Saint-Émilion, France: Where to Stay in Bordeaux's Medieval Wine Village
- 14 hours ago
- 10 min read
France's Southwest region of Bordeaux is accessible directly from Paris by high speed train in only 2.5 hours so why not make the easy journey? The world renowned wine region of Bordeaux has a countless number of the world's top châteaux to visit, and the crown jewel of all the region's villages, Saint Émilion, should be your top village to see. The ancient medieval hilltop village of Saint Émilion with its gorgeous vistas, spectacular wines and Michelin restaurants has become one of Bubbly Tourist's favorite destinations not only in France, but worldwide. In this article, we will help you determine what to see and do as well as where to stay in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux's medieval wine village.
First a Bordeaux Geography / Wine Primer
The Bordeaux region is large and has many outstanding wineries, so it may be helpful for you to first understand its geography to help you navigate and explore the region's somewhat complex categorization of wines.
Bordeaux the Wine Region
The Gironde river divides the area into the Left Bank (Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant reds), Right Bank (Merlot-dominant reds), and Entre-Deux-Mers (dry whites) wines. Bordeaux has around 60 regional, sub-regional, and village wine Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC). These AOC's are an official French quality label that proves where a wine was made and how it was produced. The most famous, and generally most expensive wines tend to be from the Left Bank. That's because in 1855, Emperor Napoleon III ordered a Classification of Bordeaux's top wine estates - based entirely on their market price and reputation at the time - for the Paris World’s Fair to showcase France’s finest wines. It grouped the top châteaux into five quality tiers called "Growths" (Crus) which for the most part is still intact today. In the Right Bank, you also find high quality wines that tend to be a better value (i.e., generally not as expensive) but even that is not a hard truth.
Left Bank Appellations
Médoc & Haut-Médoc:
Regional areas known for structured red blends.
Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux:
Famous village sub-appellations in the Médoc making ageworthy reds.
Graves & Pessac-Léognan:
South of the city; known for both structured reds and fine dry whites.
Sauternes & Barsac:
Specialized in world-renowned sweet, botrytized white wines.
Right Bank Appellations
Saint-Émilion:
Renowned Merlot- and Cabernet Franc-based reds on limestone and clay.
Pomerol:
Small, prestigious area producing rich, soft, Merlot-heavy wines.
Fronsac & Castillon:
Neighboring areas offering approachable, value-driven red blends.
Blaye & Bourg:
Northern right bank areas producing accessible, fruity red wines.
Entre-Deux-Mers & Regional Appellations
Entre-Deux-Mers:
Located between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers; dedicated mostly to fresh, dry white wines.
Bordeaux AOC & Bordeaux Supérieur:
Catch-all regional designations for basic red, white, and rosé wines.
Crémant de Bordeaux:
Dedicated to sparkling wines made via traditional methods.
Bordeaux the City
Built on the Gironde river very near the Atlantic coast, Bordeaux is the 6th most populous city in France and is one of the wine capitals of the world. It is also an international tourist destination for its architectural and cultural heritage with more than 362 historic monuments, making it, after Paris, the city with the most listed or registered monuments in France. The train from Paris will take you directly into Bordeaux's city center.
What to See and Do in Saint Émilion
1. Wine Tasting
With so many world class wines, this is absolutely the main reason to visit the Bordeaux region, and Saint Èmilion has some of the best wineries showcasing the incredible Right Bank Merlot and Cabernet Franc wines.
Prestigious Wineries
Château Pavie
One of the most renowned estates in all of Bordeaux.
First Grand Cru Classé A.
Luxurious visit with spectacular vineyard views.
Generally requires advance booking.
Château Troplong Mondot
Premier Grand Cru Classé estate with a strong wine reputation.
Michelin-starred restaurant Les Belles Perdrix on site.
Luxury accommodations at the estate.
About 1.5 km from Saint‑Émilion, making it a very easy taxi or e-bike ride from town.
Château La Gaffelière
Premier Grand Cru Classé estate and one of Saint Émilion's most respected producers.
Easily accessible from the village and known for welcoming tastings.
Great choice if you're seeking a truly prestigious label without excessive logistics.
Other Top Wineries Near Saint Émilion
Château Montlabert
One of the easiest premium visits to arrange.
Less than 5 minutes from the village center.
Modern tasting facilities, beautiful gardens, and consistently excellent visitor reviews.
Ideal if you only have time for one château visit.
Château Soutard
Historic Grand Cru Classé estate right on the edge of Saint Émilion.
Offers professional tours and tastings in a classic château setting.
Convenient to combine with a walk through the medieval village.
Château Villemaurine
Famous for its impressive underground limestone quarries beneath the property.
Excellent for visitors looking for more than just a tasting.
Very close to town and easy to reach on foot.
2. Take in the Views from within this Old Village
It feels that no matter where you are in Saint Èmilion, the sights are spectacular! Whether from the Place du Marché (Market Square), or from the Tour de Roy (King's Tower), or from a local restaurant, or from a vineyard, the vistas over the old clay roofs and cobblestone streets of the distant vineyards and countryside are absolutely worth dedicated moments.
Place du Marché
Situated in the historic heart of Saint Émilion, right in front of the church's Gothic portal and towering 68-meter bell tower.
Lined with historic limestone buildings, outdoor cafe seating, and local wine shops, it acts as the lively social hub of the medieval village.
The square offers lovely vantage points overlooking the surrounding rooftops and distant vineyards.
Tour de Roy
The medieval tower in the center of Saint Émilion.
Offers a 360° perspective over the terracotta rooftops, church steeples, and surrounding vineyards.
Classic postcard view.
Château Villemaurine
Famous for its impressive underground limestone quarries beneath the property.
Excellent for visitors looking for more than just a tasting.
Very close to town and easy to reach on foot.
3. Indulge in Exquisite Cuisine
The cheese, the baguettes, and the pastries! These simple pleasures can be found anywhere and everywhere in France. It's what makes going to France so delightful. Maybe it's the butter they use in everything that makes all the food so darn good and as a result has us watching our waistlines? Head to the local grocery or specialty food shop and find an amazing and sometimes exotic selection of cheeses and meats.
Now take these pleasures and amplify them into culinary delights by heading either to a bistro for the local fare or a Michelin rated restaurant for even more mouth-watering goodness. There's no doubt the French know how to cook and the Bordeaux region is no exception. Throw in some world class Bordeaux wine and you've got yourself a delicious meal that doesn't necessarily have to cost an arm and a leg. Do yourself a favor and plan for lunch and/or dinner out. Savor and enjoy!
Bubbly Tip: If you've had a nice meal, you can add a few euros to round up the amount to show your appreciation for efficient or excellent service, but a tip is never expected as a service charge is already included in the bill. However, if you had an excellent experience, in particular at a fine restaurant, then feel free to add an additional 5% to 10% as gratuity.
4. Explore the Churches ("Églises")
We think it's some sort of unwritten rule that every town in France, no matter how small, has a church. Just follow the signs to city center and voilà, there it is! But then the amazing thing is the church is likely ancient and magnificent to boot. You never know how gorgeous it will be until you go in. Don't be afraid to walk in, the doors are always open. Take in the stained glass windows and the high vaulted ceilings and imagine the time and effort required to build each of these majestic structures. It never ceases to amaze Bubbly Tourist!
Perhaps the most prominent church in Saint Émilion seen from anywhere in the village is the monolithic church and its bell tower. The monolithic church is an underground church dug in the early 12th century and is the largest monolithic church in Europe. Access is strictly by guided tour and is booked through the Tourist Office.
5. Visit the City of Bordeaux
Bordeaux's cultural heritage with its more than 362 historic monuments, is less than an hour's drive from Saint Émilion. This makes it absolutely worth visiting for at least a day. Make your way to the Old Town and see 15 of the city's most relevant landmarks.
Where to stay in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux's Medieval Wine Village
Bubbly Tourist recommends staying in Saint Émilion for at least two nights and either in or near the city of Bordeaux, preferably in a château for at least a couple of nights.
Hôtel de Pavie in Saint Émilion
On our last trip to Saint Émilion, Bubbly Tourist stayed in the stunning Relais & Chateaux hotel, Hôtel de Pavie. This magnificent hotel is a luxury hotel with beautiful private gardens and a Michelin 2 star restaurant in a historic building smack dab in the heart of the old village. It also allows private access to additional dining right next to the Bell Tower. The location couldn't be better, and this hotel is highly recommended!
As a reminder, Bubbly Tourist is not compensated for any recommendations we make.
Bubbly Tip: We highly recommend you check out the Bubbly Tourist's process for choosing a hotel. It will help you quickly narrow down choices, and ensure that you a high quality hotel that meets your specific needs.
La Chartreuse Haut-Bailly in Pessac-Léognan
Formerly known as Château Le Pape, this Bed & Breakfast is in a renovated 18th century château in the heart of Pessac-Léognan only 30 minutes south by car to Bordeaux's city center. La Chartreuse Haut-Bailly is surrounded by great wine houses like Château Haut-Bailly (one of the leading Cru Classé estates of Pessac-Léognan) and Château Smith Haut LaFitte (among the most prestigious estates in Graves). It has only a handful of rooms, so if you're lucky like us you might get the entire chateau to yourself. One of the features Bubbly Tourist especially appreciated was the wine room which includes a magnificent selection of cellared wines from which you can remove and charge on the honor system to your room.
As a reminder, Bubbly Tourist is not compensated for any recommendations we make.
Les Sources de Caudalie
Les Sources de Caudalie is a five star hotel with 2 star Michelin restaurant is in the heart of the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a Grand Cru Classé of Graves. It is only 30 minutes by car south of Bordeaux's city center. It boasts itself as the only Palace in Bordeaux. Although Bubbly Tourist did not actually stay here, we learned of it from our French friends who live in the city of Bordeaux. They come here for the spa and the restaurants, so we chose to indulge ourselves for a delightful lunch in their less beautiful restaurant, La Table du Lavoir. It's an indoor / outdoor venue that prides itself on seasonal produce and heritage vegetables and a wine list which features Château Smith Haut Lafitte at reasonable prices as well as other regional wines.
In Search of Bubbly and Bordeaux
In an ongoing segment by Bubbly Tourist, we always search for a location - if not the best location - to have some champagne wherever we go.
Finding the best champagne in Bordeaux is an inherently difficult question given you can have champagne in virtually every restaurant and wine bar in France. Bordeaux does have it's own sparkling wine, Crémant de Bordeaux, so try it when you can. But instead of finding the best champagne while in one of the world's most renowned wine regions, we've focused your attention in this section on some of the wine experiences in Bordeaux but outside of Saint Émilion that Bubbly Tourist found most satisfying.
La Table du Lavoir or La Grand’Vigne
An excellent option for champagne as well as a good selection of Bordeaux wine, is La Table du Lavoir or the two Michelin star restaurant, La Grand’Vigne. As discussed above, both sit within the hotel, Les Sources de Caudalie and have an excellent selection of wine and food. The hotel is south of Bordeaux near Martillac and is found in the middle of the Château Smith Haut LaFitte vineyards and therefore has a large selection of their amazing wines as well as other wines and Champagne.
Château Pichon Longueville Baron
North of Bordeaux on the Left Bank in Pauillac sits the prestigious estate of Château Pichon Longueville Baron, commonly known as Pichon Baron. Founded in 1694, the estate originally shared land with neighbor Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pichon Lalande). It is a named Second Grand Cru Classé in the official 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Château Pichon Baron is the flagship grand vin, and is a classic, powerful Bordeaux blend typically dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with a smaller portion of Merlot. It is known for great aging potential. Its Second and Third Wines also produced by the estate are: Les Griffons de Pichon Baron and Les Tourelles de Longueville. The estate and tasting room are modern and absolutely beautiful. You must book in advance and can get a private visit.
Château Haut Bailly
Located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation in Léognan, Château Haut-Bailly is situated just south of the city of Bordeaux along the Left Bank. Château Haut-Bailly was officially classified as a Grand Cru Classé in the 1953 (and finalized 1959) Classification of Graves for its exceptional red wine. FYI, top-tier estates south of Bordeaux were left out of the 1855 hierarchy, so the region created its own dedicated system. Private tours and tastings must be booked in advance.
Bubbly Tourist Bon Voyage!
