There are those who work at the Burdigala, and then there are those who know almost every chapter of its story. Isabelle is one of them. Since joining the hotel in September 1994, she has seen the Burdigala evolve, transform and reinvent itself over the years. From receptionist to Rooms Division Director, she tells us about her journey and more than thirty years of an adventure that has always been, above all, about people.
Can you tell us about your journey?
I grew up in Indre-et-Loire and moved to Bordeaux in the 1990s. After completing my secondary education, I studied office administration and secretarial work before going on to study Applied Foreign Languages at university. As part of my studies, spending time abroad was essential. So I went to London for two months as an au pair… and ended up staying with the same family for more than four years!
The truth is, I had no clear idea of what I wanted to do. What I did know, however, was exactly what I didn’t want: to be stuck in an office with no interaction with other people. I wanted a job where I could meet people and connect with them. Eventually, I replied to a job advert from a four-star hotel in Indre-et-Loire looking for a receptionist with a good command of foreign languages. I got the job… and that’s how my adventure in the hospitality industry began!
When did your adventure at the Burdigala begin?
I joined the Burdigala on 11 September 1994… so quite a few years ago now! At the time, I was working as a receptionist at Château Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac in Saint-Émilion. A position became available at the Burdigala, and that’s how the adventure began. I joined as a receptionist, then became Front Office Manager and, eventually, Rooms Division Director.
What do you enjoy most about the Burdigala and your job?
I’ve always loved coming to work, and that’s still true today. What motivates me most is the people. Over all these years, I’ve met some incredible people, both among the teams and our guests, whether well-known or very well-known, French or international. That’s what I value most about my job: the encounters and conversations with all the people who pass through the Burdigala.
After all these years, what are you particularly proud of?
It’s very difficult to choose. So much has happened in more than thirty years! What I remember above all are the human connections: colleagues who became familiar faces and pillars I could rely on, some of whom became my friends. There are also our loyal guests, whom we have the pleasure of welcoming back year after year.
There have also been so many memorable moments along the way: the busy seasons, the various renovations, changes in ownership and management, and ways of working that have evolved over the years… not to mention dealing with the unexpected, which is part of our everyday life!
To sum it up, I feel lucky to work in a place that means something to me. I’m not simply someone who has worked in the same place for a long time: I’ve grown here. I no longer feel simply like an employee, but truly part of the place — which is another way of saying I’m part of the furniture! I have a history here, and a wealth of memories.
And finally, I’ve laughed. A lot. An incredible amount, with my colleagues, whom I adore! With one of them in particular: Renaud. From the very beginning of our professional journey, when we were both receptionists, we made — and still make — a fantastic team. I owe him a great deal, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart.
What if you came and wrote the next chapter with us?
For more than 30 years, Isabelle has watched stories, encounters and memories unfold within the Burdigala. What if the next story were yours? Come and discover the Burdigala during your next stay in Bordeaux and meet the people who bring the hotel to life every day.
Book your next stay at the Burdigala: https://www.burdigala.com/