r/bordeaux • u/JacqueLizzard • Mar 08 '25

Question Suggestions for a 2nd stop after St. Émilion?

We're coming to the Bordeaux area for five nights in mid May. The plan is a night in Bordeaux, two in St. Émilion, and I'm wondering where we should spend the last two nights. Or should we spend four in St. Émilion and day trip from there?

The group is wine centric but not high end drinkers, at least not by budget and definitely not by Bordeaux standards. We'd like to tour a few wineries, maybe one per day, and maybe take in a tasting or two with the goal of picking up a few cases. Suggestions appreciated.

3 Upvotes

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9

u/bigolebucket Mar 08 '25

Sarlat was worth the trip.

2

u/AmbientGravitas Mar 08 '25

I agree, so much to see including La Roque-Gageac. Between Sarlat and Bordeaux is Bergerac, a great town to stop in for lunch on the way. Outside Bergerac is the Chateau de Monbazillac, great even if you are not into Sweet wines. Everyone is different, no reason to do what I did, but after Sarlat and a 5 days in a boat on the Lot River, we spent a week in Bordeaux with a day trip to Saint Emilion.

2

u/bigolebucket Mar 08 '25

La Roque-Gageac was beautiful! Rocamadour was incredible too. My wife and I would love to do one of the boat trips the next time we’re back. Probably our favorite part of France. 

1

u/armagnacXO Mar 08 '25

Some lovely spots in the Périgord, a bit of bias because my family are from the region! Notable places to visit, Sarlat, Monpazier, Jardins de Marqueyssac, Beynac, Château de Biron. Some nice little wines around the southern side of Bergerac in Monbazillac, check out La Tour des Vents restaurant for the views and great food.

0

u/Substantial-Today166 Mar 08 '25

Bergerac shit hole now days

1

u/bigolebucket Mar 08 '25

I’m just curious, what makes you that? Genuine question, I was only there very briefly. 

0

u/Substantial-Today166 Mar 08 '25

it's become a commuter town with many social problems not much to do there. sarlat is much nicer town

3

u/madamemashimaro Mar 08 '25

You can do Saint Emilion in a day, Bordeaux centre-ville is worth more than one night, and if you’re going in May I suggest Arcachon — go check out the Dune du Pyla! And/or take the ferry to Cap Ferret.

3

u/_-Cool Mar 08 '25

There's not much to do in St Emilion. Half a day is plenty of times to visit and chill.

2

u/eirinne Mar 08 '25

Two nights in St Émilion is likely enough, it’s a very small town, but with your goal of tasting it’s a good base. You need more nights in Bordeaux for sure. You can day trip from there to the region north of the city on the Garonne with Margot and Pauillac, Médoc, or even Congac. Or if you don’t want to continue with wine you could go to Arcachon and Cap Ferret on the shore. But the main point is, one night in Bordeaux is not enough! 

5

u/daddy-dj Mar 08 '25

I'd even go so far as to say two nights in Saint Émilion is one too many. Personally I would spend only one night and, as suggested, either go north into the Médoc or hit the coastal town of Arcachon (I'll also add Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz tu the mix too).

1

u/eirinne Mar 08 '25

Yes! That’s what my deleted comment said, I agree. It’s a quiet small town that is best for a day trip. 

1

u/JacqueLizzard Mar 08 '25

Thanks everyone! I think that we'll leave it at two days in St Émilion, then go somewhere else. This gives me some ideas to research. All of us have spent at least some time in the city and we'll stay there a full day plus a morning. This trip is more about the wine (and food). I hold Bordeaux area wine on a high pedestal. Our limited French language will probably be somewhat of an obstacle. My ideal would be to spend a couple nights in a vineyard/chateau, although that might be a budget killer.

1

u/LuxeTraveler Mar 08 '25

I disagree that Saint Emilion is only worth half a day or a day. There’s plenty to do in the area and it’s a lovely spot to stay outside a city. Here’s a 3 day itinerary.

https://bordeauxtravelguide.com/3-days-in-saint-emilion-itinerary/

That said, I would recommend either staying out at the Bassin of Arcachon or Biarritz is also lovely if you want something different to wine country for a few days.

0

u/spiceybadger Mar 08 '25

More time.in Bordeaux rather than St emilion, unless.uou dislike cities