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From Bordeaux: Saint-Émilion & Hidden Vineyards by Gravel Bike with Picnic Lunch
Escape Bordeaux for a full day exploring Saint-Émilion's vineyards, medieval villages and scenic gravel trails. Ride at a relaxed pace, enjoy a French picnic and discover places most visitors never see.
- 24h free cancellation
- Duration : 7 hours
- Live tour guide : English, French, Spanish
- Small group : Limited to 4 participants
- Distance: 30 km (20 Miles)
- Easy and safe for all fitness levels
From 189€ per person
Go beyond Saint-Émilion. Discover the wine country few visitors ever experience.
Most visitors discover Saint-Émilion on foot, join a wine tour by minibus or spend a few hours tasting wines before heading back to Bordeaux. But beyond the medieval village lies a landscape that tells an even richer story.
This full-day gravel bike experience invites you to explore the hidden side of the Saint-Émilion wine region. After a comfortable private transfer from Bordeaux, you'll leave the crowds behind and ride through a network of quiet vineyard roads, gravel paths and charming country lanes connecting some of the area's most authentic villages, including Montagne, Puisseguin, Saint Hyppolite, La Gaffelière and other hidden gems nestled among the vines.
Along the way, you'll pass through the landscapes surrounding some of Saint-Émilion's most prestigious wine estates, including Château Angélus, Château Pavie, Château Cheval Blanc, Château La Dominique and Château Pétrus.
But this experience goes beyond the famous names.
As you leave the main tourist routes behind, you'll also discover smaller and more confidential estates, tucked away on rolling hills and surrounded by vineyards. Family-owned wineries, historic properties and beautifully preserved wine-growing landscapes reveal another side of Saint-Émilion quieter, more intimate and often overlooked by traditional tours.
Designed for curious travellers rather than experienced athletes, this carefully crafted route combines scenic cycling, local heritage and breathtaking landscapes. Along the way, you'll discover family-owned vineyards, panoramic viewpoints over the rolling hills, historic churches, traditional wine-growing villages and peaceful countryside that many visitors never have the chance to experience.
Around lunchtime, enjoy a freshly prepared French picnic in a beautiful outdoor setting, surrounded by vineyards and nature. Those wishing to deepen their understanding of the region can also choose an optional stop at a local winery to meet passionate winemakers and discover the unique identity of Saint-Émilion's wines.
The journey continues towards the UNESCO World Heritage village of Saint-Émilion, where you'll have free time to wander its cobbled streets, admire its remarkable architecture, browse independent boutiques or simply soak up the atmosphere with a coffee on a sunny terrace.
With gravel bikes, small groups and a local guide who knows every hidden road and scenic viewpoint, this experience offers a completely different way to discover one of France's most celebrated wine regions. Rather than simply visiting Saint-Émilion, you'll experience the landscapes, villages and rural heritage that have shaped its reputation for centuries.
If you're looking for an authentic cycling adventure from Bordeaux that combines nature, culture, gastronomy and unforgettable vineyard scenery, this is the Saint-Émilion experience you've been searching for.
Highlights
- Ride beyond Saint-Émilion on scenic gravel trails
- Private round-trip transfer from Bordeaux
- French picnic surrounded by vineyards
- Optional stop at a family-owned winery
- Free time in UNESCO-listed Saint-Émilion
- Premium gravel bikes & small-group experience
Included
- Private round-trip transfer from Bordeaux
- Expert guide passionate about the region
- Carefully designed cycling itinerary
- Gravel bike rental
- Helmet
- French style picnic lunch (cheese, charcuterie, bread, saisonnal vegetables & cannelé sweet cake)
- Small-group experience (maximum 4 guests)
- Souvenir photos taken with an action camera
Not included
- Winery visit and wine tasting (available as an optional extra, from 25€/participant)
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Bring along
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Sport shoes
- Confortable clothes
- Cycling shorts if possible
- Rainwear according to the weather
- Refillable water bottle
Optional extras
- Visit to a winery with wine tasting
- E-gravel bike upgrade
- Private tour
Before you ride
Everything you need to know before exploring the Saint-Émilion countryside by gravel bike.
Why explore Saint-Émilion by bike?
Saint-Émilion is much more than its famous medieval village. By bike, you'll discover peaceful vineyard roads, rolling hills, family-owned estates and charming wine villages that most visitors never see. Cycling allows you to experience the region at a slower pace, stop whenever a landscape catches your eye and truly connect with the countryside. It's one of the most rewarding and authentic ways to explore this UNESCO-listed wine region.
Is this tour suitable for beginners?
Yes. This experience is designed for recreational cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness. The route covers approximately 30 km (19 miles) at a relaxed pace, with regular stops to enjoy the scenery, learn about the region and take photos. While some short hills are part of the Saint-Émilion landscape, they are manageable for most riders, and an e-gravel bike upgrade is available for extra comfort.
Why use gravel bikes?
Gravel bikes are the perfect choice for exploring the Saint-Émilion countryside. They combine the efficiency of a road bike with the comfort and stability needed for gravel tracks, vineyard paths and quiet country roads. This allows us to leave busy roads behind and access beautiful places that traditional road bikes or tour buses simply can't reach.
What's the difference between this tour and the Bordeaux–Saint-Émilion ride?
Our Bordeaux–Saint-Émilion experience is a point-to-point journey, cycling all the way from Bordeaux to the medieval village. This tour offers a different perspective. After a private transfer from Bordeaux, you'll enjoy a scenic loop through the surrounding wine region, exploring hidden villages, vineyard trails and panoramic landscapes before spending free time in Saint-Émilion. It's the ideal choice for travellers who want to discover more of the countryside in a single day.
Do I need wine knowledge?
Not at all. This experience is designed for anyone curious about the landscapes, history and culture of the Saint-Émilion wine region. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply enjoy spending time outdoors, you'll appreciate the beauty of the vineyards and the stories behind this remarkable area. If you'd like to learn more about local wines, an optional winery visit can easily be added to your day.
Can non-drinkers enjoy this experience?
Absolutely. While wine is an important part of the region's heritage, this experience is about much more than tasting wine. It's about cycling through spectacular landscapes, discovering picturesque villages, enjoying a French picnic and immersing yourself in the unique atmosphere of the Saint-Émilion countryside. The optional winery stop can be skipped without affecting the quality of the day.
When is the best season?
The tour is available from spring to autumn, when the vineyards and countryside are at their most beautiful. Spring offers lush green landscapes and quiet roads, summer brings long sunny days, while autumn transforms the vineyards into vibrant shades of gold and red during the harvest season. Each season offers a different atmosphere, making Saint-Émilion a rewarding destination throughout the cycling season.
Why does the tour start with a private transfer from Bordeaux?
Starting with a private transfer means you spend less time getting to the vineyards and more time enjoying them. Instead of cycling through suburban areas, you'll begin your ride in the heart of the Saint-Émilion wine region, where the most scenic roads and gravel trails begin. This approach creates a more immersive experience while allowing you to discover a greater variety of landscapes, villages and viewpoints in a single day.
6 good raisons to choose Gravel Explore
- We are a Bordeaux based company, we carefully-select the most authentic routes.
- We take you to the non commercial and authentic wineries we love.
- We provide you with recent and high-end bikes.
- We are epicurean adventurers, we share with you the adresses we love.
- Your only concern is to enjoy exceptional routes and magnificent landscapes.
- Sustainability : Low carbon footprint & humanitarian NGO partnership.