Planning a short trip to St Émilion? It’s way more than just a name added to some of the most finest bottles of fine red wine, so you should. You can read more about why I go to St Emilion here. Here’s a short list of St Emilion hotels and some suggests for things to do.
Above all, it’s a UNESCO-listed medieval village perched above a green-ribboned sea of vineyards – and its only about a 45 minute drive east of Bordeaux. Cobbled lanes wind up- and down-hill, past honey-coloured stone houses. Wine bars spill out onto tiny squares and hidden courtyards, and beneath it all sits a 12th-century church carved from a single block of limestone.
This guide is a compact list of my recommended places to stay (in the old town for wine-bars and bistros, or further out among the vineyards if you’re firmly in your Grande Siecle era and looking for more of a château experience), some things to do (with and without wine), and the practical details for both getting there and planning your trip. I’ve linked my top hotel picks below so you can book direct.
Affiliate Disclosure
This post doesn’t actually contain affiliate links. If you book through them, I won’t earn a penny. They are my gift to you 😉
Table of Contents
Best Areas to Stay on your St-Émilion trip
St-Émilion hotels in the old town
The old town is St-Émilion at its most mediaeval and atmospheric. Wine shops, coffee spots, patissieries and restaurants are all within just a few minutes walk along (mostly smooth) cobbled streets. If this is your first visit, this is probably the best option, specially if you want to potter about explore on foot.
Logis de la Cadène
Logis de la Cadène sits right in the heart of town, on the town square. Decor is hotel chic, and the place comes stunning views. It is owned by the family behind the famous Château Angélus wine, and so it’s not surprising that it has a Michelin-starred restaurant on site (the only one in St-Emilion)
Au Logis des Remparts
Right in the heart of the old town, Au Logis des Remparts has both a garden and an outdoor pool, quite honestly a rare combination this close to the centre. The hotel doesn’t meet French government accessibility requirements, however, so bear that in mind before you book.
Among the vineyards, hotels just outside the village
For travellers to St-Émilion who want a hotel with a pool, spa, and vineyard views with their morning coffee, staying just outside town is worth the short drive/long walk.
Les Clefs de Troplong Mondot
Les Clefs de Troplong Mondot is the hotel set within the renowned St-Émilion winery Chateau Troplong Mondot (producers of one of the very few premier grand cru classe bordeaux wines). A 30 minute walk/5 minute drive from town, it offers romantic suites and private cottages surrounded by vines.
- Check out the Les Clefs de Troplong Mondot hotel website here
- Find Les Clefs de Troplong Mondot hotel on Google Maps here
Libourne and the surrounding villages
A cheaper (ok, the term is relative…) more practical base if you’re touring the wider wine region and you have a car. A ten minute drive into St-Émilion and only a short drive to other famous appellations (did I here someone say Pomerol? Don’t mind if I do…).
Château Hôtel Grand Barrail
A 19th-century château just under two miles from the village, Château Hôtel Grand Barrail has an outdoor pool, spa, excellent restaurant, and it’s own winebar that used to sell Chateau Angelus wine by the glass! (IKR…. probably one of the few times you’ll get to experience one of the most expensive fine wines without having to bargain with your bank manager beforehand).
- Check out the Château Hôtel Grand Barrail hotel website here
- Find Château Hôtel Grand Barrail on Google Maps here
Top 3 things to do in on a trip to St-Émilion village
OK, now you’ve got your hotel, and you’ve had a glass or two of wine, what to do next?
Visit the 12 century Monolithic Church
If you’re feeling energetic, why not take a tour around the underground passages of the monolithic church of Saint-Émilion (the largest such monolithic church in Europe). Spend 45 minutes meandering beneath the village and take in the Trinity Chapel, the Emilion Hermitage, the catacombs and the bell tower (which rises over 50 metres and can be spotted from well outside the village). A quick note: photography is NOT allowed underground.
However you CAN take pics of the quite staggering painting The Apocalypse of Saint-Émilion, according to St John by local artist François Peltier. It’s a staggering depiction
Taste wine at the only château in the centre of St-Émilion
Chateau Gaudet is located in St-Emilion town, and is the only one within easy walking distance of town-centre hotels. The estate is managed by Guy-Petrus Lignac, great nephew of Marie Louise Loubat who created Château Pétrus, and produces grand cru classe wines. They run wine tastings with short tours of the cellar. Quick note: entrance to the cellar is a via a small vertical step ladder, though you can skip this bit of the experience and just do the tasting