Le Grand Balcon is the hotel where the history of Toulouse aviation seems to live. In the 1920s and 1930s, the pilots of the Aéropostale, the air mail company that flew from Toulouse to Africa and South America, stayed here before their long flights, and the roll call included Jean Mermoz and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of The Little Prince. Room 32, long associated with Saint-Exupéry, remains a point of pride, and the hotel's decor and public spaces nod to its aviation heritage. Located in the centre of the old town, a short walk from the Place du Capitole, it combines a prestigious past with a modern five-star level of comfort. The hotel has a restaurant and bar that celebrate the building's story, and the atmosphere is warm and a little theatrical, a good match for travellers who like places with a past. Rooms are individually decorated, some with period touches, and the service tends to be personal and attentive. It is a particularly good choice for visitors interested in aerospace, since it is a short taxi ride from the Airbus sites and the Aéroscopia museum.
Location and getting around
The hotel sits in the heart of the centre, so the Capitole, the Jardin Royal and the pedestrian shopping streets are on foot. Metro stations are close, and the railway station is a short ride away. Taxis to the airport or to Blagnac for Aeroscopia are quick and convenient.
Rooms
Expect refined rooms that vary by category, from comfortable standard rooms to suites. Some rooms are more modern in style, while others keep a period feel. Ask about the aviation-themed rooms when you book if the history interests you, but understand that specific rooms cannot always be guaranteed.
Who it suits
Aviation fans, couples looking for a special stay, and travellers who value history and personal service. Families with young children may find the more formal atmosphere less relaxed.
Good to know
This is a premium property, so rates rise during major events and the festive season. Breakfast is normally charged separately unless your rate includes it. Check in advance whether dinner and bar service are available on the nights you stay.
Neighbourhood and dining
The streets around the hotel are lined with restaurants and bars, and the Jardin Royal and Grand Rond, two of the city's calm green spaces, are a short walk away. A bookish traveller can pair a stay with a reread of Saint-Exupéry, whose airfield at Montaudran is now the site of the Halle de la Machine and a small museum of the Aéropostale.
For dinner, the hotel's own restaurant is the obvious choice for guests who enjoy the setting, while the surrounding streets offer more casual options. Book ahead for weekends and festival periods, when the five-star rooms sell out first.
Why stay here
- ✓Aviation heritage and Saint-Exupéry connections
- ✓Restaurant
- ✓Bar
- ✓Air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Wi-Fi
- ✓24-hour reception
- ✓Breakfast available
- ✓Suites available
Good questions
Why is Le Grand Balcon famous?+
It was the hotel of the Aéropostale pilots, including Jean Mermoz and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who stayed here between their flights.
Is the hotel near the main sights?+
Yes, it is in the city centre, a short walk from the Place du Capitole and the main shopping streets.
Is it a good choice for aviation fans?+
Yes, the hotel celebrates its aviation history, and Aeroscopia and the Airbus sites are a short taxi ride away.
