Major city · France
Saint-Émilion
Half a day to one day is enough: walk the medieval streets, see the monolithic church, and taste wine. A full day if you add a château visit or a vineyard walk.
Saint-Émilion is a UNESCO-listed medieval hill town 35 km northeast of Bordeaux, surrounded by world-famous vineyards. Its main draw is the underground monolithic church, wine cellars carved into limestone, and the chance to taste Bordeaux's right-bank wines. Most visitors come for a half-day or a full day from Bordeaux, or stay one night for a quieter evening.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot)
- Airport
- BOD
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Saint-Émilion17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint-Émilion, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBOD Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (35–40 min drive; train from Bordeaux Saint-Jean station).
- Getting aroundWalk: the town is small, 10 min from one side to the other.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealDinner (three courses)€35–60 (≈ US$45–70)
- Museum or sight ticketMonolithic church entry€8 (≈ US$10) (check)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in town, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedDouble room in town, a night, per room€200 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BOD Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (35–40 min drive; train from Bordeaux Saint-Jean station)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Care
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Care
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Émilion: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk: the town is small, 10 min from one side to the other. Cars over 2 m wide must park in lots outside the walls (10–15 min walk).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Train from Saint-Émilion station, about 35 min
City of wine, museums, and the riverfront.
Door to door: About 2 h
Train via Bordeaux, about 1.5 h
Dune du Pilat and oyster shacks; a full day.
Soulac-sur-Mer
skipDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Train via Bordeaux, about 2 h
Beach town; better as a dedicated trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Walk to everything; parking outside the walls.
Vineyard estates (châteaux)
Quiet, often include a tasting; need a car or taxi.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in town1 × 1 night × €130 | €130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €120 | €240 |
| Train Bordeaux–Saint-Émilion return2 × €18 · check | €36 |
| Wine tasting at a château2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Monolithic church entry2 × €8 · check | €16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €45 |
| Trip total≈ €249 per person per day, bed included | €497≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | €2–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Glass of wine (bar) | €5–12 (≈ US$6–14) |
| Lunch menu (plat du jour) | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Dinner (three courses) | €35–60 (≈ US$45–70) |
| Train Bordeaux–Saint-Émilion (single) | €9 (≈ US$11) (check) |
| Wine tasting (château) | €10–25 (≈ US$12–30) |
| Monolithic church entry | €8 (≈ US$10) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking: large vehicles not allowed inside the town; park at the lots near the tourist office.
- Last train to Bordeaux around 22:00; check the schedule.Last train to Bordeaux around 10:00 PM; check the schedule.
- Many châteaux require advance booking for visits and tastings.
- Steep cobbled streets: wear comfortable shoes.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Saint-ÉmilionSaint-Émilion
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance112
Embassy
The US Consulate General is in Bordeaux; most other countries have embassies in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Bordeaux → Saint-Émilion: about €9 (≈ US$11), 35 min (check)
- Taxi from Bordeaux: €50–70 (≈ US$60–85) (check)
- Parking (all day): €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-syon, seel voo pleh)
- Un verre de vin rouge — A glass of red wine (uhn vair duh van roozh)
- Où est l'office de tourisme ? — Where is the tourist office? (oo ay loh-fees duh too-reez-muh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint-Émilion. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the monolithic church, each major château, and the wine school.
- Eat pages with last orders and reservation links.
- Parking map with live capacity (check feasibility).
- Train schedule widget for Bordeaux–Saint-Émilion.
Sources
Ask about Saint-Émilion
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