La Zoologie
Intellectual curiosity meets natural sciences. Think a renovated university building where the academic past is the decor — herbarium prints, taxidermy references, lab glass details in bathrooms — without tipping into kitsch. The interior garden anchors everything, and the HotelsT family group's philosophy of art objects from around the world gives the public spaces a collector's warmth.
Request your preferred wing when booking — Zoology has the most historic character with high French windows onto Cours de la Marne; Geology has the private balconies overlooking the interior garden; Botanic has the lushest botanical feel
Why It Matters
One of very few hotels in France that occupies a genuine former scientific institute and uses the institution's own history as the design blueprint. Each wing tells a different chapter of natural sciences. The only hotel in France with authentic oolitic limestone student benches preserved as room desks. Part of the HotelsT family group, which also operates boutique hotels in Paris and Siena.
A converted early 20th-century zoology institute that pulls off the rare trick of being genuinely original without feeling gimmicky. Built between 1900 and 1903 by architect Ernest Lacombe, the building retains its original stone, brick, iron framework, and large glass roofs. The 40 rooms are split across three wings — Zoology, Geology, and Botanic — each with a distinct design language: animal-kingdom prints and oolitic limestone lab benches in the Zoology wing, Le Corbusier palettes and African wax curtains in Geology, and tropical bamboo floors with Orinoco River panoramics in Botanic. It is a 4-star hotel with a full-service spa, a bistronomic restaurant, a wine bar, a rooftop, and a musical cocktail bar.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Classic Room – La Sereine
Entry-level rooms split between two wings with meaningfully different feels. Zoology wing rooms have tall French windows with indoor wooden shutters facing Place André Meunier and Cours de la Marne, original Bordeaux stone and clay walls, animal-kingdom curtains, and bathrooms designed to evoke a biology lab in metal and glass. On the second floor, original oolitic limestone student benches are preserved as desks — genuinely one-of-a-kind. Botanic wing versions are slightly smaller (around 21 sqm), overlook the interior garden, have bamboo floors and Ananbo botanical panoramics made in Bordeaux, and are fitted with accessible bathrooms.
Queen Size (160x200) or King Size (180x200) · 24 sqm
Comfort Room – L'éblouissante
Three distinct versions depending on wing. Zoology wing: historic building character with high French windows, stone and clay walls, animal-kingdom curtains, and the signature addition of a freestanding bathtub alongside the Italian shower — the most atmospheric option. Geology wing: a complete change of scene with Le Corbusier-palette walls, raw concrete ceilings, clay floors, African wax fabric curtains, and a 7 sqm private west-facing balcony overlooking the interior garden. Botanic wing: the largest of the three at 28 sqm with wonderfully high ceilings, bamboo floors, and an Ananbo mural of the Orinoco River bank.
Queen Size (160x200) or King Size (180x200), convertible to twin on request · 25 sqm
Deluxe Room – La source de réflexion
The largest standard rooms in the hotel. All come with a Nespresso machine and kettle — not found in Classic rooms. Choose between the sober, elegant Zoology wing version with the historic stone character, or the Geology wing rooms with Le Corbusier color palette and private balcony overlooking the interior garden. Two of the Deluxe rooms have a separated bathroom. Spacious enough for a comfortable long stay.
Queen Size (160x200) or King Size (180x200) · 32 sqm
Duplex Terrace Suite – L'exclusive
The top-floor suite in the Botanic wing — the hotel's flagship room. A genuine two-level duplex with double exposure onto the former Santé Navale building and the interior garden. The private terrace is over 20 sqm and is the hotel's best outdoor space for private use. Two separate bathrooms (one per level) mean a couple or family with children can coexist without stepping on each other. The living room sofa bed sleeps one adult, one adult and one child, or two children. Spa access is complimentary for all stays in this suite. Nespresso machine included.
Queen Size (160x200) + sofa bed · 45 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The front desk team can organize dinner reservations, taxi and private driver bookings, themed stay experiences, and airport pickup. The hotel is a 10-minute walk to Bordeaux's UNESCO-listed historic center, and staff can map out walking routes to key landmarks including the Tour Pey-Berland, Cathédrale Saint-André, Place de la Bourse, and the famous miroir d'eau.
On-site gym/fitness area available to guests.
The hotel's central garden is planted with exotic species reflecting Bordeaux's naval history as a port city — plants from distant lands that arrived via the former commercial port. A terrace with a footbridge leads into the garden. The Botanic wing has a green wall, and the garden layout echoes the amphitheater structure of the original institute.
Panoramic views over Bordeaux from the hotel rooftop, with a seasonal menu of sharing plates, cocktails, craft beers, and non-alcoholic drinks. Reopening summer 2026.
A gourmet convivial brunch held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, with two seatings at 11:30am and 1:30pm. Seasonal composed salads, seafood, homemade pastries, cheeses, charcuterie, viennoiseries, sweet and savory bites.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Fully equipped meeting rooms with screen, projector, flipchart. Privatizable spaces for events.
Free WiFi throughout the hotel, including all guest rooms.
Full concierge service including dinner reservations, taxi/driver bookings, airport pickup on request.
Tropical garden with terrace and footbridge, planted with exotic species.
Pets are allowed; charges may apply.
Individual safe (40x30 cm) in all rooms.
On-site fitness area. Extra charge applies.
300 sqm spa with jacuzzi, hammam, sauna, and relaxation areas. €25/person for the full stay (free for Duplex Suite guests). External visitors also welcome.
BUILD YOUR LA ZOOLOGIE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning