Our team's favourites

14Results

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  Château de la Rivière: a magical place, overlooking the vineyards and the Dordogne - Gretel's favourite

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  "A magical place, overlooking the vineyards and the Dordogne"     "During my internship at the Tourist Office, I was lucky enough to be able to visit an exceptional wine estate in La Rivière, in the Fronsadais.     After a twenty-minute drive from the Saint-Emilion Tourist Office, we arrived at the imposing gates of the château and we took a long winding road through the woods leading up to the property. As we got out of the car, we were greeted by birds singing and the reassuring calm of nature.   We joined Marie, the wine tourism manager, who was waiting for us for a private tour of the property. Before the guided tour, we were also able to enjoy the spring weather and the breathtaking views over the vineyards and the Dordogne: a real treat!   Marie then took us inside the chateau, where we visited the Chapel, the Hall of Arms, and the various salons that are usually reserved for B&B guests - we were very lucky!   We continued our tour, with a change of atmosphere and temperature, by visiting the underground cellars. In fact, the château has a total of 28 hectares of underground galleries, with 8 hectares accessible for visits! As we walked through the cellars, we were surprised to discover a room with a large table and chairs carved out of stone, to host end of season meals for example! An unusual and memorable experience in the cellars. In addition, these underground cellars house a "museum" section, with old barrels and bottles from the estate - as if part of the cellar had been frozen in time! To our surprise, when we left the underground cellars we found ourselves in the château's exhibition room: a sort of secret passageway leading to these endless underground cellars!   We finished our visit with a tasting of the 3 wines, on the terrace in the shade of the wisteria and finally we had a look around the shop!   All year long Marie and her team will be delighted to welcome you to this beautiful property, for an unmissable visit in the Grand Saint-Emilionnais area ! I hope to be able to come back very soon to this magnificent property, which takes your breath away!  Perhaps for the Festival Confluent d'Arts, which takes place in the Park of the Château de La Rivière, from the 7th to the 9th of July 2022! "
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  Château Montlabert

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  "Château Montlabert: a poetic place"   During my first few weeks of work experience, I had the chance to visit some properties, including Château Montlabert. This one is located a few minutes from the entrance of Saint-Emilion. From the outside, the Château is discreet, and it's hard to imagine discovering these buildings. We were welcomed by a smiling team, in the heart of a Château in which we immediately felt at ease.We were first given a taste of our visit with the screening of a film, before setting off to discover the park and the cellar. It was a real surprise to see these buildings, which resonate with each other from the garden, and to discover the poetic arrangements made by the architect. Every detail is designed to add a story, such as the light inlets, the natural ventilation to keep the cellar at the right temperature, the design of the tanks, or the stairs. In addition, the sound and light projection in the heart of the barrel cellar cuts us off from the outside world. The five senses are stimulated throughout the visit, allowing a complete immersion in the heart of the life of the vineyard.
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  A bit of mountain - Ediwge's favorite

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  "My main compass: the bell tower of the monolithic church"     A few months ago, I started running from the Tourist Office. With one or two colleagues, we run for 40 minutes without really having a set route.   My pleasure: to set off without knowing where to go and to discover each time new paths, to contemplate new lights and wine estates always more striking than the others, to take a real break during the day in order to be able to recharge my batteries in these endless vineyards worked by men and women.   My main compass: the bell tower of the monolithic church. I never go to the same place with the aim of voluntarily getting lost in the first half of my run, in order to go on an adventure in ever more remarkable landscapes: combining business with pleasure ! Despite everything, the imposing bell tower of the monolithic church remains my landmark and always leads me back to the Office. I discovered paths through the vineyards, historical relics and viewpoints, each more exceptional than the last, from the heights of the slopes overlooking the Dordogne valley or the satellites of Saint-Emilion.
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  A bit of mountain - Ediwge's favorite

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  "The 360° view gives this place a little (very little) mountain side".   One place I like to walk around is the little hill on which the Calon mills stand. I am lucky enough to live not too far away, a few kilometres, and I make it an almost obligatory and very frequent part of my walks/hiking in the Saint Emilionnais. Five mill remains within a few metres of each other, two of which are fully and perfectly restored, are a pleasure for the eyes. Moreover, the 360° view around gives this place a little (very little) mountain side... Mountain, is the perfect french traduction of the village where they are situated (Montagne). Groups of friends often come here for a picnic, or brides and grooms who have come to immortalise the big day. A place to discover if not already done, and to share.     Want to know what other secrets Montagne has in store for you? We tell you more here: https://bit.ly/3n2XgTN 
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  A sunset in Saint-Emilion - Lydie's favourite

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  "This special moment requires punctuality. It would be a shame to miss this ephemeral, simple, yet magical moment!"     One of my favorites when it comes to our beautiful territory is offered by Mother Nature: sunsets. The season I prefer? It's definitely autumn. The warm colors at the end of the season are indescribably beautiful. There are many places to contemplate this spectacle, but my favorite place is at the top of the bell tower of the underground church. This emblematic monument of the village once guided pilgrims in the Middle Ages to Saint-Émilion and is still a reference point for reaching the town today, like a lighthouse in an ocean of vineyards!   From the top of its slender silhouette, you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama. But to get there, you'll have to be brave and climb the 196 steps of the spiral staircase leading to the Gothic balustrade. On arrival: panoramic view and wonder guaranteed! Especially at a time when the sun is waning, depositing its orange tones on the vineyard and sublimating the limestone. Be careful, this special moment requires punctuality: it would be a shame to miss this ephemeral, simple and yet so magical moment to experience.   Share your most beautiful moments of Saint-Emilion with us with the #mysaintemilion on Instagram!
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  The collegiate church - Christelle's favourite

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  15 minutes to sit on a bench...     Take the time to settle down... to settle your body and mind! I gave myself 15 minutes ago. 15 minutes isn't much... but it's so precious and useful in our hectic lives. 15 minutes to sit on a pew... not a pew as in the song, but a church pew. Not to pray, but to meditate and observe. And not in just any church but the Collegiate Church of St. Emilion. Sit in the chapel to the right of the heart with its contemporary stained glass windows. On that day, clouds and light came and went... The light from the red, blue, orange, green stained glass windows reflected on the Gothic walls of this church. At first in pastel shades, the lights then totally disappeared before coming back brighter than ever in favour of the sun, revealing the reflection of the birds warming themselves against the golden stone outside.15 minutes, symbols for me of the harmony existing between human construction and Nature... as it should always be!     Learn more about this splendid church by reading this article: https://bit.ly/3jVsV62
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  The macaroon of Saint-Emilion - Marjorie's favourite

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  My Proust madeleine? The macaroons of Saint-Émilion     My very own Proust madeleine is the Saint-Émilion macaroon.   This warm and so particular smell of almonds takes me back to my childhood, when I would walk through the doors of Mrs Blanchez's shop on Saturday morning as I was leaving the presbytery, with a precious 10 franc coin given to me by my grandmother to give me a pocket of sweets.   This soft small cake that I delicately removed from the small paper on which it was presented, like a treasure that one takes out of its case; this thin golden layer on top, just crunchy and crackling in the mouth, brings me back to Sunday meals that took on a festive air when there were macaroons on the table to accompany the coffee.   I am lucky to still have the opportunity to enjoy these delicious macaroons that remind me of my childhood in Saint-Émilion at my grandparents' house. Nadia Fermigier, Mrs Blanchez's successor, was able to reproduce the recipe identically, faithful to the traditional recipe bequeathed by the Ursuline Sisters. The shop has remained the same, with the same candy boxes and above all with the same tasty smell that comes from the workshop in the back shop. I can no longer pay in francs, but I can afford the luxury of falling back into childhood, which in the end is much more precious. And you, what memories will you create for yourself when you taste the Saint-Emilion macaroons?
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  Château de Ferrand - Cécilia's favourite

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  A memorable event at the Château de Ferrand     Working at the Tourist Office gives us the opportunity to make magical encounters in Saint-Emilion, whether with people or places.   It was one of these encounters last winter that particularly touched me. In January, I was able to experience one of these memorable encounters at the Château de Ferrand in the company of part of the Tourist Office team.   Nestled on a rocky promontory in Saint-Hippolyte, a small town about ten minutes from the medieval city, the Château de Ferrand was waiting for us to give us an extraordinary experience during which French charm took on its full meaning.   Adrien, sommelier of the Château for 10 years, was waiting for us for a visit of the property. It must be said that he excels in the art of entertaining. I then discovered the new spaces of the Château de Ferrand, renovated in a refined contemporary style. The tasting room with its walls decorated with frescoes drawn in BIC is incredible. The large lounge and its fireplace amazed me.   After this magical discovery for the eyes, our taste buds were delighted! The gourmet lunch served in the dining room of the Château and accompanied by old magnum vintages will remain in my memory for a long time.   The most incredible thing about this experience is that anyone can choose to live it. At the Tourist Office, we will be happy to organize this exceptional moment for you.
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  An enchanted parenthesis - Mélyna's favourite

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  On summer evenings, my family and our friends sometimes meet in a place that we particularly like.   We go there to have a picnic and above all to enjoy the landscape that stretches out before us as far as the eye can see.   The icing on the cake is that on certain festive evenings, such as 14 July or the Nuit du Patrimoine (3rd Saturday in September), we enjoy watching the Saint-Emilion fireworks, among others!   This special place is the site of the Moulins de Calon in Montagne, but don't tell anyone, it's a "secret spot"!
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  Le Village du Livre - Solène's favourite

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  The Imagination Bookstore is aptly named!     On my way to the book village in Sablons, I didn't think that such a large and varied collection could occupy a monument as atypical as an old mill dating from the 17th century. The bookstore of the imaginary bears its name well! Contrary to what one might think, there are not only books, even if it covers the majority of his collection with some 500,000 works available.   The space has been optimized to showcase various types of collections. The former flour-making rooms have been converted into exhibition rooms where you can find documents divided up by theme, such as the world of comic strips on the ground floor, or various and varied objects such as scale models, posters, postcards and musical documents.   The space, spread over several floors, allows us to wander through rooms with evocative names of writers or artists. A real Ali Baba's cave for book lovers like me! Some of them are several centuries old: a real treat for the eyes! And icing on the cake, it is even possible to buy them ... because as its name suggests, it is above all a bookstore.   The site is so rich that it is very easy to spend the day there! A restaurant area is also accessible, whose terrace offers a magnificent view of the confluence of the Isle and the Dronne rivers, which were used to feed the mill. A perfect opportunity to end the visit in style or simply take a break before setting off again to discover these countless wonders...     For you too go on a trip to the imaginary bookstore, click here: https://bit.ly/34QMaHM
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  The Parc Guadet - Christelle's favourite

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  The Parc Guadet and its slices of life!     As a native of the area, I have had the time to sit down more than once in this pretty Parc Guadet, a small English-style garden in the village of Saint-Émilion.It is moving to bring my daughter to play in these places where I also played as a child: prize-giving ceremony at the end of the school year, end of school year party, playground with my friends...All the big events also take place in this park, a place for all the parties with a drink in hand (but in moderation!): Jazz Festival, farmers' markets, July 14th...But how could I have ignored for so long, this house of the Park with its commemorative plate evoking Elie Guadet, native of the village and moderate deputy of the Convention in 1793, namely one of the Girondins! First hidden in the famous "Puit des Girondins" during the Terror (in the courtyard of the Saint Valéry school - private), he was hidden in this house by his father until their arrest in June 1794. Elie Guadet and another of his fellow Girondins were hidden in the attic of the small low building visible on the left of the house. You won't see this Tennis Club building the same now, I'm sure!This "simple municipal park" has sheltered, shelters and will shelter for a long time to come the lives of many people... not only mine.  
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  The Church Notre-Dame de Cornemps - Christelle's favourite

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  This little dented church has a crazy charm!     Do you know the little village of Petit-Palais and Cornemps? If so, you know its church with its beautifully decorated 12th century façade. But do you know the second church of the commune? There I pique your curiosity! I'm talking about the church of Notre-Dame de Cornemps. From its small promontory, it doesn't look majestic... but this little dented church has a crazy charm. Going back to the 11th century, it still bears the scars of the past. Its nave was partly destroyed during the Wars of Religion in the 16th century and therefore narrowed. Restorations in the 19th century gave the church we see today. Want to go inside after ringing the bell? Ask the neighbours for the key... There you will walk on a tile floor with Lily flowers, symbol of the Virgin. In short, you are in history!   Want to learn more about the small village of Petit-Palais and Cornemps? Then go here: https://bit.ly/3lDiXGY  
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  The Cordeliers Cloister - Edwige's favourite

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  This timeless break is particularly enjoyable, I recommend the experience!     When I entertain friends, my favourite "outing" idea before lunch or to close the afternoon is to go to the Cloister of the Cordeliers. It's a moment that always pleases and is conducive to relaxation, all while sipping a cool glass of white or vintage rosé. As an aperitif or after a good meal, this sparkling wine is offered by the glass or bottle. It is possible to settle down in the adjoining gardens, between the blonde stones and in the shade of the trees. This timeless break is particularly enjoyable, I recommend the experience! To enhance the tasting, a few macaroons will delight gourmets, whether they are young or old.
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  The King's Keep

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  "I like to be in its shadow or by its side, far from the hustle and bustle of the whole town centre."   If I had to remember only one view in Saint-Emilion, it would certainly be the King's Keep.   I love being in its shadow or beside it, far from the hustle and bustle of the whole town centre.To have the feeling that I have it all to myself for a moment. Feeling the warmth of the sun and seeing it reflected on the walls of the houses and their soothing ochre. Having fun pinning down each red-tiled roof. Seeing that they are all different but cohabit elegantly with the stones to offer me a relaxing spectacle.   The time to pin all this, to sweep with my eyes all this beautiful landscape and I forget my daily worries.But very soon the Tour du Roy and the church tower bring me back to reality, like the edge of a frame delimiting this painting.That's when other curious people arrive to enjoy it.I choose to entrust them with this view, already thinking of the next time I will come there.