Hôtel Le Grand Balcon
by the TopOfHotel team
Le Grand Balcon is the historic boutique where Saint-Exupery slept between Aeropostale flights, right by the Capitole, scoring 8.6/10.
Le Grand Balcon is the historic boutique where Saint-Exupery slept between Aeropostale flights, right by the Capitole, scoring 8.6/10.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Rooms at Le Grand Balcon have been renovated into a contemporary 4-star boutique that keeps the heritage feel — soft beds, a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a clean marble bathroom. They run small, in keeping with the old building, but the atmosphere is something no other hotel in Toulouse can match. The Saint-Exupery Suite and the Aeropostale Suite are the special rooms, holding real memorabilia and photos. Saint-Exupery himself used a second-floor room (Room 32) as his regular base between flights.
Food and amenities
The highlight is Bar 1916 in the lobby, decorated in 1920s Art Deco with photos and memorabilia of the Aeropostale pilots, and serving an Aeropostale signature cocktail inspired by the old routes. There is a fitness room with the basics and a good French breakfast buffet served in a classic dining room. The staff are friendly and genuinely interesting on the hotel's history, and the concierge can set up visits to Aerocampus, an Airbus tour and the Cite de l'espace.
Location and getting there
This is the best location in the city. Place du Capitole is about 100 metres away, a one-minute walk, and the Theatre du Capitole opera house sits across the street. The Couvent des Jacobins is a 5-minute walk, the UNESCO-listed Basilique Saint-Sernin is 10 minutes, and the Carmes market quarter is 7 minutes. Matabiau station is about 1.2 km away, roughly 5 minutes on Metro Line A from Capitole, and Toulouse-Blagnac airport is about 30 minutes on Tram T2.
Things to know before booking
The rooms are small — that is the trade-off for an 18th-century building, and worth knowing if you like space. There is no pool and no full spa, so look elsewhere for a wellness stay. Parking is limited, so plan ahead if you are driving in.
Our take
During the Aeropostale years, Toulouse was the starting point for airmail flights to Casablanca, Dakar and South America, and Le Grand Balcon was where the pilots slept. If you have read Le Petit Prince or Vol de Nuit, a night here is a deeper and more memorable stay than the 8.6/10 score alone suggests. Rates start around $114.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Aviation history you can sleep inside — Saint-Exupery, Mermoz and Guillaumet all stayed here during the Aeropostale era.
- The location is the best in the city, right by Place du Capitole with the opera house across the street.
- A boutique no other hotel in Toulouse can match for character.
- Bar 1916 has a classic feel, decorated with aviation photos and memorabilia and serving an Aeropostale signature cocktail.
- Friendly staff who know the history and share it well.
- Rooms are small, which fits the 18th-century building but means tight quarters if you like to spread out.
- There is no pool and no full spa, so this is not the place for a wellness stay.
- Parking is limited, worth planning around if you are arriving by car.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- Ask for the room Saint-Exupery used (Room 32) or the Saint-Exupery Suite for the full experience.
- Have a cocktail at Bar 1916 — the room is decorated to feel like the Aeropostale years.
- Read Le Petit Prince or Vol de Nuit before you arrive and the stay lands much harder.