with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Grand-Confort Vue Cour Interieure with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Superior Double Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Superior Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Chambre Simple Supérieure Vue Cour Intérieure with 1 single bed for 1 adult

Reviews

• Georgios from Greece (9/10)

  We had two wonderful nights in the city of Bordeaux. The point where the hotel is located is the most ideal.
  The staff were always willing to help and always smiling. This really made us feel very nice. Beautiful renovated bathrooms with wood floors. Very comfortable beds. Our room was a superior double room with a wonderful view of the city. Very good breakfast for all tastes. We highly recommend it.
  Special thanks to Natalie

• Jeremic from France (8/10)

  Great location, near the Opera.

• Kasikci from France (7/10)

  Thank you very much to all staff of the hotel, I spent marvelous time 🙏 and also I’d like to thank to change my room with a bathtub room 😉

• Hugh from Switzerland (8/10)

  Excellent location, very comfortable and very friendly staff

• Colette from Ireland (8/10)

  Great stay. Excellent location. Trams and buses (including the one to San Emillion) right outside the door. Tourist office across the road where we bought the City Pass- well worth iit. Plenty of places to eat and drink nearby. Staff friendly and helpful. We had a lovely room with balcony on 6th floor. Lift only went to 5th floor- not an issue for us. Breakfast is fine- not brilliant but more than adequate. Cold meats, cheese, smoked salmon, bread, pastries, cereal, fruit, yogurt, tea, coffee. Hot food was scrambled eggs and sausages. We would definitely recommend hotel and would be happy to stay again.

• Gerard from Ireland (8/10)

  Great location

• Graham from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Great reception staff

• John from France (9/10)

  Perfect location for exploring the city, loved the trams, staff excellent, everything great!

• Finbar from Ireland (8/10)

  Let me check in a few hours early. Nice to have the Int’l NYT and Sud-Ouest newspapers FOC for guests. Trams right outside.

• Harold from United Kingdom (7/10)

  Had a bath. Staff were pleasant

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities