If you’re looking for a beautiful French getaway filled with wine, countryside views, charming villages and incredible food, add Saint-Émilion and Pujols to your list.
We recently travelled to this part of France for a friend’s wedding and fell completely in love with it. From flying into Bordeaux and taking the train to Saint-Émilion, to staying in a beautiful countryside guesthouse in Pujols and celebrating at Château Rigaud, it was the perfect French escape.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux or the surrounding French wine region, here’s everything you need to know about our trip, including how we got there, where we stayed and where we ate.
How to Get From Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion
We flew from London Gatwick to Bordeaux, which was a really easy option for getting to the region from the UK. Once we arrived in Bordeaux, we made our way to Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean, the city’s main train station, where we caught the train to Saint-Émilion.
There are two main options for getting from Bordeaux Airport to Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station:
- Direct airport shuttle: approximately 30 minutes and around €8
- Tram F: approximately 45 minutes and around €2
We chose the direct shuttle as it was quicker and, with our luggage, it felt like the easiest option.
Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion by Train
The train journey from Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion takes approximately 30–37 minutes. Tickets cost roughly €7–€15 each way, depending on the train and when you book.
Trains run approximately every 1–2 hours, so I’d recommend checking the timetable before travelling. We used SNCF Connect to check train times and plan our journey.
One tip: consider buying an open return ticket if your plans allow. The Saint-Émilion train station is unstaffed, so having some flexibility around your return journey can be useful.
Travel Tip: Book Your Taxi in Advance
If you’re arriving by train with luggage, I would book a taxi from Saint-Émilion station to your accommodation in advance. We made the mistake of deciding to walk, which sounds fine in theory… until you remember Saint-Émilion has hills!
We arrived in 40-degree heat, dragging our suitcases uphill — and, naturally, one of our suitcase wheels decided to come off along the way. Let’s just say that first glass of wine at the end of the walk was VERY well deserved. Saint-Émilion is beautiful, but if you have luggage, especially in hot weather, save yourself the struggle and pre-book a taxi – (noted for next time!)
Where to Stay in Saint-Émilion
Our first accommodation was Les Appartements de la Cadène, which I found on Booking.com, and it was such a beautiful find. The property is chic, stylish and perfectly located for exploring Saint-Émilion. Everything we wanted to see, eat and drink was just a short walk away.
We booked the Studio Merlot, which was actually the last room available. I expected it to be quite compact as it was a studio, but I was completely wrong. The room was spacious, beautifully decorated and incredibly comfortable. And the bathroom was probably my favourite part. The room has a beautiful bathtub positioned in front of the window, meaning you can soak in the bath while looking out over the most stunning views.
After a day of exploring Saint-Émilion and drinking wine, it was pretty much the perfect way to relax.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Saint-Émilion, I honestly couldn’t recommend Les Appartements de la Cadène enough.
Where to Eat & Drink in Saint-Émilion
We were only in Saint-Émilion for one day, but we managed to fit in plenty of eating and drinking!
Here are some of the places we visited:
L’Envers du Décor
A lovely spot for food and drinks with a relaxed French atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you can sit down with a glass of wine and easily lose track of time.
Ô 3 Fontaines
Another lovely place to add to your Saint-Émilion itinerary. It’s perfect for enjoying a drink, taking in the atmosphere and making the most of being in one of France’s most famous wine regions.
La Table 38
If you’re looking for somewhere to sit down for a proper meal, La Table 38 is another option to consider during your time in Saint-Émilion.
Le Bouchon
We also had breakfast at Le Bouchon, and the value was incredible.
For just €16, we had:
- Coffee
- Orange juice
- An omelette
- Pastries
- Yoghurt
Honestly… what more could you want for breakfast in France?
The location was also perfect, with everything in the village being within easy walking distance.
Staying in Pujols, France
After our time in Saint-Émilion, we headed to Pujols, a small and peaceful village around a 30-minute drive from Saint-Émilion. We were staying in Pujols because we were attending a wedding nearby, so we booked three nights and used it as our base for the wedding weekend.
If you’re planning to stay in this more rural part of France, one important tip is to book your taxis in advance. Pujols is very rural and taxis aren’t as readily available as they are in larger towns, so organising your transport beforehand will make your trip much easier.
Where to Stay in Pujols: Les Gués Rivières
We stayed at Les Gués Rivières, and it was absolutely beautiful. Every room was gorgeous, but the highlight for me was the huge terrace at the back, overlooking the most beautiful countryside views. It was incredibly peaceful and felt like the perfect place to escape to after a busy day.
We stayed for three nights and had breakfast included, which was such a lovely way to start each morning.
What is Pujols like?
Pujols is very quiet and peaceful, so I wouldn’t necessarily visit expecting lots of restaurants, shops or things to do. There is a restaurant open around lunchtime and a small local shop, but that’s about it. For us, though, this was part of the charm.
If you’re looking for somewhere to slow down, enjoy the countryside and experience a quieter side of France, Pujols is perfect. Thankfully, Les Gués Rivières has pretty much everything you need. You can buy drinks and snacks from the guesthouse, enjoy their set menu in the evening or even request pizzas if you fancy something more casual.
And I have to mention our host, Étienne, who was absolutely incredible. He was so welcoming and helpful throughout our stay and genuinely made us feel at home. It was one of those stays where the hospitality made the experience even more special.
Château Rigaud Wedding Venue
And, of course, the main reason we were visiting this part of France was for a very special occasion… Our friends were getting married!
The wedding took place at Château Rigaud, and it was honestly incredible. The château and surrounding grounds were absolutely beautiful and made the most magical setting for a French countryside wedding. It was such a special few days celebrating with our friends, and the whole experience made me fall even more in love with this part of France.
I would actually love to come back and stay at Château Rigaud one day. It was one of those places where you arrive and immediately think, I could stay here for much longer.
Saint-Émilion & Pujols Itinerary
If you’re planning your own trip, here’s a quick overview of our itinerary:
Day 1 – Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion
Fly from London Gatwick to Bordeaux
Airport shuttle to Bordeaux Saint-Jean
Train to Saint-Émilion
Check into Les Appartements de la Cadène
Explore Saint-Émilion
Dinner and drinks in the village
Day 2 – Saint-Émilion to Pujols
Breakfast in Saint-Émilion
Taxi to Pujols
Check into Les Gués Rivières
Relax and enjoy the countryside
Days 3–4 – Pujols & Wedding Weekend
Breakfast at the guesthouse
Wedding at Château Rigaud
Food, wine and plenty of celebrations
Final Thoughts: Is Saint-Émilion Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! What I loved most about this trip was experiencing two very different sides of southwest France.
Saint-Émilion is charming, lively and full of beautiful architecture, restaurants, wine shops and places to explore. Pujols, on the other hand, is quiet, rural and incredibly peaceful.
If you’re planning a French wine region itinerary, I’d definitely recommend combining the two if you have enough time. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a girls’ trip, a wedding weekend or simply want to explore some of the best places to visit near Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion and the surrounding countryside are definitely worth adding to your list.
Just remember my top tips:
Leave plenty of time for wine tasting
Check Bordeaux–Saint-Émilion train times in advance
Pre-book taxis, especially in rural areas
Don’t attempt a 40-degree uphill walk with a suitcase
Always say yes to a French breakfast
And leave enough time to simply enjoy the views
Saint-Émilion, you were beautiful. Until next time… 🇫🇷🍷
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