Hotel de Normandie ★★★★

The Age of Enlightenment: a period of great change and scientific awakening, when reason and logic banished superstitious thought and the encyclopaedia was born. Bordeaux was at the very centre of this intellectual movement. Neoclassical buildings blossomed throughout what is now the historical centre of town, designated a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site in 2007. The Port of the Moon, named for its shapely natural curves, became a major European port, bringing wealth and prominence to the flourishing city.

The Hôtel de Normandie is a beautiful example of eighteenth-century Neoclassicism. One hundred elegantly furnished rooms give guests the choice of views over the bustling city square, or calmer views of the city’s side streets and the Garonne River. Some rooms have balconies where you can sip a glass of local wine or have a typically French breakfast of coffee, croissants and orange juice as you watch the world go by below. The rooms are thoroughly sound-proofed and fully-equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and more. You’ll want for nothing in this 4-star establishment, and the friendly staff at the front desk go out of their way to make your stay a success.

The hotel places you at the very heart of the city’s historical centre, with Bordeaux’s most beautiful buildings and sites all within walking distance from the Girondin Column to the Grand Théâtre. Luxury shops, bars, cafés and restaurants can all be found in the nearby and, if you wish to travel any further, the efficient new tramway stops right outside the hotel’s front door.

A trip to Bordeaux without tasting the local libation is practically unthinkable and pretty much impossible! The well-irrigated limestone soil in the region is an excellent environment for its 120,000 hectares of vineyards, making it the largest wine-growing region in France. A complimentary bottle awaits guests when they arrive in the lobby of the hotel. Right across the road is the Ecole du Vin (School of Wine) – an international institution dedicated to passing on viticultural knowledge to wine-enthusiasts, restaurateurs, sommeliers and professional distributers throughout the world. It is an excellent place to start your exploration of renowned Bordeaux wines with a tasting session or a day trip around local vineyards.