saint-emilion-ia

7 stunning villages around Bordeaux worthy of a Miyazaki or Wes Anderson film

undefined undefined 4 septembre 2025 undefined 08h30

The Editor

Image fictive générée avec l'IA de Saint-Emilion à la manière du Studio Ghibli

If the Ghibli studios or Wes Anderson were looking for a setting for their next film, they wouldn't have to go far. Around Bordeaux, some villages seem to be straight out of a parallel world: pastel colors, leaning houses, flower-filled streets, and suspended landscapes. Here are 7 gems less than an hour's drive away.

1. Saint-Émilion – The Enchanted Hill

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this medieval town is a natural wonder: winding cobblestone streets, secret troglodyte caves, and a breathtaking view of an ocean of vineyards. It’s easy to get lost here, just like in a Miyazaki dream.


2. Rions – The Pastel Village

Perched on the heights above the Garonne, Rions unfolds its streets adorned with honey-colored facades. Its medieval ramparts and tiny vaulted doors have a charmingly quaint appeal, perfect for a Wes Anderson set.


3. Saint-Macaire – The Timeless

With its medieval arches, ancient frescoes, and squares that seem almost frozen in time, Saint-Macaire looks like an open-air movie set. You almost expect to see costumed characters popping out from every corner!

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4. La Réole – The Balcony Over the Garonne

Overlooking the river, this former royal city captivates with its Benedictine abbey, its charming old market halls, and its timber-framed houses. A perfect balance of majesty and provincial warmth.


5. Cadillac – The Elegance of Graphics

Its castle of the Dukes of Épernon, its ramparts, and its geometric layout remind us of the ultra-symmetric compositions of Anderson. Add in some blue shutters and a few tremiere roses, and the magic happens.


6. Bazas – The Cathedral in Majesty

In the center, there's a monumental Gothic cathedral; around it, colorful half-timbered houses, arcades, and a lively square. Here, time stretches out like the slow, contemplative scenes of a Ghibli film.


7. Blaye – The Citadel of a Thousand Stories

Nestled within Vauban's fortifications, the town of Blaye offers a stunning view of the estuary. As you wander through cobbled streets, secret passages, and charming stone shops, you'll drift between poetry and grandeur.