11 best things to do in Saint Emilion, France
Of all the things to do in Saint Emilion, wine is the most well-known. But beyond the vineyards that extend as far as the eye can see is a marvellous collection of medieval monuments, religious pilgrimage sites, and historic pockets waiting to be explored. If you’re looking for what to do in Saint Emilion, this is just the place to start.
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The most alluring of the Bordeaux region’s wine towns, Saint Emilion has been capturing the imagination of visitors for centuries. Perched on a hill surrounded by verdant vineyards, this medieval town is one of the best day trips from nearby Bordeaux.
Granted a UNESCO World Heritage listing in 1999, the limestone buildings set among terraced gardens and vineyards provide one of the most scenic settings in France. Once a stop on pilgrimage routes, the town is now a much-visited oenophile hotspot holding some of the most prestigious titles in winemaking.
There’s more than just wine that makes a visit to Saint Emilion worthwhile. From honey-hued limestone streets to lofty church towers that overlook the grandeur of the appellation, this charming hillside hamlet is deserving of the attention it receives.
If you’re looking for what to do in Saint Emilion, this list shares the best of sights and flavours the town has to offer.
THINGS TO DO IN SAINT EMILION
1 | Monolithic Church of Saint Emilion
Set in the centre of town, the Monolithic Church of Saint Emilion is a reminder of the Middle Ages for all who visit. The largest monolithic church in Europe, it’s unusual in its design, much of the church is underground, dug out in the 12th century.
Above, a 68-metre bell tower rises above the town, climbing to the top of which provides breathtaking views across the surrounding appellation. In modern times, the church now holds religious ceremonies and concerts, as well as a daily tour of the church and underground.
THE DETAILS
Address | Pl. du Marché, 33330 Saint-Émilion, France
Opening | One tour per day at 2pm
Cost | €15 for adults and €8 for children
2 | Go wine tasting
With more than 800 wineries to choose from, passing up the opportunity to taste some of the most prestigious wines in the world seems like a loss. The wider Saint Emilion region is made up of nine towns, however there are also plenty within walking distance of the town centre.
I completed tastings at both Chateau Soutard and Chateau Guadet which were very different but equally enjoyable experiences. The main grape varieties in Saint Emilion are red, though I also sampled some white and rose wines as well.
Wine tastings at chateaux and vineyards start from around €20 per person, with more expensive options available for vintage and Grand Cru tastings.
3 | Try Saint Emilion Grand Cru
When you’re in Saint Emilion, you can’t miss sampling the region’s most regaled drop - the Grand Cru. Produced under tighter regulations than standard Saint Emilion wines, Grand Cru is a full-bodied, structured wine with tight tannins.
It’s this wine that sets the region apart from other wine regions across France and the world. While you can complete regular wine tasting at many vineyards throughout the Saint Emilion appellation, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to try Grand Cru. A large number of vineyards serve this speciality, including Chateau Soutard, Château Villemaurine, and Clos Fourtet, which are all within walking distance of the town centre.
4 | Cloître des Cordeliers
Taking its name from the Franciscan monks who wore brown robes with a corded rope around their waists, this former 14th-century monastery features exquisite Romanesque architecture.
Featuring a network of underground cellars and passages carved into 20-metre-deep limestone, you’ll also find a series of monolithic columns and a beautiful garden. In the underground cellars, the sparkling wines that are sold on-site have been maturing since 1892.
You can take a historical guided tour of the site and cellars, or stop by the estate restaurant and wine bar to sample some of the excellent sparkling wine, a change from the reds the region is typically known for.
THE DETAILS
Address | 2 bis, rue de la porte Brunet, Cloître des Cordeliers, 33330
Opening | 10:30am-5:30pm daily (Closed November - April)
Cost | one hour tour with wine tasting €12.50
5 | Climb the bell tower of the Monolithic church
Once you’ve explored the underground passageways below Saint Emilion, head above to the highest point in town. Climb the 196 steps to access 360-degree uninterrupted views across the Saint Emilion hills and beyond.
Built in both Romanesque and Gothic styles, the bellow tower is not to be missed. To access the tower, you need to collect the key from the Tourism Office across the road. Last entry at 30 minutes before the tourism office closes and entry costs €2.
6 | Visit the local market
A visit to France isn’t complete without wandering the stalls of the local markets. On Wednesday and Sunday you can meander your way through the centre of town and explore the atmosphere of a local village market. You’ll mostly find fresh produce and a few other handicrafts at this market.
7 | Sample the original recipe Saint Emilion macarons
The Bordeaux region is known for a collection of sweets typical of the region, but Saint Emilion is home to the first macarons. Head to Fabrique de macarons to pick up these sweet snacks, a fluffy concoction of sweet and bitter almonds with egg whites and sugar.
Unbelievably moreish, the recipe has been passed down from generation to generation since the Ursuline sisters created it in the convent in 1620. Nadia Fermigier is now the only person to hold the original recipe for these delicious crunchy yet delicate desserts.
THE DETAILS
Address | 9 Rue Guadet, 33330 Saint-Émilion, France
Opening hours | 8am - 7:30pm daily
8 | Visit the King’s Tower
Standing tall in the lower town of Saint Emilion, the King’s Tower was formerly the original bell tower for the medieval town. The only romanesque keep still intact in Gironde, there remains an ongoing debate about who ordered the construction of the tower, but it stands to be an incredible monument within the town.
Between March and October, you can climb the 118 stairs to the top of the tower to access magnificent views over the town.
THE DETAILS
Address | Tour du Roy, Rue des Jurats, 33330, Saint-Émilion
Opening hours | 1:45pm-5pm weekends from March to October. Closed weekdays.
Cost | €2
9 | Admire views of the Saint Emilion appellation
Perched on the clay and limestone soils of the region, Saint Emilion offers some of the most exceptional views across the surrounding vineyard-strewn hillsides. Especially magical during the golden glow of sunset, walk along the streets of the upper town to overlook the sprawling Libournais countryside below.
10 | Find Porte Brunet and Porte de la Cadene
Commissioned by England in the 12th century to protect the village of Saint Emilion, part of the original ramparts still stand today. Designed to fortify the city, they also showed the power and prosperity of the village.
Porte de la Cadene is particularly interesting as it is located next to the last remaining half-timber house in Saint Emilion. Dating back to the 16th century, the home is worth stopping by while exploring the village.
11 | Explore the winding streets of the historic centre
Of course, there’s nothing more enjoyable than simply walking through the stone streets of Saint Emilion. Streets that could inspire storybooks, the limestone lanes are awash with wine shops, artists’ galleries, and handmade goods.
Weave your way through the lower town as you head up from the train station before zigzagging along the laneways of the upper town. The cobblestones that pave the streets were brought from England on ships weighed down with them to safely make the passage via sea. Left behind, they were replaced by wine barrels on the return journey.
Some streets are so steep as they twist and turn between the upper and lower areas of Saint Emilion that handrails have been installed to help visitors move up and down the lanes. For a free view that captures the quintessence of Saint Emilion, head to the rooftop of the Monolithic Church next to the bell tower as the balcony overlooks the village square below.
Where is Saint Emilion
Saint Emilion is a town best known for its premium quality wine in the southwest of France approximately 30 minutes from Bordeaux. The Saint Emilion appellation is located in the Libournais region, where the medieval town centre is surrounded by vineyards that sweep across the hilly countryside.
The town and its nearby vineyards were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 due to the rich history of traditional winemaking in the region. Saint Emilion is part of the Bordeaux Right Bank winemaking region, which also encompasses an additional four ‘satellite appellations’.
How to get to Saint Emilion from Bordeaux
Just 40km away, the easiest way to get from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion by train. If you plan on spending your day sampling some of the incredible wines while you’re there, it’s also the best option so you won’t need to worry about driving.
By Train
The train from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion takes 30 minutes on average, with the fastest services completing the journey in 29 minutes. There are no changes required, and there are up to 16 trains per day with services approximately every two hours. From Bordeaux, take the train from Bordeaux St-Jean station to Saint Emilion Station. From there, the centre of the medieval city is located a 15-minute walk from the station. The walk is gradually uphill and there are footpaths only on some parts of the walk, though the road isn’t usually too busy. If you’d prefer not to walk, there are also tuk-tuk services that can take you to the city centre from the train station for €4 per person. The tuk-tuk service can be booked once you have arrived, though sometimes drivers are waiting and available. The tuk-tuks operate between 9:30am-6pm daily from April to October. The first train from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion departs at 5:50am and the last service for the return journey leaves Saint Emilion at 9:30pm. Return tickets start from €10 and I’d recommend booking your return ticket before departing Bordeaux. Ticketing can be difficult in Saint Emilion, so pre-purchasing your return journey is far more convenient. You can also purchase tickets in advance with Trainline.
By Bus
You can catch a bus from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion which is the cheapest option at only €2.60, which is great if you’re on a budget. Transports en Nouvelle Aquitaine runs the 304 service from Quinconces in Bordeaux to Saint Emilion operates three services each way per day. You can check the timetable here.
By Car
The Saint Emilion appellation is quite large which means you may prefer to explore some of the vineyards further from the town centre. For this, travelling by car will be the best option. You can rent cards from Bordeaux airport and Gare Saint Jean, the main train station in Bordeaux. I always book rental cars with rentalcars.com.
Once you’ve picked up your car, follow the N89 Bordeaux to Libourne route to reach Saint Emilion. When you reach Saint Emilion, you can find free parking at the Gendarmerie (police station). However, at busy times such as high season and weekends, this parking is often full so instead, leave your car at the free parking next to the train station. There are also several other paid car parks near the collegiate church and Place Bouqueyre.
Join a tour
If you’d prefer to let someone else do the planning, then joining a tour of Saint Emilion from Bordeaux might just be the best option for you. This full day tour combines sightseeing with wine tasting for a well-rounded experience. Covering stops at a chateau near Saint Emilion for wine tasting, you’ll then head to the historic centre to explore the town with a 45-minute guided tour and free time to explore. The final stop on your return to Bordeaux is for a final wine tasting in Pomerol including a tour of the cellars and vat house. Check dates and prices here.
If you’d prefer something shorter, this half day Saint Emilion tour from Bordeaux covers a visit to the UNESCO listed historic town, as well as wine tasting at a Grand Cru estate where you can sample some of the region’s finest wines. Check availability and prices here.
How long to spend in Saint Emilion
For many, one day in Saint Emilion is enough to see the town’s best sights and enjoy a wine tasting or day. This is why it’s one of the most popular day trips from Bordeaux. However, if you’d prefer to take it slowly, an overnight stay and two full days in Saint Emilion will give you a great sense of place and everything the region has to offer.
