Things To Do
Visit St. Emilion
For such a small town, Saint Émilion packs above its weight in noteworthy monuments. It won’t take long to cover them all by foot though in this small town. The largest monolithic church in Europe sits right in the middle of Saint Émilion. From the neighboring square with several restaurants, you can see the three arched windows that are the outside of the church. But, this hardly does the structure justice. You can take a guided tour to see inside the underground church that was carved in the 12th century.
Check out Libourne
Libourne is a charming riverside town with a warm, welcoming feel and plenty of character. Every Friday and Saturday it hosts a bustling local market in the town centre, with fresh produce, artisan goods and regional specialities. It's also home to our favourite boulangerie, Sylvain Marie, where the breads and pastries are simply exceptional.
Wine Tasting at Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere
Château Canon‑La Gaffelière is a Premier Grand Cru Classé B estate just south of Saint‑Émilion, run by Stephan von Neipperg since the 1980s. Its 19.5‑hectare vineyard is farmed organically on clay‑limestone and sandy soils, producing elegantly structured wines with a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winemaking is deliberately restrained — with long élevage on fine lees — to highlight purity, finesse and a mineral-driven complexity.
Wine Tasting at Le Dôme
Nestled in the heart of Saint‑Émilion’s vineyards, Le Dôme offers a uniquely intimate wine tasting experience. The cellar showcases a carefully curated selection of the region’s finest Grand Crus, with guided tastings that reveal the nuances of terroir, grape varieties, and traditional winemaking techniques.
L'Envers du Décor
££ A historic wine bar‑bistro, L’Envers du Décor was the first of its kind in Saint‑Émilion (opened in 1987) and was later taken over by the Perse family, owners of Château Pavie. The menu features market‑driven, seasonal dishes — think côte de bœuf, slow‑cooked lamb, and a soufflé au Grand Marnier — all created by chef Bertrand Bordenave with fresh, high‑quality ingredients. What really makes the place special is its wine list: over 500 references, stored in a 19th‑century stone quarry beneath the restaurant, with many available by the glass. There’s also a peaceful, shaded terrace at the back of the restaurant that sits against the walls of the Collegiate Church for a serene escape. We DO plan to feed you very well the next day, but for those with larger appetites, we fully recommend the côte de bœuf, it washes down very nicely with a Château Mangot 2015.
Chai Pascal
££ A warm and welcoming bistro and wine bar tucked into the old cellars of Château Larmande in Saint‑Émilion’s village. Since 2008, chef Mickaël has been creating simple, home‑made dishes using fresh, seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. The wine list is a highlight too — a carefully chosen mix of Saint-Émilion vineyards and international gems, served in a relaxed, authentic setting.
L'Atelier de Candale - Saint-Emilion
££ Nestled just outside Saint‑Émilion, L’Atelier de Candale was the very first restaurant that Siobhan and her mum, Anne, dined in when exploring the region while looking for a house to buy. Set within the vineyards of Château de Candale, it offers a warm, convivial atmosphere, a lovely terrace overlooking the Saint‑Émilion landscape, and a menu built around fresh, seasonal produce. Their charcuterie board is exceptional, and thanks to its slightly out-of-town location, we recommend driving to fully enjoy this charming spot.
La Table de Pavie
£££ A two‑star Michelin gastronomic restaurant overseen by chef Sébastien Faramond under Yannick Alléno’s guidance, La Table de Pavie offers exquisitely refined cuisine deeply rooted in the terroir of Saint‑Émilion. With tasting menus ranging from around €305 per person, it’s a truly premium dining experience — elegant, luxurious and unapologetically expensive. Because the restaurant is small and very popular, reservations well in advance are essential.