Demeure des Girondins

It was right in the centre.

This was our first time visiting Saint Emilion so we did not know what to expect as the flat is above a wine shop. We arrived and were shown up to the flat by a very nice man who gave us the keys. The stairs are very steep to the flat so carrying a heavy suitcase would be a challenge so we decided to go back to our van and take enough clothes for the 2 days in a smaller case. We were advised to drop our suitcase off at the wine shop and pay which would take 2 minutes therefore we were advised to stop in front of the shop. The streets are narrow and busy with the result wherever we tried to pull in we got the horn beeped by impatient drivers as there is not many places to pull in. My partner drove off in the hope of finding a space while I went in to pay. It was during the heatwave so temperature was close to 40 degrees which is very challenging anyway. I entered the shop and was informed there was no one there that could help me as the gentleman had gone to get dessert. I tried calling my partner to let him know we had to wait but there was no signal in the shop. More customers were coming in to have a wine tasting and I was asked to wait to be shown the flat which I tried to say we had already seen and could I just pay and find out where to park over night. I was told to just wait a minute so when I went to leave to let my partner know what was happening I stupidly managed to knock a decanter over from the window display and it broke. I had to pay £250 for breakages! It was very embarrassing but we took the decanter home as it can still be used but not sold off the shelf. We can laugh about it now but I think hotels for us from now on.

Excellent apartment in a perfect location with easy access in and out of town. Host even threw in a very generous and informative wine tasting in his shop on the ground floor.

Nothing.

Amazing location, big room and great people

Nothing we disliked

Great location - close to restaurants, coffee shops, tasting rooms and main attractions. Big rooms with lots of space including the cupboards and bathroom. We had a free wine tasting with Matthieu which was great for finding out more about the wines from this area and also the small wineries which are represented by the business. Keys were collected and dropped off with the staff in the wine shop - so really easy. Small supermarket up the hill near the police station but it doesn’t have a huge range, although nearby there was a great boulangerie. There was so much to do in St Emilion that we didn’t eventually go into Bordeaux itself but confined ourselves to experience this lovely area.

There is no parking at the property but you can find paid parking nearby and free parking is behind the police station about 10 minutes walk away. Ideally you can unload the car nearby and then park further away if you won’t be driving each day. Paid parking is 9-12 and 2-7. Be prepared for 2 flights of stairs if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues. You will need good walking shoes for the cobble stone streets and also to take care going down some of the steep cobbled streets. There is a washing machine and dryer but you have to go upstairs to an attic type area where staff from the business also wash linen etc. None of these things were a significant issue but just FYI while planning your stay.