Enchanting Saint-Emilion

Saint-Émilion is like something out of a fairytale! This charming, world-renowned wine-making village in France can be summed up in one word: enchanting!

Saint-Émilion is nestled within petite stone walls, surrounded by lush green hills and expansive vineyards; it's a genuine escape from the everyday.

By night, Saint-Émilion is a quiet, peaceful village home to just over 2000 residents. But as dawn breaks, it transforms, welcoming three times its visitor population each day. This surge is no surprise, as travellers from near and far are drawn to its magical atmosphere, making it the most sought-after destination in the region.

Join us as we delve deeper into the allure of Saint-Émilion, exploring the timeless charm that makes this village a true fairytale getaway.

To secure a parking spot near the city gates, arriving early is essential, as minimal traffic is allowed, leaving the streets primarily clear for visitors.

We were eager to immerse ourselves in the heart of the town, surrounded by its historic village landscape and the timeless vistas of the vineyards. We discovered Logis des Cordeliers, an 18th-century stone house in the heart of Saint-Émilion. A charming, original home offering a grand room with views not just of the church spire and the fort but also unmatched views of Saint-Émilion, perfect for capturing the golden hour.

With two nights booked, we fully immersed ourselves in the fairytale village. The first stop was a newly opened wine bar called Wine Bar à Saint-Emilion by Vignobles et Châteaux. Upon entering, we were warmly greeted by the lovely team and were soon perched up on a window seat with a unique view of the cobblestone alleys and tucked away from the bustling tourist traffic, enjoying a grand cru champagne and sampling one of the best wines we have ever had, a Chassagne Montrachet… thank you, Marie, for spoiling us (€500 a bottle) and for the very insightful French wine knowledge you shared with us.

Following the perfect introduction, we strolled through the cobblestone alleys. We were soon sampling more delectable Grand Cru at Sous La Robe, another beautiful wine bar tucked up amongst the sandstone alleys. The lads were full of energy and smiles; we couldn’t pass up the fantastic cheese selection when in France! We loved the bar and the local vibe it presents, a nice escape from the intensity of the visitors.

The evening saw us sneak into an overfilled pizzeria, where we were fortunate to score a takeaway pizza. However, they were initially reluctant due to the heavy backlog, but the waitress was incredibly kind and took pity upon us, and snuck our order through!! Thank you.

If visiting Saint-Émilion, don’t risk your dining experiences. Be sure to book well in advance; the little village struggles to cater for all, and everything is well and truly booked out each night.

Sunday morning, we took to the pleasant, sleepy streets to explore the town's magic before the day-trippers arrived at 11 am; it was peaceful and presented us with the true beauty of this stunning village.

We didn’t take lunch by chance; we booked using our trusty Michelin Guide app, L’Huitrier Pie, a quaint sandstone dining establishment with a relaxing patio to enjoy the afternoon. The sun was shining just enough, and we spent the day taking advantage of reading the never-ending wine lists, accompanied by a tasting menu with dishes that excited the palate, all served by the most passionate and enthusiastic staff. We were impressed again and would be back here in a heartbeat!

Following our lunch and copious amounts of wine, where to next, of course, a visit to our new favourite wine bar we visited upon arriving to farewell our new friends and enjoy the golden hour on their patio, basking in our complete awe of Saint-Émilion and feeling grateful to our dear friends for the recommendation whilst we were in Spain. The beauty of not planning while travelling is that you always have the opportunity to change your destinations at the last minute.

The evening was spent watching the sunset as golden hour was upon us from our room to capture those magical moments of the fairytale village and all the goodness it holds.

Before hitting the road on Monday morning, we took advantage of strolling the peaceful streets and loved the quietness; it was the perfect time with a coffee in hand to continue making memories and taking them home with us.

Saint-Émilion, if it isn’t on your list, we highly recommend an escape to this fairytale village. We hardly scratched the surface; it is steeped in history with centuries-old underground churches, buildings and homes and an abundance of wineries, wine bars, cellars and world-class dining establishments all moments away!

Date visited: 7 Aug 2023