Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
18:00, Place Pioceau, tel. 05 57 55 28 28,
www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com
,
st-
The TI has information on St-Emilion's few sights and has a helpful booklet on
chambres d'hôtes
. Ask about English-language
tours
of the city, the underground church,
and the vineyards (vineyard and underground tours described later, under “Sights in St-
Emilion,” see TI website for times). The TI also rents
bikes,
and has helpful English-
language handouts outlining several self-guided cycling routes, as well as themed, well-
marked
walking routes
through the vineyards.
Arrival in St-Emilion
By Train:
It'sa20-minute walk throughthe vineyards fromSt-Emilion'strain station into
town; taxis don't wait at the station, but you can call one (see “Helpful Hints—Taxi and
Local Guide,” below; 6 trains/day Mon-Fri from Bordeaux, 4/day Sat-Sun). You can also
get off in Libourne (five miles away, with better train service including TGV trains, and
easy car rental). From Libourne you can catch a cab (about €30) or take an infrequent bus
to St-Emilion (3/day, June-Sept only) from the bus station
(gare routière)
next to the train
station.
By Car:
If you're coming from Sarlat, take the autoroute from Périgueux and save
40 minutes over the local roads. If coming from the Loire, take the autoroute to Poitiers,
then follow N-10 south toward Angoulême, then Bordeaux. You'll find parking (€2/hour)
in lots at the upper end of the town, or along the wall.
Helpful Hints
Taxi and Local Guide:
Jolly
Robert Faustin,
who drives a comfortable station wagon
and speaks enough English, can advise you and arrange visits to wineries (he knows
themall),andisanenjoyablepersontospendtimewith(tel.0557251759,mobile06
77 75 36 64,
www.taxi-lussac-winetour-stemilion.com
,
robert.faustin@wanadoo.fr
)
.
Tourist Train:
A
petit train
toots you from St-Emilion through vineyards and back in 35
minutes (€6.50, 10/day, stop is behind TI by vineyards).
Wine-Tasting
They'vebeenmakingwineinSt-Emilionforover1,800years—makingittheoldestwine-
producing area in the Bordeaux region. Blending Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes, St-
Emilion wines are also the most robust in Bordeaux. About 60 percent of the grapes you
