The area surrounding Bordeaux, France is world-famous for its wine, and Saint-Émilion is one of the top destinations for oenophiles. This region just east of Bordeaux is home to more than 800 wineries, but the actual village of Saint-Émilion offers so much more than wine. We hopped a train from Bordeaux for an easy day trip to discover this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site.
Getting to Saint-Émilion from Bordeaux
A car is handy if you’re planning to visit Saint-Émilion’s wineries, which are scattered throughout the countryside. But if you just want to check out the medieval village of Saint-Émilion, it’s very easy to reach by train from Bordeaux’s Gare Saint-Jean. Trains depart hourly, and you can buy tickets at the station or online for this quick 30-minute ride. From the station in Saint-Émilion, you’ll take a peaceful 10-minute stroll between fields of vines to make your way into town.
What to Do in Saint-Émilion
Of course, you’ll find plenty of wine-focused attractions in Saint-Émilion including shops, tasting rooms, and wine bars. If drinking wine is your goal, you’ll have no trouble staying busy. We did enjoy our share of wine during our visit, but as usual when traveling with our son, we focused on destinations that would be enjoyable for the entire family. Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Saint-Émilion:
- Tour the Monolithic Church. One of Saint-Émilion’s most impressive sites is the Monolithic Church and bell tower. This partially subterranean church was excavated in the 12th century out of limestone, which was then used to build most of the town. We booked an English-language group tour of the church and catacombs and learned all about its incredible history. You can book tickets here.
- Visit the Cloître des Cordeliers. The Cloître des Cordeliers is a former convent dating back to the 13th century that’s now known for producing sparkling wines (a rarity in this red wine-focused part of France). Perched in the heights of the village, it offers a beautiful bird’s eye view of Saint-Émilion. We ordered a couple of glasses of the Cordeliers’ cremant, which has been produced since 1892, and wandered through the well-preserved medieval site. The cloisters open up onto a grassy area, where you can relax at tables tucked beneath shady trees, enjoying their wine and picnic baskets (which can also be purchased at the entrance). You can also schedule tours of the convent’s extensive underground tunnels as well as tuk-tuk tours of the town and cellars.
- Taste the original (maybe?) French macaron. You may have been to Ladurée to try its pastel confections, but you probably haven’t had an authentic French macaron unless you’ve been to Saint-Émilion — at least not according to locals. Their take on the macaron dates back to the 1700s, when the Ursuline nuns started making the delicate cookies out of egg whites, sugar, and almonds. (Although their recipe may in fact have been adapted from a much older recipe invented by Italian monks in the 8th century.) The actual origins of these cookies may be murky, but there’s no contesting that they’re delicious. Look for the red and white striped awning of the bakery across from the monolithic church to try these tasty morsels; supposedly they’re the only ones who hold the rights to the original recipe from 1620.
- Wander the town. Saint-Émilion is quite compact, and much of it is car-free, making it ideal for wandering on foot — although be prepared for some serious hills. Les Tertres are steep and slippery cobbled streets that connect the upper and lower parts of town. Some of these are so slick that I actually had to remove my sandals and walk barefoot to avoid slipping! I can’t even imagine trying to navigate them after a few glasses of wine.
Whether you’re a French wine aficionado or you just want to explore one of France’s most charming villages, Saint-Émilion is the perfect destination for a day trip or even a long weekend. Find out more and book your tours at Saint-Émilion official tourism site.
