I often say: hospitality is not a profession, but a vocation. And here, at Le Grand Hôtel in Bordeaux, we have a unique opportunity to pursue it in an exceptional setting, at the heart of a city we love very deeply. The InterContinental Bordeaux –Le Grand Hôtel is not only a residence with 249 years of history. It is a vibrant, living place, run by men and women who give meaning to hospitality each day while remaining loyal to the hotel’s soul. In these pages, you will discover part of what drives us: our star-rated restaurant Le Pressoir d’Argent Gordon Ramsay**, our Guerlain Spa, suspended beyond the reach of time, our clear views of Bordeaux… and above all, the constant attention paid to our guests’ experience. This magazine is also a way of wishing you welcome, differently. Of inviting you to enjoy in a stay, or just a moment, the promise of sincere, warm, exemplary luxury. Welcome home.
A sense of beauty. At the helm of the InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand HĂ´tel since 2017, Thomas Bourdois has a sensitive and demanding vision of hospitality in which each detail becomes a promise of profound emotion.
“Techniques can be learnt, but one’s attitude and heartfelt enthusiasm are irreplaceable.”
Ă€ la tĂŞte des Ressources Humaines de l'hĂ´tel, Sarah Hedgar insuffle une vision humaine du luxe, entre exigence, bien-ĂŞtre au travail et engagement durable.
As the head of Human Resources for the hotel, Sarah Hedgar shares a humane vision of luxury based on high demands, well-being in the workplace, and long-term commitment.
Your career has taken you around the world. What have you learnt from this?
My career in luxury hospitality, in France and internationally, has taught me to combine high operational demands while paying sincere attention to the teams to create conditions for long-term commitment and shared fulfilment.
In what way is Le Grand HĂ´tel a place apart?
It is a Bordelais treasure in terms of the past yet resolutely turned towards the future. It embodies the French art of living. For our staff, it is an exceptional setting: everyone can learn here, advance, evolve, in a stimulating, respectful and demanding environment.
How is your employer brand reflected?
Through a promise: to offer more than a position, a real experience. Which means a caring environment, transparent communication, and on-going evaluation of talents. We rely on inbound recruitment, training and recognition to give the work its meaning. So that everyone can be proud of being part of the hotel.
A sense of belonging is key?
Essential. Immersive integration, recognition rituals, in-house events, proximity management… We want everyone to feel heard, supported and recognized. Our teams are our first ambassadors.
What do you expect from tomorrow’s talents?
A passion for service, a desire to make a difference, a keen sense of detail. Techniques can be learnt, but one’s attitude and heartfelt enthusiasm are irreplaceable. Team spirit and the capacity to adapt are also essential.
And hospitality of the future?
More responsible, more connected, though always profoundly humane. The challenge is to advance in all awareness, incorporating social and environmental challenges at every level. Luxury can no longer be imagined without sustainability, nor well-being in the workplace. ď‚®
Le Pressoir d’Argent proposes gastronomic cuisine both subtle and inspired, signed by multi-star Chef Gordon Ramsay.
On the hotel’s first floor, Le Pressoir d’Argent Gordon Ramsay** is renowned as one of the finest addresses in the region. With two Michelin stars, in sumptuous Empire style, with meticulous service and, as its high point, a ceremonial embodying the art of living: high cuisine, in its noblest form. Its name pays tribute to one of its most remarkable gems: an authentic lobster press in solid silver, bearing the signature of the French silverware firm, Christofle. A rare object – only five exist worldwide –, it is enthroned in the dining-room like a precious artefact, used each evening before the guests, to extract the delicate juice of blue lobsters. A ritual now become a signature theme. Orchestrating this gastronomic scene, Gordon Ramsay conjures up the energy and rigour that have built his international reputation. Winning his first star in London, then in Paris, New York and Tokyo, this Scottish chef installed his refined, demanding world in the InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hôtel in 2015. Le Pressoir d’Argent won its first star the year it opened, the second, still retained, in 2017. Now entrusted to the talented Chef Alexandre Koa, its cuisine combines technical excellence, bold inspiration, and deep respect for ingredients. By his side, Pastry Chef Gaëtan Fiard and Head Sommelier Kevin Quinsenac, in charge of a cellar boasting over 1,000 references. The experience is total, the decor sumptuous: mauve and bright orange velvet, marquetry, a plush atmosphere, nothing is left to chance. Each service offers an all-round experience pairing precise tastes and accomplished gestures to ensure an aesthetic, emotional voyage for the senses. Much more than a place for dining, Le Pressoir d’Argent is an ode to the simply sublime. 
A taste for travel. At the helm of Le Pressoir d’Argent Gordon Ramsay**, Alexandre Koa imparts a sense of travel into his gastronomy, awarded 2 stars. Cuisine of character, generous, between French know-how and inspirations from his homeland, Cameroon.
Just 30 years old, he blends instinctive pertinence with well-mastered precision. Alexandre Koa has become one of the promising names in young French cuisine, offering sensitivity and boldness. Born in Amiens with a Cameroonian father, he discovered the art of hospitality very early on, handed on by his family of doctors. At the age of ten, he chose the culinary
world with one idea: to stand out for his creativity and rigour. Trained at the hotel school in Amiens, he became an apprentice with Loiseau des Ducs in Burgundy, then in Saint-Émilion: “There I learnt the importance of solidarity in cuisine. This sense of cohesion made me want to always go one step better”. In 2018, he joined Le Pressoir d’Argent as “chef de partie” specializing in fish. Four years later, aged just 28, he was appointed Executive Chef. “The pressure was intense, but I followed my convictions,” he remembers, benefiting from a close working relationship with Gordon Ramsay. “We discussed things regularly; he believed in my vision.” Alexandre Koa underlines his signature. Distinguished by the Philippe Etchebest Trophy in 2021 and the “Grand Prix Toque d’Or” in 2022, he gave the menu a new dimension: products and recipes from the South-West highlighted by French techniques and enhanced by the powerful, surprising spirit of Cameroon spices. “I often work on infusions, sauces, condiments. Penja pepper, Mbongô…, all these aromas tell my tale.” His cuisine reflects his image: generous, inventive, a mix of cultures. And in the wings, his obsession: the well-being of the 10 members of his kitchen brigade: “You never succeed alone”. Sensorial memories, creativity and star-rated rigour…, Alexandre Koa wants to mark his era differently. With sincerity, intensity and, above all, a passion for his work. 
Saint-Jean-de-Luz ikejime seabass is briefly grilled to preserve its crispness, then cooked unilaterally. It rests on cuttlefish tagliatelli topped with Basque pil-pil with garlic and olive-oil. All spiked by a black Mbongô sauce, an infusion of fish bones and roasted spices, recalling the Chef’s childhood barbecues in “haute couture” version.
Seeing: when colour speaks Our first contact when tasting a wine is naturally its appearance. In a suitable glass – the Sommelier suggests one by the Austrian Zalto brand, like those used at Le Pressoir d’Argent, to reveal its subtleties. Then we observe. “The wine’s colour gives precious indications about the wine’s age, condition, sometimes even its structure ,” he explains Depending on their evolution, reds tend towards purple, ruby red, mahogany. Whites reveal grey, green
or straw yellow reflections. Even the “disc”, or surface of the wine in contact with the air in the glass, or the “tears”, those little drops that form on the side, have something to tell. “You can already guess the substance, texture, its quality.”
The first whiff allows one to perceive the wine’s intensity and aromatic palette. After gently swirling the wine, the second whiff unveils new strata. Fruit, flowers, spices, woody or smoky notes... “ This is the most instinctive stage. You close your eyes, smell, and something happens.” The wine expresses itself, and the “odorat” becomes a language.
3. Goûter : la bouche comme terrain d’expression
“I prefer to chew the wine, roll it around, savour it as if it were a delicate dish, just as our guests taste it, rather than practice retro olfaction ,” says Kevin Quinsenac. You analyze the initial impact, mid-palate, texture, balance, tannins, freshness, how long it lasts.
“You can then see how to pair a wine with a dish, and know if it is a great vintage.”
Wine should be enjoyed at the right temperature: around 14 °C in the cellar, though it changes in the open air. The Head Sommelier prefers “to cool it slightly in a bucket rather than serve it too cold, and risk inhibiting the wine”. Texture, the sensation in the mouth, also depend on this consideration.
Even sound has its place. “When you decant a wine into a carafe, there is a murmur, a kind of breathing. Serving champagne while hearing the bubbles shiver is always satisfying.” The gestural art joins that of serving. It all must be about precision and gentleness. 
At Le Pressoir d’Argent, Bordeaux naturally takes pride of place, but also the Loire, Rhône, Burgundy, Languedoc, and outstanding foreign wines. On the menus (Heritage and Origins), pairings are planned like voyages. The first primarily celebrates Bordelais terroirs, the second combines the Loire, Burgundy, foreign wine and local favourites.
Born in Bordeaux “amidst the vines”, Kevin Quinsenac pursues a precocious passion for wine, inspired by a visionary teacher who encouraged him to specialize in sommelier studies. Trained at college and in top addresses, from Michel Roux Jr in London to Alain Ducasse and the Pourcel brothers in Paris. He refined his style before returning to his roots in Bordeaux in 2019 as the Head Sommelier of Le Pressoir d'Argent. “What I love is seeing that guests get to travel with a wine, stirring emotions with food and wine pairing .” With over 1,000 references in the cellar containing 12,000 bottles, he orchestrates each service as if on a stage. "As soon as the doors open, the show begins," he smiles. From spectacular decanting to precise service and gestures, he turns wine into a living form of art.
* Actuellement en travaux, retrouvez vos champagnes favoris chez Badie Vins et Spiritueux.
In the historic centre of Bordeaux, Badie and L’Intendant have embodied the expertise of Duclot, Marchand de Grands Vins, for over 30 years at two outstanding addresses. Behind the doors of L’Intendant, a 12-metre spiral staircase reveals over 1,600 Bordeaux references in direct allocations. Whether you are looking for a legendary vintage or a more “insider” label, our multilingual cellar masters will guide you towards your ideal bottle. Each Saturday, fans and neophytes come together for exclusive tastings held by a property ambassador. A short walk away, Badie Vins et Spiritueux and Badie Champagnes* prolong the experience with a discerning selection of French and international wines, champagnes and rare spirits. Each visit is made unforgettable by a personalized welcome and attention paid to details.
* Currently undergoing refurbishment, we invite you to find your favourite champagnes at Badie Vins et Spiritueux.
Run by seven generations since 1844 and currently owned by Guy-Petrus and Vincent Lignac, Château Guadet owes its name to Marguerite Elie Guadet, a distinguished Girondin revolutionary and President of the National Convention in 1792, whose effigy still graces the bottle labels. This five-hectare estate, cultivated according to organic and biodynamic principles, enjoys a privileged location at the gateway to Saint-Émilion, on the finest terroirs of this medieval city. The passion of Guy-Petrus and his son Vincent for their property allows Château Guadet to produce iconic wines, renowned for their elegance, balance, finesse, and complexity. The distribution of these wines is 95% within SaintÉmilion and is almost exclusively carried out directly at the estate. Guy-Petrus and Vincent will be delighted to share their passion with you during private or semiprivate tours.
Guy-Petrus and Vincent LIGNAC owner winemaker are happy to receive you every day of the year for a tour and tasting. By appointement only. Certified Organic and Biodynamic.
From waking up to sunset, from a refined tea-time to star-rated dining, enjoy a day full of flavour at the InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand HĂ´tel.
A moment of pure relaxation at the Guerlain Spa. Let yourself be carried away by the quietness of the relaxation pool, soothe your mind and body by pairing the benefits of the sauna and hammam, and admire an exclusive view of the rooftops of Bordeaux from the open-air jacuzzi. Take advantage of Guerlain expertise by reserving a signature treatment, or treat yourself to one of the products of this iconic brand. A moment of relaxation beyond the reach of time.
Lunch at Le Bordeaux, tribute to the terroir. Choose a great spot on the terrace of the restaurant Le Bordeaux for a sun-blessed lunch celebrating French gastronomy, regional products and local artisans. Fish from the Atlantic coast, honey from L’Essaim de la Reine, Bordeaux butter, and oysters from Cap Ferret are enthroned on the menu. The sincerity of the terroir before your very eyes.
Aperitif at the Orangerie. For an exquisite start to the evening, take a seat beneath the sublime glass roof of the Orangerie. Opt for the obvious choice of a Grand Cru de Bordeaux or let yourself be surprised by a personalized creation by the barman. Velvet armchairs, murmured conversations, background music… Everything invites you to relish the present moment.
Panoramic view and a final glass on the rooftop terrace. To round off this day dedicated to enjoyment and an experience for the senses, take to the heights. On the rooftop terrace of Le Grand HĂ´tel, the city stretches out at your feet, basking in the stillness of the night. Between a golden sky and pale stone, raise your glass one last time. A regional nightcap, vintage Champagne, your enjoyment continues in all serenity, in perfect harmony between the setting, light, and savours. Epicurean to the very end!
After honouring Bordeaux’s great vintages for three years with In the Moon for Wine, it now opts for the effervescence of Champagne wines. An exclusive partnership with the Maison Barons de Rothschild transforms this open-air bar into an exclusive backdrop for wonderful winter evenings. In this velvety cocoon, sheltered from urban bustle, fans of champagne discover a cutting-edge selection proposed by Le Grand Hôtel’s Head Sommelier: six vintages signed Champagne Barons de Rothschild served by the glass, a rich list of Maisons Champenoises in bottles and magnums, together with exceptional vintages from around the prestigious City of Kings. By the glass or in bottles, these sparkling gems are relished with panoramic views of the lights in Bordeaux. In both summer and winter, the rooftop terrace proposes pure luxury: rise up, breathe, savour. 
I discovered the world of well-being when I was 19. During my internship at Le Grand HĂ´tel, something clicked: I had found my way. I have since climbed the ladder to become Spa Manager, inspired by passion which is still intact.
What appealed to you in this profession?
Caring, sharing, the magic of the setting. At an early age, I was fascinated by these addresses where people take care of you with such delicacy. That is the feeling I want to share today.
What are the qualities of a good Spa Manager?
Attention to detail, service, active attentiveness, and rigour. My goal is that, once through the door of the Spa, each guest should live a unique sensorial experience.
How would you describe the Guerlain Spa?
A showcase of serenity and beauty overlooking Bordeaux. The golden mosaic pool, the view of the cathedral, the light… Everything is an invitation to escape. With, of course, the expertise of Guerlain, a pioneering brand in care treatments since 1828.
In what way are Guerlain treatments unique?
Their sensory approach is unprecedented. The Symphonic Travels, for example, harmonize gestures with music for total immersion.
A cradle of serenity signed Jacques Garcia, the Guerlain Spa blends beauty, well-being and elegance at the top of Le Grand HĂ´tel.
A precious haven at the top of the InterContinental BordeauxLe Grand HĂ´tel, the Guerlain Spa embodies plush, intimate luxury aiming to rouse all the senses. By joining up with the prestigious Maison Guerlain founded in 1828, it offers a voyage in which beauty, serenity and the French art of living meet the highest demands. Designed by Jacques Garcia, the decor instantly immerses you in an enveloping, theatrical atmosphere. Just step into the pool area to be transported to a dreamlike world with references to Antiquity. Immaculate drapes, sculpted columns and a lion-head fountain compose decor worthy of a Greek-Roman palace, where you can imagine Cleopatra abandoning herself to the enjoyment of water. Up above, an intimate tea-room extends the scene in
Each Guerlain treatment is a rare interlude offering expertise, voluptuousness and sensory escapism.
a majestic, sensual, and timeless atmosphere. Immerse yourself in Guerlain’s holistic vision in which aesthetic expertise, innovation and emotion are intertwined to create a perfect symphony. Each treatment is a unique multi-sensory experience, designed to harmonize the body, awaken the senses, and reveal immediate and long-lasting results. The spa’s emblematic treatment, “Miroir d’Eau”, created exclusively for Le Grand Hôtel, is dedicated to the Bordelais woman. This moisturizing facial alternates enveloping movements with precise pressure to reactivate micro-circulation, restore radiance and replenish the complexion. All in a tailormade olfactory ambiance, with fragrances chosen from Guerlain’s great classics. Exceptional modelling, rituals using four hands or signature treatments… Enveloped in the soft cocoon of the treatment rooms, the body lets go, the mind is soothed, your beauty is revealed. Here, each moment is designed to offer the ultimate in luxury, when well-being rises to become an art in itself. From the enveloping hammam to the comforting sauna, from the solarium bathed in light to the gym designed to revitalize the body, not forgetting the refined boutique and, on the rooftop terrace, a jacuzzi facing the sky above Bordeaux… Each space enriches your experience of the treatment, ensuring in-depth relaxation, restored energy, and refreshed senses. More than a spa, it is an ode to disconnection in which one re-learns how to listen to the body, soothe the mind, and let oneself be transported by the magic of Guerlain rituals. 
One treatment after another, one instant after another, your loyalty is rewarded with real appreciation by the Guerlain Spa at the InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hôtel. Thanks to the Guerlain & Vous loyalty programme, each product, each treatment, brings you closer to exceptional rewards: signature massages, a night at Le Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux, and thoughtful attentions just for you. For even more pleasure and wellbeing on an everyday basis, join the privileged circle of our members and enjoy an exclusive experience with no limits or compromises. Benefit from unlimited access to our facilities: dive into the tranquillity of our relaxation pool, boost your energy in our gym, and let yourself be carried away by the soothing warmth of our sauna and hammam – while benefitting from numerous advantages reserved for our members, at the spa, in the hotel, and its sales outlets. Here, loyalty contributes to the art of sustainable luxury.
Our modular salons allow us to adapt to meet all demands, from the most private to the most grandiose. Weddings, seminars, fashion shows, product launches... Each occasion finds its unique backcloth. Our restaurants, bars and rooftop terrace also become one-off stages, fulfilling our guests’ desires. It is, however, the story that we tell, in each detail, which brings real enchantment.
Receiving guests means moving them?
The art of receiving guests lies at the core of our philosophy. It is why we imagine tailormade events designed to surprise and leave a long-lasting emotional imprint. Our dedicated teams do everything possible to transform each moment into an unforgettable souvenir.
What place do you award to Bordeaux’s culture in your guest experiences?
We invite our guests to enjoy an immersive experience rooted in local culture. Workshops on mixology, caviar tastings, private wine tours... We work closely with artisans to offer exclusive activities blending tradition and modernity. Art also occupies a central place, as witnessed by the recent collaboration between street artist A-MO of Bordeaux and Pastry Chef Gaëtan Fiard, who worked together on an original creation for Easter.
And the future?
Our goal is to make Le Grand HĂ´tel a door wide open to the Bordelais lifestyle by offering our guests the very best of our destination. We want to ensure that they discover the very essence of our terroir, share our passion for Bordeaux, and reveal what makes this city so vibrant and inspiring. We want to guide them towards meeting talents who make the region so alive. ď‚®
Far from the bustle of everyday life, the Bay of Arcachon unfurls its peacefulness on a getaway in slow mode designed for fans of authenticity and protected landscapes.
Begin this revitalizing break with a bike ride to Le Domaine de Certes et Graveyron. Fashioned over the centuries by human hands, this remarkable site combines marshes, fish farms, wet meadows and wooded paths. Once an estate pursuing both agriculture and salt production, it now offers a natural backcloth of richness which is conducive to contemplation and disconnection. Continue your discovery by stepping aboard a traditional “pinasse” boat – the emblem of Le Bassin. Drift along the water at the rhythm of the waves to admire the Île aux Oiseaux, iconic beach huts on stilts, oyster beds and wild shores, from another perspective, between sea and sky. Finally, to round off your day, settle down in Lanton, facing the bay, and enjoy dining by sunset. The restaurant Le Platane welcomes you in a warm atmosphere, ideal for appreciating the last moments of sunlight with a glass in your hand and your tastebuds at the ready. This slow-mode experience is an invitation to take your time… A way of living we will be delighted to organize for you. 
Laissez-vous porter au fil de l’eau, pour admirer l’Île aux Oiseaux.
Drift along the water to admire the ĂŽle aux Oiseaux.
For more than 250 years, Maison Hennessy has been producing exceptional cognacs in the heart of its native Charente region. Today, from winegrowing to distillation and blending, its guided tours reveal the culture of excellence that makes its cognacs so special. The Immersive Initiation promises to be unforgettable: sail on the Charente River, explore traditional ageing cellars and discover the mesmerizing 'Mobilis' VR experience. You can also take part in a masterclass to personalise your decanter at the Éditions Rares Atelier or immerse yourself in the Art of Cooperage. A celebration of French craftsmanship at its most magnificent.
Next comes the Château De Ferrand, also in Saint-Émilion, owned by a descendant of the Bic family. This very special estate pairs fine wines with art and graphics: proposing exhibitions, “oeno-artistic” workshops, harmonious architecture and breathtaking scenery, the experience here is both aesthetic and gustatory.
This oenological tour is an invitation to discover another facet of the Bordelais vineyards, in which each château blends heritage, innovation and emotion. A trip for the senses that we will be very pleased to organize for you, a taste of bespoke elegance.
Œuvres monumentales en briques LEGO par l’artiste Nathan Sawaya. Monumental works made of LEGO bricks by artist Nathan Sawaya. theartofthebrickexpo.com
International horse show pairing top-notch sport with elegance. jumping-bordeaux.com
AVRIL 2026
Salon Nautique d’Arcachon
Tout l’univers du nautisme dans le cadre exceptionnel du bassin d’Arcachon. The entire nautical world in the marvellous setting of the Bay of Arcachon. arcachon.com
