7 Steps to Ensure The Best 24 hours In Saint Émilion!

*Vineyards as far as the eye can see, Saint Emilion, France*

Saint Émilion is a delightful medieval city in the Bordeaux region of France famous for its red wine, charming scenery, and Romanesque religious architecture. Its history of winemaking dates as far back as the 2nd century when the Romans planted grapes in the area. Today, the town and the surrounding vineyards are UNESCO world heritage sites and continue to produce world renowned wine. Ever since I took an intense Wines and Spirits course in college, I had wanted to visit this region of France. I couldn't believe almost 20 years later, here I was experiencing it in real life! Follow our (obviously very important) steps below to ensure an amazing visit to Saint Émilion.

Step 1: Wander around the Picturesque Village & UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saint Émilion

After tossing our luggage at our bed and breakfast, we couldn’t wait to spend time wandering around the charming village. It truly feels like stepping back in time.

“Located 40 minutes from Bordeaux and easy to access, Saint Émilion is an extraordinary medieval city which opens its doors all year round to adventurers, wine lovers or simply curious people. A city steeped in history perched on a rocky promontory, Saint Émilion and its vineyard draw their originality from the limestone which has shaped their identity. This is evidenced by the presence of 200 km of underground galleries which provided the limestone necessary for the construction of several buildings in the region, particularly in Bordeaux.

A harmonious work of Nature and Man, the landscapes of Saint Émilion are unique testimonies of History. In 1999, and for the first time in the world, a wine landscape was promoted to the rank of World Heritage sites by UNESCO , which considers Saint Émilion as “ a remarkable example of a historic wine landscape which survived intact ” and which continues its activity today.” -https://www.bordeaux-tourisme.com/

*It is almost unreal walking through the cobblestone streets of Saint* *Émilion. It feels as though you’ve stepped back in time.*

A stroll through the main square complete with Monolithic Church of Saint Émilion views

Step 2: Frolic Through A Historic French Vineyard

How can one come to any wine country in the world and not run through one its beautiful rows of vines?! The vineyards hug Saint Emilion from every angle, so there’s no shortage of finding a favorite vineyard to stroll or run or dance through!

Step 3: Do Not Miss the Sunsets Here!

I repeat. Do not miss the sunsets here. They are magical. Walk through town, walk out of town, wander through a vineyard. All at sunset. It is entirely worth it.

Step 4: Tour the Monolithic Church of Saint Émilion

Arriving in Saint Émilion, the most impressive church that stands out from the upper town is the Monolithic Church of Saint Émilion. The church was an incredible underground feat, carved out of the rock over three centuries. Initially we had only admired the church from up close, afar, and all around town, but when our B&B host served us breakfast the next morning, he mentioned the beauty and significance so we decided not to miss the opportunity. We found ourselves on the French speaking tour since the English tour was already full, and although we couldn’t understand what they were saying, we were given a laminated card to follow along in English. So we didn’t stick out like a sore thumb, we belly laughed every time the French did, pretending we were in on the jokes. Unfortunately no photography is allowed inside so you’ll just have to go see for yourself. Or visit this website…

Step 5: Don Matching B&B Hats & Then Wine Taste!

If you have even an hour to spare, one of the most convenient places to taste in the heart of Saint Émilion is Clos de Menuts. There is no vineyard to see as it is just a store and cellar location, but descending into the monolithic cellar where thousands of bottles of wines are stored was an absolute experience! We could not believe the size of this underground wine cellar. It was impressive. And it is absolutely free to visit! We also bought a few bottles of their red wine and were blown away with the bold flavor and taste.

Step 6: Don’t forget to try the famous Macarons

There is no shortage of macaron shops around Saint Emilion, and we honestly didn’t have much interest in buying any cookies to try. But we continued to hear others talk about how we must. So we sought out the macaron shop that is apparently still using a 400-year-old recipe. By macaron, this doesn't mean the tiny, colorful sandwich cookies you see in the U.S. and other places, but rather flatter discs of soft, almond-flavored cookies. They are unmatched. You can by some to eat at the moment or in packages for later. I must say they melt in your mouth, go well with wine, and you’ll have a hard time not finishing an entire sheet of cookies in one sitting.

*The macarons come in a pack of 12 and stuck to paper. Though they look like regular cookies, these are mouthwateringly soft with a tasty almond flavor*

Step 7: StaY The Night :)

We were lucky enough to find the most delightful bed and breakfast right in the heart of Saint Emilion. Maison Colline is a charming house with warm hospitality and a small number of updated bedrooms complete with either views of the city or of the inner courtyard. The rooms were full of character and charm, and our breakfast table the following morning was filled with French pastries, hot coffee (and hot chocolate), freshly squeezed orange juice, and yogurt swirled with local honey.

Chip and I had a beautiful town view at Maison Colline

Back to Biarritz!

After saying goodbye to Saint Emilion, we headed back to Biarritz to finish out our incredible three weeks on the Basque Coast with the culmination quickly approaching! We were looking forward to the annual festival (and largest party in all of France) Fetes de Bayonne to begin. Stay tuned for more…

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