Highlights of the Saint-Emilion Experience
For an extended period, I have possessed a deep fascination with Saint-Emilion. Having viewed iconic images of the expansive village from its elevated vantage points, my desire to visit grew over the years.
Moreover, my previous experience working with wines during a part-time job in school intensified my curiosity regarding Saint-Emilion, especially due to its association with Semillon wine.
During this wine pilgrimage in France, the opportunity to explore the enchanting village of Saint-Emilion finally materialized.
Upon arrival, I eagerly headed towards the Collegiate Church, given its proximity to our parking area…
…before proceeding to the balcony that boasts an astonishing view of the village!
The view was indeed a perfect representation of a quintessential French village that I had envisioned. With the sun shining and temperatures significantly more agreeable, we ventured out to discover more of this idyllic destination.
The most breathtaking view in the village, following that balcony, was undoubtedly from atop the tower. We made our way up there to fully appreciate the extensive landscape of Saint-Emilion.
On this lofty perch, one can enjoy sweeping vistas of the historic village alongside its surrounding vineyards, effectively balancing the picturesque scenery.
Saint-Emilion is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not solely due to the village itself but also because of the enduring vineyards that have remained largely unchanged and productive since their inception many centuries ago.
A notable site to explore in Saint-Emilion is the Monolithic Church, a remarkable structure sculpted from a single rock face in the hills. Sketching its significance, it’s rare to encounter such unique ecclesiastical architecture today.
After departing the church, we faced a decision: wind down with a glass of wine under the warm sun or continue our exploration of the village on foot. As enticing as the former option sounded, our curiosity drove us to pursue the latter course. The allure of the village was too captivating to ignore.
Thus, we continued our stroll through the town, pausing to admire the charming French houses and weaving tales about the lives of their inhabitants…
Eventually, we returned to the balcony from which we first started. Before bidding our farewell to this picturesque French village, a quick detour was made to inspect Les Grandes Murailles, the façade of an ancient Dominican monastery, which serves as the first sight when arriving in Saint-Emilion.
Excited for what lay ahead, we set forth towards the next vineyard, Château la Dominique, to take a leisurely stroll among the vineyards, digitally documented by the close-knit nature of wine tasting.
All that delightful exposure to the sunshine in Saint-Emilion had certainly sparked a thirst for refreshing wine! Thus, the visit to Château la Dominique was not only essential for tasting but also an enlightening experience within its scenic vineyards.
During the vineyard visit, don’t miss the rooftop area. It features breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards, including those privately owned by the LMVH group, offering a stunning visual experience paired with the nostalgic ambiance of pebbles designed to resemble grapes, reminiscent of the traditional winemaking process of stomping on grapes.
As the evening approached, we returned to our chosen sanctuary for the night, Maison du Vins, where a chef awaited to prepare a sumptuous dinner for us. Unfortunately, arriving in the dark made photography exceedingly challenging, but I am excited to illustrate some of the room details at this magnificent chateau…
Following the enjoyable evening, we relaxed and indulged in a few glasses of wine, realizing that much of what we had collected might not accompany us back home!
The next morning ushered in a brief farewell to the chateau, as we continued our quest for more hidden gems across the enchanting landscapes of France!
With another day ahead, we were ready to savor our way once more across the charming vineyards of French wine country. Stay tuned for even more stories and explorations in Bordeaux in my next post!
