The stunning village of Saint-Emilion
Saint-Emilion is one of the most beautiful village in France, enscribed in the UNESCO world heritage. It would be a pity, if not a shame, if you didn’t visit it during you stay in Bordeaux.
Saint-Emilion is about 45 kilometers northeast of Bordeaux. With its cobblestone streets, ancient stone buildings, and sprawling vineyards, the village feels like a place where time has politely paused in time.
Let’s take a stroll through this enchanting village and uncover what makes it so special.
A village steeped in history
Saint-Émilion’s story begins long before its famous wines took center stage.
The village owes its name to a humble monk named Milian, born in my birth province Brittany, who, according to legend, settled here in the 8th century.
Fleeing a life of privilege, the man who later became Émilion sought solitude and carved a hermitage out of the limestone cliffs that define the region.
Word of his miracles spread, and soon a small community grew around him. Monastries were built. And most of all, thousands of pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela came to pay respect to the monk and the stunning monolothic Church of Saint-Emilion, a breathtaking structure carved entirely from that same limestone that you can still visit nowadays..
Fast forward a few centuries, and Saint-Émilion became a bustling medieval hub. Its strategic location and fertile lands made it a prize worth protecting, as evidenced by the remnants of its fortified walls and towers.
Walking through the village feels like stepping into a history book, with every corner revealing a new chapter: Romanesque arches, weathered stone facades, and hidden underground passages that whisper tales of the past.
Saint-Emilion wines
Of course, no visit to Saint-Émilion is complete without talking about its true claim to fame: wine.
The region’s viticultural roots stretch back to Roman times, but it was the Middle Ages that saw Saint-Émilion’s reputation as a winemaking powerhouse take hold.
The combination of limestone-rich soil, a temperate climate, and centuries of know-how has turned this small patch of earth into one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions.
Saint-Émilion is particularly famous for its red wines, crafted primarily from Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes.
The village is home to 800 châteaux (wineries), most of them still being family-run. Many offer tastings and tours.
Exploring the Village
Beyond the vineyards, Saint-Émilion itself is a delight to explore.
The village is compact, but steep!
Start at the Place du Clocher, where the bell tower of the Monolithic Church rises 68 meters above the rooftops.
If you’re feeling energetic, climb the 196 steps for a panoramic view of the village and its sea of green vines stretching into the distance. It’s a workout, but the reward is worth every huff and puff.
From there, meander down the steep, narrow streets (known locally as tertres) lined with artisan shops and cozy cafés.
Pick up a box of macarons, a local specialty with a crisp exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth center, or browse for handmade pottery to bring a piece of Saint-Émilion home.
Don’t miss the underground wonders, either. Beneath the streets lie a network of catacombs, wine cellars, and the hermitage where Émilion once lived.
Why Saint-Émilion is worth visiting
What makes Saint-Émilion so unforgettable isn’t just its beauty or its wine (though both are exceptional).
It’s the way it weaves together history, nature, and human ingenuity into something that feels both timeless and alive.
You can stand in the shadow of a 12th-century tower, sip a glass of wine from vines planted decades ago, and still feel connected to the present moment. It’s a place that invites you to slow down, savor, and appreciate the good things in life.
Getting to Saint-Émilion is easy enough: it’s a short train ride or drive from Bordeaux, less than one hour!
