Saint-Émilion is a medieval wine-village located a 45-minute drive away from the city Bordeaux in France. Some of the best wines in the world are produced in Saint-Émilion and it’s one of the largest wine regions in Bordeaux. But even if you don’t consider yourself a wine connoisseur you should put Saint-Émilion at the top of your bucket list for France.
The little town is stunningly beautiful with buildings dating back to the 12 century. It’s definitely not a cheap place to visit but if you know a few tips and tricks you can enjoy Saint-Émilion even if you’re on a budget. You’ll be stunned by how beautiful the area is and how many wineries there are to explore. In fact, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 for being “an outstanding example of a historic vineyard landscape that has survived intact”.
Saint-Émilion lies around 35km north-west of Bordeaux in south-western France. In just under 45-minutes you can reach this stunning wine-village located amongst some of the most beautiful vineyards in the entire area. The easiest way to get to Saint-Émilion is to drive by car as I did. You’ll find good opportunities for free parking close by and will be flexible to explore the surrounding vineyards and châteaux.
You can also catch a train from Saint-Jean station in Bordeaux. The train will, however, only take you to the Saint-Émilion train station from where you’ll have to walk a further 15 to 20 minutes to reach the actual old town. The train runs hourly and takes around 35 minutes to get to Saint-Émilion. There is also a bus that goes from Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion but it takes almost one hour and is only available during the high season.
Saint-Émilion is perfect for a day trip from Bordeaux. You can also choose to stay in one of the upscale hotels in Saint-Émilion itself but this will be more expensive. In my opinion, it’s only really worth staying in Saint-Émilion if you know a lot about wines and aren’t traveling on a budget. Otherwise, the best option is to stay in Bordeaux and visit Saint-Émilion just for one day as I did. This will still give you plenty of time to see the important sights.
There are plenty of things to do when you visit Saint-Émilion even if you’re on a budget. Here is a quick overview of some of my favourites.
1. VISIT THE MONOLITHIC CHURCH
This is Saint-Émilion’s most famous landmark. If you only visit one monument in this UNESCO village, it has to be the Monolithic Church. Dug out from limestone in the 12th century, the Monolithic Church is the largest of its kind in Europe. Construction for this underground church carved out of limestone started as early as the 12th century. In my case, I had the extra privilege of visiting during a Mass.
2. PORTE DE LA CADENE
Saint-Émilion was a fortified town and has several gates leading into the village. Without a doubt, the Porte de La Cadène is the most beautiful. The arched gateway is a perfect frame for the 68-metre-high bell tower topping the Monolithic Church. The gate is situated at the top of an incredibly steep cobbled lane called a tertre, connecting the upper and lower towns.
3. SEE THE KING’S TOWER
One of Saint-Émilion’s most prominent landmarks, the King’s Tower, is an absolute must-see. It is said to have been constructed in the early 13th century. Today it is used to announce the beginning of the grape harvest in September every year. You can climb to the top of the tower for breathtaking views of the city. Unfortunately, it was closed when I was there.
4. THE WASH HOUSES
Entering Saint-Émilion from the Porte Brunet, you can follow the road down to the lower town. It’s here, beneath the King’s Keep, where you find two wash houses. They’re fed from the natural water sources that supplied many of the wells and fountains of the village. Contrary to popular belief, the women didn’t actually bring their linen here to wash it. Instead, they brought it after it had been washed to rinse it out in the clear water of the wash houses. They were also a social affair where meetings and catching up took place.
5. TAKE THE TRAIN TO EXPLORE THE VINEYARDS
An absolute must-do when visiting Saint-Émilion is taking the little tourist train around the vineyards unless you have hired a car, in which case you can go around exploring in your car. This is perfect to really see the beautiful landscape that surrounds the town and admire the many châteaux which you won’t get to see otherwise.
6. BE AMAZED BY THE EGLISE COLLÉGIALE
Another beautiful church in Saint-Émilion that you cannot miss. It’s open to the public and a great place to go if you’re seeing Saint-Émilion on a budget. The interior of the church is stunningly beautiful just like its secluded courtyard. Simply perfect.
7. EXPLORE THE STREETS
Saint-Émilion has many little side streets with wine shops, souvenirs, and little restaurants. Wandering around is the perfect way to get to know the town and shop for wines or souvenirs. But even the lesser-known and quiet streets can be great for taking photos and really seeing Saint-Émilion without the tourist crowds.
8. ADMIRE THE GREAT WALL
These remnants of a 12th-century monastery mark the entrance to Saint-Émilion. The wall sits in the midst of a vineyard whose château named itself “The Great Wall”. It’s an impressive photo spot and a beautiful historic place to visit.
Saint-Émilion is famous for its Macarons which have been hand-made using the same recipe since the 18th century. You might be thinking of the colorful little cookies you know from Paris and other bakeries around France. The original Macarons, however, are not colored or filled. They come on sheets of pastry paper and are considered a gourmet delicacy. You can only find the real Macarons in Saint-Émilion so you will have to give them a try. With their soft almond taste and airy texture, you’ll be wanting to take a box home with you.
Another dessert you will have to try in Saint-Émilion or even Bordeaux are the famous Canelé. This caramel crusted pastry is buttery and deliciously sweet. They are difficult to make perfect so you need to take every chance you get to try them. You’ll find them in bakeries and pastry shops around Saint-Émilion.
