Your stay — Le Printemps
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The Property — Le Printemps
Le Printemps is a straightforward, functional three-star hotel on the main road into Bordeaux, a short tram ride from the city centre. The lobby is small and clean, with a 24-hour front desk and a bar that does a brisk pre-dinner trade with business travellers and airport layover guests. It suits anyone who wants a no-fuss base near the airport (Merignac is Bordeaux's airport suburb) for an early flight or a budget-friendly night before exploring the city.
Chronicles of Merignac
Merignac started as a modest farming village on the outskirts of Bordeaux, best known for its pine forests and the Château de Bourran, a 19th-century folly. Its real transformation came in the 20th century when the city of Bordeaux built its international airport here, drawing in hotels, light industry and housing estates. Today it's a functional commuter suburb with a few local parks and a golf course, but most visitors use it purely as a gateway to the grand, Unesco-listed city of Bordeaux eight minutes away by tram. The contrast between the historic, stone-clad centre of Bordeaux and the utilitarian, car-oriented feel of Merignac is stark, but gives easy access to both.
Best Time to Visit
Full Merignac guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm days (20-28°C), low rain, manageable crowds and the vine-blossom season in the nearby Médoc. The city is lively but not gridlocked.
Peak / festival surge
July, August and early September (wine harvest events). Bordeaux's summer festival (late June/early July) and the Fête le Vin in late June draw huge crowds. Hotel prices in Merignac can double or triple; book six months ahead or expect £150+ per night for a basic double room.
Budget shoulder season
Late September to October, and April: pleasant weather, lower prices (30-50% off peak), mellow crowds, and the autumn wine harvest atmosphere without the summer bedlam.
Weather & packing
Bordeaux has a fickle maritime climate — a sunny morning can turn into a sudden thunderstorm by 3pm. Pack a light waterproof jacket or a packable umbrella, even if the forecast looks clear.
Live City Briefing — Merignac
- Tram line A extension: work on the line serving the airport is ongoing; check for frequency changes (every 15 minutes off-peak) and possible temporary closures at the Merignac Mérignac Centre stop.
- Bordeaux's summer festival (13-14 July 2026) will have free concerts and fireworks at the Pont de Pierre — expect road closures and packed trams into the city from Merignac.
- The new Cité du Vin museum extension near the quays has just opened a rooftop terrace with vineyard views; it's a €15 entry and worth the tram ride from Merignac.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Le Printemps, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor facing away from the Route de Bayonne (the rear side). The second floor is high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within easy reach of the lift. Rooms at the back overlook the unsecured car park and a quieter residential area, giving you a better chance of a restful night.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor (floor 1 in French numbering) especially those facing the street. First-floor rooms are closer to the car park activity and the entrance, so you'll hear doors slamming and people coming and go. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor – the lift motor and door sounds carry.
Best views
There's no notable view from this property – the address is a commercial strip (Route de Bayonne) with traffic and low-rise buildings. The best 'view' is the rear side overlooking the car park and the quiet residential backstreet. No room offers a landmark vista.
Quietest floors
Second floor (floor 2) is the quietest – far enough from the ground-floor activity and the roof-level mechanical noise. The third floor can be slightly warmer, but it's still quiet if not facing the street.
🔊 Noise notes
Route de Bayonne (D213) is a major road with heavy traffic flow from late afternoon into evening, plus early morning lorry movement. The car park, though small, has no barrier so you'll hear people arriving and departing at all hours. There's no bar or restaurant on-site, so no late-night guest noise from within the hotel.
Insider tips
Book a room at the back (request 'côté parking' or 'arrière' when reserving) to dodge most of the road noise. The car park is a bit scrappy but quiet at night. The free on-site parking fills quickly – arrive before 5pm to secure a spot. If it's full, the Merignac Centre car park is 5 minutes on foot and costs €8/night, which is cheaper than a taxi from the airport.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Le Printemps
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speeds around 15 Mbps down; no login constraints
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand; physical newspapers (Le Monde, Sud Ouest) available at reception on request
Check-in from 15:00, check-out by 11:00. Early bag drop available from 08:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs €25 (subject to availability).
Free at reception for same-day after check-out or before check-in
Step-free entrance from car park; lift to all floors; no wheelchair-accessible rooms – contact ahead if needed
On-site free unsecured outdoor parking for 20 cars; nearest public car park at Merignac Centre (€8/night, 5-min walk). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Advance payment of first night required at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Saint-Vincent (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: Vieille Église Saint-Vincent (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Church: Chapelle Jasmin (1.7 km · ~22 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parc des Lavandières — 83 m · ~1 min walk
Vieille Église Saint-Vincent — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Le Pin Galant — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
La Banque Postale — 85 m · ~1 min walk
Pharmacie de Capeyron — 196 m · ~2 min walk
Au Jardin Catalan — 89 m · ~1 min walk
Caudéran-Mérignac — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs from major banks like BNP Paribas or Société Générale; avoid airport exchange desks and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards (Visa/MC) and contactless are widely accepted in shops and restaurants; smaller places may require €10 minimum chip-and-PIN.
Service is included in bills; rounding up or leaving small change (€1-2) is appreciated but not expected.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso standing at a bar counter, typically €1.20–€1.50.
Formule du jour (starter+main or main+dessert) at a brasserie or boulangerie sandwich and drink, €11–€14.
Pizza, pasta or steak-frites main in a casual restaurant, about €14–€18.
Kebab or sandwich shops (like in the city centre tram-accessible area); no dedicated street food market in Mérignac itself.
Carrefour, Intermarché, Lidl and Aldi are common budget supermarket chains in Mérignac.
Carrefour hypermarket and other chain stores at Mérignac Soleil shopping centre; affordable basics.
TBM day pass €5.00 (3 zones) covers tram/bus to city centre; budget from Bordeaux airport: Line 1 tram (€1.80 single) or 30-min walk to Mérignac centre.
Buy a carnet of 10 tram tickets (€16.70) rather than singles; eat lunch at the formules du jour before 2 PM; drink water from the tap or buy at supermarkets.
Good to know — Merignac
Type C/E · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
MerignacFor European emergencies, dial 112. For non-urgent medical help, call 15 or go to the Centre Hospitalier de Bordeaux (place Amélie Raba-Léon, Bordeaux). The Mérignac police station is at 1 Rue de la Marne, phone +33 5 56 34 60 00.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Merignac, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Le Printemps
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · La Banque Postale — 85 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie de Capeyron — 196 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (stop: Aéroport) → Hôtel Balladins (stop: Mérignac Centre)
💡 Buy a ticket from the machine at the stop or use the TBM app. The bus runs direct along Avenue de la Marne; get off at Mérignac Centre, then it's a 5-minute walk.
Bordeaux-Saint-Jean train station (via city centre) → Hôtel Balladins (stop: Mérignac Centre)
💡 You can't take the tram directly from the airport—take bus 1 to the city centre, then transfer at Porte de Bourgogne. The Mérignac Centre stop is a 5-minute walk south from the hotel.
Bordeaux-Saint-Jean station → Mérignac-Arlac station
💡 This is the fastest rail option but Mérignac-Arlac station is 2 km from the hotel; you'll need a bus or taxi from there. Only worth it if you're already at Saint-Jean—otherwise stick to bus or tram.
Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) → Hôtel Balladins, Mérignac
💡 Pre-book a fixed-price taxi online to avoid surge tariffs. The rank is outside arrivals; always agree a fare or use a meter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Le Printemps?
Request a room on the second floor facing away from the Route de Bayonne (the rear side). The second floor is high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within easy reach of the lift. Rooms at the back overlook the unsecured car park and a quieter residential area, giving you a better chance of a restful night.
Which rooms should I avoid at Le Printemps?
Avoid rooms on the first floor (floor 1 in French numbering) especially those facing the street. First-floor rooms are closer to the car park activity and the entrance, so you'll hear doors slamming and people coming and go. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor – the lift motor and door sounds carry.
Is Le Printemps noisy?
Route de Bayonne (D213) is a major road with heavy traffic flow from late afternoon into evening, plus early morning lorry movement. The car park, though small, has no barrier so you'll hear people arriving and departing at all hours. There's no bar or restaurant on-site, so no late-night guest noise from within the hotel.
Which rooms have the best views at Le Printemps?
There's no notable view from this property – the address is a commercial strip (Route de Bayonne) with traffic and low-rise buildings. The best 'view' is the rear side overlooking the car park and the quiet residential backstreet. No room offers a landmark vista.
What are insider tips for staying at Le Printemps?
Book a room at the back (request 'côté parking' or 'arrière' when reserving) to dodge most of the road noise. The car park is a bit scrappy but quiet at night. The free on-site parking fills quickly – arrive before 5pm to secure a spot. If it's full, the Merignac Centre car park is 5 minutes on foot and costs €8/night, which is cheaper than a taxi from the airport.
What time is check-in at Le Printemps?
Check-in at Le Printemps is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Le Printemps have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speeds around 15 Mbps down; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Le Printemps?
€2.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Le Printemps?
Formule du jour (starter+main or main+dessert) at a brasserie or boulangerie sandwich and drink, €11–€14.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Le Printemps?
TBM day pass €5.00 (3 zones) covers tram/bus to city centre; budget from Bordeaux airport: Line 1 tram (€1.80 single) or 30-min walk to Mérignac centre.
When is the best time to visit Merignac?
May, June and September: warm days (20-28°C), low rain, manageable crowds and the vine-blossom season in the nearby Médoc. The city is lively but not gridlocked.
Top Attractions in Merignac
💡 Go on Saturday mornings when the fishmonger brings in oysters from Arcachon Bay. Get there before 10am for the best selection.
💡 Visitors often miss the restored 14th-century fresco behind the altar. Ask the caretaker to switch on the small spotlights if the church is open but dim.
💡 The best view of the ceramic murals is from the sports field side, which is accessible via the footpath off Rue Georges Mandel.
💡 Bring bread for the ducks and swans on the lake. The best light for photography is early morning or late afternoon in spring.
💡 Visit just before closing time (17:30) when the keepers do the round with extra feed – the deer and goats will be most active.