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 is 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.

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WHERE IS SAINT-ÉMILION AND HOW CAN YOU GET THERE?

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. You’ll find good opportunities for free parking close by (in front of the police station) and will be flexible to explore the surrounding vineyards and châteaux.

You can also catch a train from Saint-Jean station in Bordeaux. Tickets cost €9.50 one-way and €14.00 return which is pricey but still far better than taking a taxi. 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. This is less than ideal in the summer heat but definitely possible. 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. It only costs €2.60 but takes almost one hour and is only available during the high season. Check out this really helpful blog post for more details on how to get to Saint-Émilion.

HISTORY OF SAINT-ÉMILION

The Romans began clearing the local forests in the area of Saint-Émilion to plant wine in France as early as 56 BC. Remains of the many roman villas that were built during this time have been found all around Saint-Émilion. The rise of Christianity helped wine regions such as Saint-Émilion grow over the years. The name “Saint-Émilion” originates from an 8th-century monk named Emilian who settled in the village which was still called “Ascumbas” at the time. He began carving a place of worship from a large piece of limestone that sits at the center of the town. His following grew over the years and after his death, monks spent more than 300 years finishing the project. The monolithic church that was expanded from Emilian’s original construction still stands today. Eventually, Saint-Émilion was named after Emilian and he was declared a saint.

The Hundred Years’ War caused substantial damage to Saint-Émilion and its vineyards. After a period of recovery, the French Revolution in 1789 hit Saint-Émilion hard as residents had to flee the village. Revolutionaries defaced many of the historic buildings and the town remained abandoned until the end of the century. Wine production slowly started back up again in the early 1800s as the population started to return. Tourism and appreciation for Bordeaux wine seemingly exploded and so Saint-Émilion began to gain international fame and recognition.

Saint-Émilion managed to escape both World Wars relatively untouched although Bordeaux lay under Nazi occupation for some time during the Second World War. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 for being “an outstanding example of a historic vineyard landscape that has survived intact”.

ABOUT THE WINE IN SAINT-ÉMILION AND BORDEAUX

Bordeaux’s unique climate can partly be accredited to the Gulf Stream and the surrounding forests which protect Saint-Émilion’s vineyards. The soil here has a unique mixture of gravel, sand, clay, and most importantly limestone. This soil mixture decides how well the Merlot grape grows and therefore the quality of the resulting wine. The area of Saint-Émilion is almost 7,500 hectares large with more than 800 wineries (or châteaux).

Bordeaux has a unique wine classification which ranges from Premier Grand Crus classés A to Premier Grand Crus classés B, Grand Crus Classés and the Former Crus Classés.

For some of the best wineries to visit check out this post by Lost in Bordeaux.

WHEN TO GO TO SAINT-ÉMILION

It’s best to visit Saint-Émilion during the warmer months of the year when you’ll get to enjoy the vineyards at their lushest. From June to August it gets very hot in southern France which will make it more exhausting to visit Saint-Émilion if you’re walking a lot. This is also one of the busiest times when the most tourists visit Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux in general. The high season begins as early as April and lasts until September when the harvest is announced.

The harvest begins when the Ban des Vendanges (or harvest ban) is lifted. An impressive ceremony marks this day as the Jurade, an ancient brotherhood announces the start fo the harvest from the King’s Tower in Saint-Émilion. The Jurade has existed for over 800 years and has 140 members that act as symbolic protectors of the wine. For the ceremony, they wear crimson robes.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAINT-ÉMILION

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 is 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. This will give you plenty of time to see the important sights.

WHAT TO DO IN SAINT-ÉMILION

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 our favourites.

1. VISIT THE MONOLITHIC CHURCH

This is Saint-Émilion’s most famous landmark. Construction for this underground church carved out of limestone started as early as the 12th century. You can visit the church with a guided tour; find out more information here. Don’t forget to visit the lookout point located next to the bell tower of the church. You’ll have one of the best views in all of Saint-Émilion here.

2. EXPLORE THE FAMOUS CORDELIERS CLOISTER

In a more quiet side street of Saint-Émilion, the Cordeliers Cloister is the perfect place to visit after a long day of exploring. You can visit parts of this ancient site for free so it’s perfect if you’re seeing Saint-Émilion on a budget. You can purchase reasonably priced drinks and picnic baskets so it’s the perfect place for some downtime.

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 the Jurade use it 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.

4. VISIT THE CAVES

With so many wineries around there are plenty of wine cellars to visit. Keep an eye out for signs saying “Visit the caves” around Saint-Émilion. These wineries let you visit their caves or wine cellars for free in the majority of cases. Perfect for those visiting Saint-Émilion on a budget. You’ll be amazed at the ancient wine collections and maze-like caves that each winery has. There are over 200km of caves under Saint-Émilion so plenty to explore.

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. 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. A train ride costs €7 per person and takes around 35 minutes. If you add a further €4 you can visit a château and its caves and enjoy a wine tasting of one of the famous Grand Cru wines Saint-Émilion has to offer. Definitely worth it!

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 it’s 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.

WHAT SNACKS TO TRY IN SAINT-ÉMILION

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.

Looking for more authentic French snacks? Check out our 12 must-try snacks in Brittany France.

HOW MUCH IS A DAY TRIP TO SAINT-ÉMILION FROM BORDEAUX?

Saint-Émilion is definitely not the cheapest place to visit around France. Its Grand Cru wines are so expensive that you’ll have trouble finding affordable wine tastings in Saint-Émilion. However, you can still have a great day, in Saint-Émilion if you’re on a budget. Many activities are free like visiting the Eglise Collégiale, parts of the Cordeliers Cloister, and wandering around the vineyards. Eating out is definitely expensive so it is worth it to pack a picnic or go to a supermarket for some baguette and snacks.

Here is a brief price breakdown of a day trip to Saint-Émilion from Bordeaux.

-Return train ticket to Saint-Émilion from Bordeaux €14.00
-Picnic from supermarket €5.00
-Canelé and Macarons €4.00
-Tourist train with wine tasting €11.00

Total 34€ for one day

Travelling more in France? You might like our guide for visiting Mont Saint-Michel.

Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.