Saint-Emilion
For a cultural, gourmet holiday, the medieval town of Saint Emilion has something for everyone at the heart of the Libournais area. Discover remarkable architecture among vineyards with beautiful open views across the Dordogne Valley.
The unique wine-growing region was the first to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site !
History lovers have plenty to see here : the historic centre is full of medieval buildings, reflecting the image of a town which has traversed many centuries. First of all climb the 53m tower of the monolithic church and admire the breathtaking view from the top ! Then go down into the depths of the underground church, hollowed out of the rock, to discover the largest monolithic church in Europe. Adjoining the building are catacombs with many sarcophagi including a tombstone confirming the presence of relics of Aemilianus, who founded the village in the 8th century. The Hermitage of Aemilianus is another absolute must to visit. Finish your tour by going up the Tour du Roy, a 13th century keep where the ‘Jurats’ (municipal magistrates) used to announce the start of the grape harvest in September.
Stroll through the labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets in this delightful old village, stopping here and there in art and craft shops. And don’t forget to stop to taste the most famous vintage wines of the region, split into 4 designated areas : Saint Emilion, Saint Emilion Grand Cru, Lussac Saint Emilion, Puisseguin Saint Emilion. To perfect your knowledge of wine and tasting techniques, make a date at the Ecole du Vin de la Maison des Vins de Saint Emilion ! After a day full of emotion and amazement, finish on a sweet note by tasting the local speciality – ‘Macarons de Saint Emilion’ !
Visit the Saint Emilion wine-growing area
The village offers guided tours which are a blend of culture and gastronomy and many tourist trails. You can discover the UNESCO vineyards on foot, by bike, car, motorbike, tuktuk, on horseback and even by hot-air balloon ! Children can have fun exploring the village during treasure hunts like the Pistes de Robin, a little explorer who invites children aged 5 – 12 to discover Saint Emilion by solving puzzles and riddles.
To cut a long story short, it’s an enchanting place. As Marine from Gîtes de France, Gironde says : « I love going to Saint Emilion at the end of the day when the sun is beginning to set, making all the buildings in the village shimmer with gold. I love the stark contrast with the green of the vines. The atmosphere changes and becomes almost mystical, as if we had gone back hundreds of years. The little village restaurants are an idyllic place for a romantic evening…»
Helpful hint : to ensure an easy and trouble-free walk around the village, make sure you wear flat shoes !
To get to Saint Emilion, take N89 from Bordeaux then the D1089.
Car parks are available outside the village.
You can also come by train, but please note the station is 1.8km from the village.
