This easy, breathtaking loop takes you through some of the Juridiction's finest estates. After the iconic Cité, the small roads take you to Château Haut-Sarpe, one of the oldest wine estates, and Château Faugère, where you can appreciate the modernist winery, built into the hillside by architect Mario Botta. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and appreciate the landscape of hillsides and vineyards that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The stages
From the Tourist Office, walk past the Maison du Vin and the church, then turn right.
The Maison du Vin welcomes you all year round and offers over 400 references of Saint-Émilion wines at estate prices.
Opening times :
April, May, June and October: 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6.30pm
July, August and September: 9.30am to 7pm - non-stop
November to March: 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6pm
The monolithic church was built between the 16th and 15th centuries. Situated in the heart of the town, the religious building has remarkable architecture. Built in a single block from the limestone plateau, it was designed to welcome hundreds of pilgrims to the tomb of its patron saint, the Breton monk Emilion. From the top of its 68-metre bell tower, you can climb its 196 steps and admire a 360° view of the Saint-Emilion region.
At the roundabout, continue straight on towards St-Christophe.
Follow the first signs for ‘Saint-Emilion Sud’ by turning right onto the D243E1. Drive past Ch. La Couspaude (on your left).
Leave ‘Saint-Emilion Sud’ on your right and continue along the D243, keeping to the right at the crow's feet. Follow the Ch. Trottevieille.
At the ‘Haut-Sarpe’ sign, turn left. Go past the mill and cross the Ch. Haut-Sarpe.
Turn right back onto the D243, then left at the Cédez-le-passage towards St-Christophe. Pass Ch. des Laudes and Ch. Panet. In the village, go as far as the roundabout.
Just before the St-Christophe roundabout, turn right towards the Mairie.
Continue straight on until you reach the crossroads at Ch. Lapelletrie. Turn left towards Ch. Laroque.
Go past Ch. Laroque, then straight on until you reach the stop sign.
At the stop sign, turn right onto the D243E2.r
On the descent, turn left towards the church of St-Hippolyte.
Immediately turn right towards Ch. de Ferrand. Continue straight on until you reach the next houses.
Just before the church of St-Hippolyte, take the path on the right just after the last house to see the Grottes de Ferrand.
Alternatively, go straight ahead and turn left towards St Christophe des Bardes.
Just before the church of St-Hippolyte, take the path on the right just after the last house to see the Grottes de Ferrand.
Alternatively, go straight ahead and turn left towards St Christophe des Bardes.
Opposite the house after the church, turn left towards St-Christophe. At Ch. Destieux, go straight on until you reach the stop sign at Ch. Boutisse.
Opposite the house after the church, turn left towards St-Christophe. At Ch. Destieux, go straight on until you reach the stop sign at Ch. Boutisse.
At the stop sign, turn right onto the D243. Continue straight on, following signs for St Genès de Castllion and Ch. Valandraud.
Go down to the route de St-Etienne and climb up towards St-Genès and Ch. Haut-Veyrac.
Just after Ch. Valandraud (on the left), turn right at the bus stop and follow the signs for Ch. de Pressac.
Pass the Ch. de Pressac (on the right) and continue downhill.
Pass the modern Ch. Faugères wine storehouse and continue downhill.
At the junction at the bottom of the descent, turn right and go as far as the give-way that joins the D130.
At the give-way sign, turn right onto the D130 towards Ch. Haut Rocher and continue straight on to reach St-Etienne-de-Lisse.
Pass the Ch. La Rose Monturon (left) and the church of St. Etienne de Lisse (right). At the crow's-foot cross, keep left onto the D245.
Go through St-Laurent-des-Combes in the direction of Saint-Emilion and continue on the D245 passing close to Ch. de Candale (restaurant L'Atelier de Candal
Go past Ch. Pavie (on your right) and continue straight on until you reach La Gaffelière.
At Ch. La Gaffelière, turn right to go up towards Saint-Emilion.
Continue up Rue Guadet, the main cobbled street.
Almost at the top of rue Guadet, turn left into rue du Clocher as far as the Tourist Office.
Grand Saint-Emilionnais Tourist Office
Le Doyenné - Place des Créneaux
33330 SAINT-EMILION
