Saint-Emilion: Day Trips and Tours from Bordeaux

Known for producing some of the most delicious wines in France, Saint-Emilion is filled with pristine vineyards and a plethora of wineries. With a history of wine-making that dates back to Roman times, the UNESCO-listed village is the place to come if you're interested in the tipple.

The medieval town itself is also worthy of a look, with its cobbled streets, towering spires and quaint buildings. With less than an hour of travel time between the two destinations, you can easily arrange a Saint-Emilion day trip from Bordeaux.

You will find below all you the information you need about Saint-Emilion, a lush destination for day trips from Bordeaux.

How to get to Saint-Emilion from Bordeaux?

Saint-Emilion is located within the Bordeaux wine region in the west of France. It sits along the bank of the Dordogne River and is approximately 50 kilometers from the city of Bordeaux.

From Bordeaux to Saint-Emilion by car

It takes under an hour to make the journey to Saint-Emilion by car.

You'll drive in a southeasterly direction out of the city, following the river, which you'll cross at the Pont François Mitterrand bridge. From there, you'll continue along the N230 until junction 26, where you'll change onto the N89 and follow signs for Saint-Emilion.

From Bordeaux to Saint-Emilion by public transport

The jaunt to Saint-Emilion by public transport takes just over half an hour.

You can catch a direct train from Bordeaux's St. Jean station, and trains leave frequently throughout the day.

Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Bordeaux's Quinconces Orléans bus stop, which takes an hour to reach the village.

Guided tour to Saint-Emilion from Bordeaux

Another way to see the UNESCO World Heritage site is by taking a guided excursion to Saint-Emilion. You'll meet your guide at an easy-to-reach landmark in Bordeaux around 9:30 AM and return to the city between 4 and 9 hours later.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Saint-Emilion from Bordeaux?

While all Saint-Emilion day tours vary, they often follow a similar itinerary. After meeting your tour group, you'll travel out of the hustle and bustle of Bordeaux, and towards the rolling hills of the French countryside.

On arrival in the Saint-Emilion region, you'll make a stop at a renowned wine estate, where you'll be guided around the premises. After learning about the production process, you'll have the opportunity to taste two or three local wines, produced on-site.

Continuing on, you'll take a break for lunch, which often happens in the magnificent setting of a vineyard.  After devouring a feast of local goods, you'll visit a second winery where you can compare the flavors to your first tasting session.

Once you've become somewhat of a wine expert, you'll take to the village streets for a walking tour. You'll see Saint-Emilion's medieval buildings and learn the history behind the idyllic town.

You'll then travel the short distance back to Bordeaux where your Saint-Emilion day trip ends.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Saint-Emilion?

A day trip to Saint-Emilion is a wine lovers paradise, and you can choose to experience the region in a number of ways.

Wine tasting tours to Saint-Emilion from Bordeaux

Arriving at the charming UNESCO-listed region of Saint-Emilion, you'll visit a family-run wine estate. After wandering through its cellar and vat room to understand the process, you'll participate in a locally-produced wine tasting session.

Continuing on, you'll travel to another winery, where you'll be blessed with sweeping views of immaculate vineyards. Lastly, you'll take a guided walking tour of the town that dates back to the paleolithic era.

Guided bike tours to Saint-Emilion from Bordeaux

Alternatively, hop on an E-bike and see the wine haven on a bicycle tour. As a small group numbering eight or fewer guests, you'll cycle out to two different wineries to sample some of the finest local tipples.

You'll experience the region up close with a gourmet picnic nestled in a vineyard, before participating in a guided amble through the village of Saint-Emilion.

Day trip to Saint-Emilion plus Médoc from Bordeaux

You'll begin your day of wine tasting with a scenic drive through the French countryside to Saint-Emilion. You'll head to a wine estate for a guided tour, as well as a delectable wine tasting session, before strolling through the medieval village.

Continuing on, you'll travel back to Bordeaux for a picnic of various local treats, before journeying to the Médoc area. Here, you'll enjoy another wine tasting, where you can identify the subtle differences in the grapes of the two wine regions.

How much does a tour to Saint-Emilion from Bordeaux cost?

Saint-Emilion day tours that focus on wine tasting cost between €70 and €140. Those on the lower end of this range last around 4 hours, while those on the higher end last approximately 8 hours. You can expect several wine tastings to be included in the price.

E-bike Saint-Emilion day tours cost between €130 and €150, and include lunch, as well as wine tastings and bike rental.

If you want to visit two of France's most notorious wine regions — Saint-Emilion and Médoc — you can expect to pay around €160. This includes visits to three wineries with a tasting session at each.

What will you see and do on a Saint-Emilion day trip from Bordeaux?

Saint-Emilion has a rich and varied history, with evidence of life residing in what is now a thriving village, for over 35,000 years. During the second century, the ancient Romans began to plant vineyards in the bountiful wine region, and the fourth century is when the first wines were created here.

The town is named after a monk — Emilion — who journeyed to the town and settled there in the eighth century. Several monks joined him in the village to ignite the vineyard's mass wine production. The village's buildings were constructed during the middle ages, giving Saint-Emilion its picturesque look that draws many visitors in today.

Saint-Emilion is particularly famous for its red wines, which are made from the Merlot and Cabernet Franc varieties of grapes. These fruits create a rich taste and the wines often have notes of chocolate, and berries.

The area was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 because of its deep history and flourishing vineyards, which have stood the test of time.

The wine region of Saint-Emilion is just over 25 square kilometers. However, despite its relatively small size, there are over 80 wineries in the area, producing almost 2.5 million cases of wine every year.

As well as its many wine estates, Saint-Emilion is also home to several historical landmarks, such as the Monolithic Church of Saint-Emilion. This 12th-century place of worship is built underground and is the largest monolithic church in Europe.

When is the best time to visit Saint-Emilion?

The best time to plan a day trip to Saint-Emilion is during the summer months when temperatures reach a pleasant 27 degrees Celsius. However, the height of summer is also extremely touristic. If you wish to avoid the crowds, travel during September.

Travel tips

• Avoid traveling to Saint-Emilion at the beginning of April, when primeur week takes place. During this time, wineries are busy hosting wine traders and often can't accommodate tourists.
• Wineries usually have a smart-casual dress code. While most attire is fine, avoid wearing sports clothing on your Saint-Emilion day trip.
• Most tours include lunch. If you have any dietary requirements or allergies, inform your operator upon booking.