Saint Emilion: Wine Tasting & Medieval Village Half-Day from Bordeaux

Saint Emilion's cellar tastings are balanced by walks on its steep streets

You taste red wines in a château with a guide explaining the terroir, then wander the UNESCO medieval village of Saint Emilion on your own for an hour or two, climbing its steep cobbled streets and walking the old city walls. Transport from Bordeaux and an English-speaking guide are included. Plan for moderate walking on uneven ground.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Saint Emilion and wine tasting

• Travel from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion
• Visit grand cru estate or Pomerol winery
• Taste St Emilion red wines
• Explore medieval village and city walls
• Climb steep cobblestone streets
• Return to Bordeaux

The experience

The minivan picks you up in Bordeaux and you're rolling toward Saint Emilion in under an hour. The village sits on a hillside, medieval and compact, and the first stop is a grand cru estate or a carefully selected Pomerol winery where a knowledgeable guide walks you through the reds: how they're made, what the soil does, why this particular plot tastes like it does. You taste as you learn, glass in hand, and the guide doesn't rush it. No snacks during the tasting (that's how the French keep the wine's flavor clean), so eat a proper breakfast before you leave Bordeaux.

After the château, you have free time in the village itself. The cobblestone streets climb steeply, and the original city walls are still there. You can walk along them, duck into small shops, or just sit on a corner and watch the light change on the stone. Saint Emilion was named after a Breton monk in the eighth century whose followers planted the first vines here, and it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site now, which means it's preserved but also genuinely lived-in. The steep streets and uneven ground mean good walking shoes matter. This isn't a flat stroll.

The group stays small, eight people maximum in the minivan, and the whole thing runs about half a day, which is exactly enough time to taste, walk, and not feel rushed. You're back in Bordeaux with the afternoon still ahead of you.

What’s included

Wine tasting session in a grand cru château or selected Pomerol winery with a professional English-speaking guide, walking tour of the medieval village of Saint Emilion with free time to explore the cobblestone streets and city walls, and round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan from Bordeaux.

Before you book

Lasts 4h, runs every day at 09:00 and 14:00, from € 95 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Ophorus

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to taste serious Bordeaux reds and see a UNESCO village without arranging your own transport from the city. The steep cobbled streets mean you need moderate fitness and proper walking shoes, but that's what keeps the village feeling authentic instead of sanitized.

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Top questions

How long is the drive from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion?

About an hour each way by minivan.

What wines do you taste?

Red wines from a grand cru estate in Saint Emilion or a selected Pomerol winery, guided by the tour guide.

Is food included?

No. Snacks are not provided during wine tastings in France to preserve the wine's flavor. Eat a good breakfast or lunch before the tour.

How much free time do you have in the village?

A couple of hours to walk the cobblestone streets, explore the city walls, and see the village at your own pace.

What's the group size?

Maximum 8 people per minivan.

Are children allowed?

No, this is an adults-only tour. Children under 18 are not permitted.

Do I need good fitness for this tour?

Moderate fitness is recommended. The village has steep, cobbled streets and uneven ground, so comfortable walking shoes are essential.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, transport by air-conditioned minivan from Bordeaux is included.