Top Things to do in Saint-Emilion
10 Things to Do in Saint-Emilion That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Saint-Emilion, France including Chateau Cantenac, Chateau Beaurang, Chateau Laniote, Chateau La Croizille, Saint-Emilion Monolithic Church, Chateau Guadet, Chateau Coutet, Clocher de l'Eglise Monolithe, Tourism Office Saint Emilion, Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret.
Restaurants in Saint-Emilion
1. Chateau Cantenac
Overall Ratings
5 based on 499 reviews
Nicole Roskam-Brunot and her sons, 4th generation, perpetuate a family passion for elaborating great wines of Saint Emilion. Our philosophy is about obtaining the highest quality, authenticity, terroir and vintage expression on each vintage.Nicole Roskam-Brunot likes to say that, “Each vintage is a new melody with multiple variations.”Our engagement : to compose great fine wines ! Tours and tastings available by appointment only! Call or e-email to make a reservation. Visites et degustations sur RDV uniquement! Merci de nous appeler ou nous envoyer un mail pour prendre un RDV.
Reviewed By TomStockholm - Stockholm
We visited two years ago, and found it so nice - both the vineyard, the wine and the excellent and charming tour. Now, 2017 autumn, the second visit - this time with friends, and we all found it so nice again. This is a family run estate, not to big, not to "posh", but instead - with lot´s of charm and fun facts. AJ who is guiding in excellent English (you will understand why when there), is really doing a great job. With a twinkle in her eye!
We are now staying 5 months every year in Saint Emilion - and we have visited (in total over the years) around 160 vineyards. We know wine, a little.
If we divide them into 3 Groups - Family estate, Middle and Corporate owned and finally "The big dragons", this one is a: Family estate. In that Group we can highly recommend Chateau Cantenac. You will be guided by a Family Member (not some student from Bordeaux wine school, just Reading from the chateau´s notes), you will have a possibily to ask detailed questions about winemaking, you will see how an small estate is run, and you will have a guided wine tasting that is lovely - all in a very personal and warm, family setting.
And finally - wine from Saint Emilion is usually good wine! Not always but often a little overpriced. This - Chateau Cantenac - is not. This is a really Classic Saint Emilion wine, at a really, really good price. Value for Money. (and No, I´not paid to say this!)
/ Tom & Mikael
2. Chateau Beaurang
Overall Ratings
5 based on 107 reviews
A tour in the vineyard, the cellar and the wooden barrels cellar explaining the culture of the vines and the wine-making process. It is made by Claude PUYOL or Delphine PUYOL 3rd and 4th generation of the family PUYOL working at Château Beaurang. It ends by a wine tasting of their 3 different wines : Joseph d'Aragon, Château Beaurang and Château des Jouvencelles.
Reviewed By HML-Swe - Stockholm, Sweden
We had booked a tour at this chateau in English but unfortunately the daughter was sick when we arrived. The father took care of us instead, his English was ok and he really tried to explain everything to us in the best way he could....MoreSorry about my absence but it seems that my father made a good job! thank you for your message.
3. Chateau Laniote
Overall Ratings
5 based on 242 reviews
Chateau Laniote has been in the same family for almost two centuries. Arnaud de la Filolie, assisted by his oenologist wife, Florence Ribereau-Gayon has been in charge since 1989. The vineyard spread over 12 acres at the North-West of Saint-Emilion. The tour consists in visiting the cellars: vatcellar, storage room, barrels cellar, watching a little video about vinifications and tasting the wine. Guided tours by appointment.
Reviewed By thecapitaltraveler - Washington DC, District of Columbia
Read about this experience and ended up here on a van tour from the tourism office. Enjoyed the wine and hospitality! I believe this walkable from town. While the presentation may by light-hearted, do not miss that the wine is classified grand cru classé and...MoreThank you so much for your notification. I hope you enjoyed your trip. See you next time for the tasting of a new vintage ! I wish you an Happy New Year ! Arnaud
4. Chateau La Croizille
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Come and discover our modern cellar that meets all technical requirements and its tasting room overhanging the valley offering an exceptional 360° view of the vineyard. The tour includes: Château Tour Baladoz, Château La Croizille, tasting of 3 wines.
Reviewed By Steve A - Merritt Island, Florida
My wife and I did a tour then wine tasting in Chateau La Croizille with four other couples we all enjoyed not only the wine but the hostess, tour, facility and beautiful viewing. Highly recommend
5. Saint-Emilion Monolithic Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
A HIDDEN HERITAGE, UNIQUE IN EUROPE In this 45 minutes long tour, your guide makes you discover Saint-Emilion’s underground heritage. From the monk Emilion’s story, between truth and legend, to the carving of the surprising monolithic church, walk through several centuries of history. Your guide, only holder of the keys, opens the monuments’ doors and shares their secrets ! Observe the details of the Trinity Chapel’s paintings and discover the mysterious Catacombs and the Hermitage… A historical summary within four essential monuments.
Reviewed By PilotMichael - Pasadena, California
You can see this church for miles, throughout the Saint Emilion appellation. To get up close is even better. It's in the middle of the village and you can walk right up to its walls. If you'd like to get inside, the Saint Emilion Tourism Office gives tours inside the church. And it has a huge underground Church that you definitely want to see.
6. Chateau Guadet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
Bought in 1844 by our ancestors. It's one of the only 2 winery to be in the heart of the village. We still use the quarries under, to stock the wines. The wine is sold, we bring it back up and Each bottle is clean by hand and the labels are also put by hand. The tour is done by the owner himself GUY-PETRUS LIGNAC or by his son Vincent (in charge of the vineyard and winemaking) The Tour take about 1h, included the winery (tank room and barrel cellar) + the wine cellar underground and a tasting of 2 wines with explanation
Reviewed By Progressive T - Tumbulgum, Australia
Unlike Australian cellar doors, visitors must make a reservation to take a wine tour and tasting in Bordeaux. As our trip to Bordeaux was spontaneous, we’d made no Reservations however being off peak season, we were sure that the rules could be broken!
The Manager at Chateau Barrail were we were staying overnight made a few calls and we were very fortunate to join a small tour and tasting at Chateau Gaudet in the heart of the old town in St Emilion.
Vincent, the winemaker lived five years in Australian working for various vineyards including top end vineyard - Voyager and Mitchell. Vincent also gained winemaking skills in the USA and Chile. After travelling and working for ten years abroad, Vincent returned to the family business and is now in charge of all facets of the estate, including the wine-making.
He and his father Guy-Petrus take the one-hour + tours which was both educational and informative; the winemaker was very passionate about the industry and he was a pleasure to listen to.
Chateau Gaudet became ‘viticulture’ certified organic in 2010, and bio-dynamic in 2014, becoming the second bio dynamic winery in the St Emilion region.
Wine production is done totally by hand just like it was done centuries ago. The Chateau has an extensive limestone quarry located directly under the premises. Wandering through the limestone tunnels was a fascinating experience, all the wine vintages are stored in small limestone alcoves, depicted only by a small black chalkboard with the details of the year of production.
The vineyard is situated 50 metres north of the village of Saint Emilion and planted with 80% of Merlot and 20% of Cabernet Franc. The size of the estate is 5.50 hectares (13.6 acres) and mostly clay and sand on the limestone plateau of St Emilion.
We tasted two Chateau Gaudet wines and were very impressed with Grand Cru Classe 2007. Unfortunately, freight to Australia is too expensive so we had to be satisfied with our one bottle purchase.
We look forward to drinking our signed bottle of wine on our return to Australia.
7. Chateau Coutet
Overall Ratings
5 based on 101 reviews
In the DAVID BEAULIEU Family for over 400 years, the 13th and 14th generation combines his passion and dedication to Chateau Coutet to produce a Grand Cru of Saint-Emilion wine in the greatest respect for its environment (organic farming). Beauty of the land, biodiversity, discussions, discovery and tasting are to Chateau Coutet to pleased you
Reviewed By Vicky-McG - San Diego
As mentioned previously, this vignoble has been in the family for many generations and they are all organic. It is quite fascinating to learn the different waves and hardships they must go through in order 2 sustained in all organic process, right down to protecting the precious Vines from harsh weather.
We were taken to the old cave (not a cave, a cellar) which was special and given a pretty nice tasting. The grounds are needed there are ducks and geese and very sweet dog. We saw the Vats and barrels is in most every door.
I am giving this 4 stars out of 5 which is reserved for our favorite tours in st. Emilion . So this is considered still a good grade but not the best. The tour was okay lasting about an hour. Unfortunately Juliet was interrupted by no less than 5 cell phone calls, which she took, sometimes leaving us alone. That is not a big problem and I understand she is probably in big demand but we felt there was a lot of distraction there and an attempt to get us through the tour as expediently as possible.
We could purchase some bottles of wine as they were pretty nice and really at a reasonable price.
8. Clocher de l'Eglise Monolithe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By Gabriel H - Bellaire, Texas, United States
IN the heart of St. Emilion, there is a monumental church carved out of the rock; hence its name, the Monolithic church. It was carved out starting in the 12th century and the tower on top can be seen for miles around. If you climb the 196 steps, the beauty of the St. Emilion region and its vineyards will open up to you. The church and its tower have suffered the effects of age, the weather and the continued infiltration of water in the limestone, as well as the neglect and abuse throughout history. While it remains consecrated, it is only open to the public on certain holidays or regional celebrations. It can be visited as part of guided tours. Inquire in the Tourism information office.
9. Tourism Office Saint Emilion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 879 reviews
The Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion (including the town and the territory of the 8 villages united under the authority of the medieval Jurade) was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage in 1999 to preserve, restore and share this outstanding heritage! Covered in vines and bordered with rivers, along woody slopes and picturesque roads, the Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion stretches out over 75 km² around a particularly well-preserved medieval town and is the ideal place to stay. Only 30 minutes from Bordeaux and 1h from Bergerac or Périgueux, Saint-Emilion is the perfect starting point to tour around the vineyards of Bordeaux and the Perigord district. Legend has it that the town bears the name of a Breton monk that performed miracles while living an exemplary life. In order to retire from social life, he settled in 750 in a natural grotto, which can still be visited nowadays in the heart of the town!
10. Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
The Lannoye family bought its first property in the Bordeaux region in 2001. The family owns two properties in Puisseguin-Saint Emilion and in Castillon-Cote de Bordeaux. They now wish to fully invest in the development of wine tourism in Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret. Acquired in 2007, Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret is a small property of 5 hectares, located in Saint-Emilion. It benefits from the appellation Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. Built in 1814, the Chateau was recently renovated. Its tower makes the castle very easy to recognize.
Reviewed By Pam C - St. Petersburg, Florida
Was a very fun and interesting experience. The tour of the Chateau was very well done and very informative. Just enough info. The cooking class was great. The chef was a lot of fun, very talented and made the experience delightful. The lunch was beautifully served with very nice wine pairings. Would definitely recommend,
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