Saint Emilion is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most idyllic wine towns in the Bordeaux region. The medieval town, surrounded by rolling vineyards, is an excellent day trip from Bordeaux, either by train, car or guided tour. Here are tips for arriving from Bordeaux and what you can expect to experience!
Train from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion
If you don’t rent a car it’s not a problem. It’s a 35km train ride from Gare St. Jean train station in Bordeaux to Gare de Saint Émilion. The journey takes about 40 minutes each way and costs from €20 ($25 USD) round trip. The train ride is comfortable and you’ll be privy to some excellent views of vineyards and chateaus, especially as you get closer to Saint Emilion.
Be Sure to Validate Your TGV Ticket
Be certain to validate each leg of your journey as French TGV train tickets are valid for 2 months and must be stamped from one of the yellow ticket machines on the station platform. We were actually unaware of this and when the train conductor came to check tickets she made us aware and cut us a huge break by not fining us. It’s lucky we didn’t get a conductor who was having a bad day, otherwise, we would have received a hefty fine. If you forget to validate your train ticket it is your responsibility to seek out a train conductor and inform them, don’t let them come to you first.
Arriving at Gare de Saint Emilion
Once you arrive at Saint Emilion’s small train station, you’ll need to walk about 1km past picturesque vineyards into town. Saint Emilion is one of France’s most beautiful towns. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its well preserved historic center, surrounded by vineyards. The interiors are a different story, housing an abundance of chic wine shops, trendy restaurants, sweet shops and gift shops. Saint Emilion is very touristy, but somehow still feels authentic. After a few hours strolling through this magnificent town, Bell and I both fell in love with it. It is one of our favorite European towns.
Rent a Bicycle
We had planned to rent a bicycle and cycle through the lush vineyards of the region to several of the areas renown chateaus. But with July temperatures that day reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), we chose not to labor and possibly argue for the rest of the day and scrapped that plan. Along with lower prices, fall and spring are better times to visit this region because you’re less likely to be bogged down with heat and can partake in more activities.
Scorching summer temperatures also mean you probably won’t be in the mood to drink what Bordeaux is most famous for- red wine. Fortunately, the Bordeaux region also produces enjoyable white wines which Bell doubly appreciated as she’s unfortunately allergic to the tannins in red wine.
Stay Hydrated in Summer
Wine is ubiquitous in Saint Emilion, but amazingly not bottled water in shops on a hot summer’s day. We had to pass through several shops before finally being able to purchase some cold water. Be sure to have some water if you arrive by train as there wasn’t anyplace to buy it near the train station. To cool off we also enjoyed some wonderful sorbet from one of several ice cream vendors. If you like tart flavors, we highly recommend getting a scoop of passion fruit as it was pretty much the best sorbet we’ve ever eaten.
Bordeaux in summer is often equally sweltering. So stay hydrated with more than just wine!
Wear Good Walking Shoes in Saint Emilion
Saint Emilion has a rather steep climb on tricky cobblestone streets so be sure to wear good walking shoes! When you reach the top of town you’ll be rewarding with a stunning panoramic view of nearby wineries and the town below. It’s a view you will never forget and one of the many scenic things in life where the pictures don’t do it justice.
You can also take a short tram ride around some wineries and the tours lasts around 30 minutes. This is especially a good idea if members of your party aren’t able or willing to rent bicycles.
Dining in Saint Emilion
We highly recommend having wine and dinner in the main square as it’s one of the most beautiful settings we’ve ever dined in. And the prices are fantastic considering you could pay the same money to eat pub food elsewhere. Find a restaurant in a stunning setting in the square with a charming view of the Monolithic Church of St. Emilion.
There’s a few other neighboring restaurants in the square, so have a look at the menus to see which canard (duck) dish you’d like to indulge in. For vegetarians, there is unfortunately no soy foie gras options.
Eating there reminded us of the opening of the movie The Way, about hiking the Camino de Santiago, which begins in France. Saint Emilion is truly a great day trip from Bordeaux!
Saint Emilion Tours from Bordeaux
Full Day Trip to Saint Emilion
Spend a day enjoying French wine in the Saint-Emilion and Pomerol wine region. Departing from Bordeaux, the tour includes visits to two chateau’s to taste the region’s famous wines. Wander the streets of beautiful Saint-Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, guided by a knowledgable English speaking guide. The tour includes a full-day trip to the St Emilion wine region from Bordeaux. The tour costs from €160 ($183 USD) per person.
Half Day Trip to Saint Emilion
Spend a half-day in the charming medieval town of Saint-Emilion on a trip from Bordeaux. Explore the best of this UNESCO-listed village, including a wine tasting at a grand cru wine estate, a walk along the historic city walls, and visits to unique artist galleries and studios. Enjoy some free time in Saint-Emilion, too. The Saint Emilion half day tour from Bordeaux tour costs from €95 ($109 USD).
Saint Emilion Hotels
Here are several highly rated hotels in different categories. For high season, book in advance. For low season, sometimes you can get better deals booking last minute.
Château Hôtel Grand Barrail
Château Hôtel Grand Barrail offers a wonderful 5-star luxury stay just outside Saint Emilion. The 19th-century Château has an outdoor swimming pool, spa center, free Wi-Fi and soundproofed accommodation. All guest rooms at the Grand Barrail Chateau are equipped with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.
Some rooms feature sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards. The Grand Barrail Chateau Spa features a gastronomic restaurant that serves regional cuisine. Situated along the Dordogne River, the property is 2 miles from Saint-Emilion.
Villa Héloïse
Villa Héloïse is a wonderful place for couples to stay just outside Saint Emilion. Located in Puisseguin and surrounded by vineyards, Villa Héloïse offers elegant rooms with LCD TVs, free Wi-Fi and a meeting room. With wooden floor and furnishing, each air-conditioned room has a minibar, safe and private bathroom with bathrobes and luxury toiletries.
Some rooms feature a spa bath and sauna or facilities for guests with reduced mobility. A continental breakfast is offered every morning. Accessible via Libourne Train Station, Villa Héloïse is 6 miles from Saint-Emilion and 31 miles from Bordeaux city centre. Wine tasting can also be enjoyed right on site!
Bordeaux Hotels
If you just want to visit Saint Emilion for the day, like we did, you can base yourself in Bordeaux.
Luxury
Hôtel Le Palais Gallien offers a wonderful 5-star luxury stay in Bordeaux, complete with concierge and ticket service. The property features fine dining, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, bar and garden. Their 24-hour front desk can also assist with airport transfers and room service. Free WiFi can be found throughout the property. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Esplanade des Quinconces, Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux and CAPC Musee d’Art Contemporain.
Mid-Range
L’Hôtel Particulier is located just 350 feet from Saint-André Cathedral in Bordeaux. The property offers free WiFi and is ideally located to discover the highlights of Bordeaux. Each room at this comfortable guest house is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms have a balcony or patio and feature a comfortable seating area. All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom. Concierge service is available at the property. On-site bike hire is also available.
Budget
The Ibis Bordeaux Centre – Gare Saint Jean, is a good option for budget travelers. It’s conveniently located 1,000 feet from Saint Jean Train Station and a 10-minute tram ride from the city center. The property offers an on-site bar and complimentary WiFi in rooms. An ample buffet breakfast composed of sweet and savory dishes such as eggs, fruit salad, yogurts and juices can be purchased for an additional cost. It is no frills, but offers a base to explore Bordeaux.
Bordeaux Wines
You’d be hard pressed to enter any reputable wine shop in the world and not find an ample selection from the Bordeaux region, including Saint Emilion. Wine production in the Bordeaux region alone accounts for over €14 billion ($15 billion+ USD) of revenue annually. That’s greater than the entire Gross Domestic Product of many countries! The robust flavors of a smooth Bordeaux wine are a personal favorite of many.
Have questions about travel to France or elsewhere? You can leave a comment below or email me at [email protected] and I‘ll get back to you!
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I want to book my flight now!!! Beautiful photos and the food looks so good.
Yes it is a rather inspiring place! Bell and I would absolutely love to return. I also have Cognac on my mind as that’s just 120 km north of Bordeaux!
Mike had just told me about this marathon he’d do with me in Medoc, northern wine region of Bordeaux in September. Check out the course here and I assure you he’s not there to run. http://www.marathondumedoc.com/images/stories/medoc_pratique/Parcours_2013_chateaux_DEF_JUIN_2013.pdf
Haha! The Tour de Chateau…love it! Yeah Medoc is also meant to be amazing for wine tasting, as is Cadillac for those that like sweet fortified wines. I was going to do a day trip to Cadillac (sounds pretty classy) the last day of Bell’s conference but there was no train there and I had just missed one of the infrequent buses. Pity as the town looked beautiful on the tourism video in the hotel room and yes, the car is named after that town!