Saint Emilion Village
Saint Emilion in a French Village . Pure magic! As a medieval city was founded in the 8th century, by a monk: Emilion. Other men united with him and founded the current city.
My visit to the Saint Emilion village remains engraved in my memory. And it is often curiosity who leads me in these first exploration steps. You can discover multiple aspects of the village: the harmony of its buildings which form a magical contrast with the vineyards and narrow streets of the Saint Emilion area, its shaded plots bordered by restaurants, cafe, and charming churches. The place is well-known for the best wines around the world without any doubt.
Christmas Daydream in a French Village
I invite you to stroll on its fairytale area on foot or by bike and to enjoy this incomparable beauty which is suitable for daydream and Christmas time 🙂
Near Bordeaux
It is located 40 minutes by train outside Bordeaux. You arrive at the train station and the village it's just 20 minutes walk through picturesque vineyards and views. We reach very early morning to avoid the crowds - I prefer the early morning photo shoot. In addition, if you travel by car you can visit the many castles around the village in which you can book a tour through a phone arrangement. (You can find all the information in the tourist office).
Village Walk in French Village
The majority of the shops, cafes, museums open after 10.00 am. Regarding restaurants...it depends - some of them open from 12.00-2.00 and 7.00-10.00pm. On Mondays, a lot of them are closed, as you may understand we visited the village on Monday. It happens we just forgot that it was Monday! But this did not obstruct us to have an amazing day! 🙂
The visit will take you from catacombs to the chapel of the church, to reach the majestic bell tower of 68 meters, to enjoy one of the panoramic views of Saint Emilion. The construction of the church dates from the end of the 11th century and from the beginning of the 12th century. Before that, prepare yourself to climb some 196 steps leading to the bell tower.
Your first stop shall be in the Tourist office which is in the center of the village and the lovely ladies will give you a map of the area showing the main attractions and castles around, plus information about guided tours, wine classes, wine tasting, places to eat and sleep. From there you can buy your ticket also for access to the Monolithic church and its Catacombs. Please note that the Church visit including catacombs is not accessible without a ticket. The guide only has the keys, opens the doors of the Church, and delivers their secrets. Do not miss it! 🙂
We start our sightseeing in the Monolithic church which externally looks small but you will not believe it's the size as soon as you step inside! It lies beside a small yard with a charming cafe.
We continue our stroll to the Belltower which at that moment was closed but we manage to reach the top of the village and admire its breathtaking views.
Step by Step in French Village
If you travel by car there is another village entrance, on the backside named "La Porte Brunet". From there, you can have some amazing panoramic village views also.
St Emilion wine Collection
Our steps lead to a range of artistic shops, vintage cafe and restaurants, patisseries, castles, and many wine shops.
If you can't carry your favorite wine collection with you, do not worry. Most of the shops offer postal delivery to European countries and abroad. We visited a Chateau where we tried some of the best wines around the world. Unfortunately, photos were not allowed. A wine tasting in Saint Emilion is a unique experience that should not be missed!
Macaron Patisseries
A visit to a French village cannot be completed without the specialists of Macaron Patisseries which offer some of the most delicious treats! We have tried a few of them and my favorite one is the shop of "Fabrique De Macarons". The shop offers a wide collection of handmade chocolates and macaroons with free tasting. Can't be better than that! 🙂
Cafe Saigon
Several hours of exploring and drinking wine and we are very hungry. Having already enough with French cuisine we wanted to try something different. Vietnamese cuisine in for the first time and from that day it is one of my favorite cuisines! With a walking distance from the center, it is a must in Saint Emilion, thanks to the delicious food offered, its name "Cafe Saigon".
My plate was an explosion of all senses and without any exaggeration, it was the BEST SOUP! A hot soup with glass noodles, shrimps, onions, peanuts, a touch of mint and a few more ingredients which I am not aware of. For dessert, we have coconut ice cream with mango soup, garnished with passion fruit. I can not emphasize enough, how good it is! A very nice restaurant, with affordable prices, excellent service, and a charming welcome.
DISCLAIMER: That time. I was not a Vegan.
It's getting cold and dark...it's time to walk back to the train station. Thus, as night falls, it makes our walking journey through the vineyards even more enjoyable. I feel peaceful and totally satisfied with our visit. What a beautiful place! As you will have understood here is the ideal place to be - for wine lovers, desserts lovers, Chateau lovers, nature lovers, and even for romantic escapes. 🙂
Things to do in a French Village
- Monolithic church - Price: 8 Euro, only guided, photos are not allowed, you can buy your tickets from the Tourist office,
- Wine Tour - Price: 10 Euro, from April to November. It offers a unique panoramic visit in one of the largest vineyards in the world, on a convertible bus,
- Chateau Cardinal, Chateau Corbin-Michotte, Chateau Fonplegade, and much more! (Tours and communication numbers through Tourist Office),
- Belltower,
- There is a Tuk Tuk service which travels you around the village for the best views and sightseeing,
- For more, you can visit the official village's website here: Saint Emilion tourism.
Julia Dent (@juliadentphoto)
So pretty!! I love all those old buildings! 🙂 I want to go there now!
penelopi
Hi Julia! thanks for your message! 🙂 yes it's veryyyy beautiul!! Put it on your bucket list 🙂
Lia @ Practical Wanderlust
We visited Saint Emilion recently during a trip to Bordeaux! It's sooo cute and OMG, the wine! Your pictures make me want to go back when the weather is nicer!
penelopi
Hey Lia! thanks for your comment. I stayed in Bordeaux for 5 months and I loved it!! I agree, the wine its a top notch!!!
Travel with Alaine
I'm a wineaholic and one of my favorite wines to drink is St. Emillion Grand Cru Bordeaux... I am planning to visit in Autumn so I can visit the wineries and hopefully learn about their winemaking process. It would be amazing!
penelopi
hey there! thanks for your message! Bordeaux is one the best areas to drink heavenly good wine, explore the vineyards and their wine making process. 🙂 You will have a great time! 🙂
Doctor Anni
Saint Emilion looks beautiful. I want to visit Southern France in the fall so this is very helpful. I will save this post for later.
penelopi
Hi there!!! thanks for messaging me. Yes its one of the most beautiful places I have been to France.! You should not miss it.
Phoebe
What beautiful scenery and buildings; St Emilion looks like a wonderful place to explore, hopefully I'll get the chance one day.
penelopi
Thanks for your message. St Emilion is one place it will forever stick in my mind!
World By Isa
I'm in love with your pictures!! I love to visit these small medieval cities, feels like you a in a time capsule!
penelopi
Hey there!! Thanks for your nice words! Yes its like a capsule fairytale indeed!!!
fouronaworldtrip
That looks great! I never have been to that area of France but it's on my bucket list since long 🙂
penelopi
Hello, thanks for your message! Yes yes you should visit it!
Katrina | Aqua & Ink
France is so beautiful and I totally agree you cannot complete a trip anywhere in France without going to a patisserie and extra points if you get macaroons. Awesome post and somewhere I would love to explore one day!
penelopi
Hey Katrina, thanks for your nice words. Yes French Patisseries and Macarons are a MUST.
Magda | follow the view
Shame on me - I have ben only to Nice and Paris! But as I can see from your post, the true French spirit is easier to find in these small villages 🙂 Must finally visit one!
penelopi
Helllo Magda!! Do not be same!! I haven't been to Nice. Lots of people think that France is only Paris. But, in fact it has a lot of amazing little villages that you can visit. You will do it next time!
Michelle du Toit
Oh my, after watching the latest version of Beauty and the Beast I'm in love with the idea of going to France and this blog just fueled that wanderlust! What a stunning place.
penelopi
Hi Michelle!! thanks for your message! Oh I haven't seen the movie!! Thanks for the info! France is very beautiful indeed!! 🙂
Emilia
Absolutely stunning pictures - I'd love to visit this place!
penelopi
Hey Emilia, thanks for your nice message! Yes you should visit it!! Love love love it!!! I have to go back soon.
makenzie
Great post and so many photos! its a shame you didn't get to visit the bell tower but it seems you did so many other great things. ill be sure to visit next time im passing through france 🙂
penelopi
Hey there! Thanks for your message! Unfortunately it was closed on the day 🙁
Karen
What a charming place. I haven't been to this part of France but LOVE your photos and the idea of having amazing wine/macarons in addition to seeing this architecture. Can't wait to go for myself!
penelopi
Hello Karen, thanks for nice message! The combination of macarons, wine and Architecture is to die for!!
Ebba
Such a beautiful town! Thanks for sharing!
penelopi
Thank you Ebba!!!
JAIMEE
LOVE these photos. To be honest I'd never heard of this village - I am definitely going to look into it though because we live just next to France (in Belgium) and I could see it being an easy trip for me 🙂 I like the history you put into the post too, I always find that kind of thing interesting.
penelopi
Hello Jaimee, thanks for your message! This little village is easy accessible from Bordeaux by train and its very famous on the area around. Give it a try, its really worth it. 🙂
Rohan
Looks stunning. Can't beat good wine and amazing scenery 🙂 Lovely pictures too!
penelopi
Thanks Rohan!!!
Flo
Stunning photos Penelopi! This looks like such a charming little town and I'd definitely want to climb the bell tower for the views!
penelopi
Hey Flo, yes you should, it's magic!! The bell tower was closed on that day so I did not had the chance.
Girlswanderlust
Wonderful photos!! I never heard about Saint-Emilion, but now I definitely want to visit it! It looks like a great town and the wine tour for just €10,00 sounds as a great activity! =)
penelopi
Thank thank you!! Saint - Emilion Wine paradise!!!
departureandarrivals
Very beautiful, feels like a really chilled place to just relax and enjoy the architecture and nature around!
penelopi
Hey there! thanks for your message! its indeed a beautiful place!!
Helen
What a beautiful village! You can really feel the history through your photos.
penelopi
Thank you Helen!!!
inlocamotion
Wow, Saint Emilion seems like such a charming place. Really beautiful photos of the village and vineyards 🙂 Now I want a macaron! haha. Thanks for sharing this guide!
penelopi
Hey there!! hahah me too I am always craving for Macarons!!!
Kyntra Strickland
This looks and sounds like a great adventure! Especially all of the wine. You have such beautiful pictures. I would love to explore France more. Thanks for sharing.
penelopi
Thank you dear!! France is amazing!!!!
nomadepicureans
What a quaint little village ????????????
I've only ever been to the South of France, not even Paris, but Bordeaux is so high on my list! And that looks like a perfect daytrip!
The church looks amazing! We don't usually drink wine, but I guess wine tasting is just a must in the region.
Hope we get to visit one day 🙂
Jacky ????
Penelopi
Hey there! Thanks for your message. I hope you will visit it soon!! its very beautiful!! 🙂
Laia
Ohhh I love these charming little villages in France! I used to live in Toulouse and visited a few which were nearby. I also went to Bordeaux but didn't know about Saint Emilion! Looks like a great day trip with the monolithic church and the wineyards 🙂
And thinking about macarons... I miss them!
penelopi
Hello Laia! Thank you for your message! I Love Toulouse - the pink city!! Especially the old part of the city.. 🙂
Next time you visit Bordeaux do not miss Saint Emilion! 🙂
Christina Guan (@happy2wander)
Yes yes yes! I LOVE Saint Emilion. I find it so freaking charming, and get super excited when other people love it too haha. When I was there they were actually filming a series about 'the most charming towns in France' haha. Definitely see why it made the list!
Maninio
Hello Christina! I agree!! Glad that you like it too, I get super excited too! hahaha No doubt is on of the most beautiful places I have seen in my life!! 🙂
Agness of Fit Travelling
Saint Emilion seems outstanding and I hope I get there soon, Penelopi! Is is a good autumn destination?
penelopi
Hey Agness thanks for your message! 🙂 Yes during Autumn is great also. It might snow a little bit sometimes which makes it even more charming. 🙂