Saint-Émilion, tourist place in the Bordeaux wine region

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East of Bordeaux, on the right bank of the river Dordogne, the areas of Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac, Côtes de Francs and Côtes de Castillon are located. The collective name for these areas is the Libournais, which comes from the most important city in the area: the port city Libourne. The informal wine capital of this region is Saint-Émilion with one of the oldest active wine regions in the Bordeaux region and vineyards dating back to Roman times. It is a beautiful place to visit when staying in your holiday home near Bordeaux. Since 1999, the region of Saint-Émilion, the town itself and the 8 surrounding villages and vineyards, have been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Saint-Émilion is a pretty medieval village with narrow streets, beautiful historic buildings, cafes, boutiques, craft shops and restaurants. The main square of Saint-Émilion has terraces that are ideal for relaxing on with a glass of local wine. Restaurants serve seasonal dishes with French influences. Saint-Émilion has several historical and cultural attractions such as the Église Monolithe, Cordeliers Monastery, the Tour du Roy and the medieval Ramparts. Saint-Émilion is also known for its macarons, a local delicacy that is available in many stores.

Brittany in Saint-Émilion

DIscover the history of Saint-Émilion during your holiday in France. This goes back to the 8th century when Émilian was born to a noble family in Vannes, on the Gulf of Morbihan in Brittan. Later he was called Émilion. He left his luxurious life and opted for a religious life by joining a monastic community in Saujon near Royan which was 300km to the south. He found his search for a suitable place in a cave a little later Saint-Émilion. Soon other religious joined him. This created a settlement that grew into an important religious and agricultural center in the region. After his death, Saint Émilion was buried in his hermit's cave. A church, the Église Monolithe, was carved into the limestone rocks surrounding the cave. The region around Saint-Émilion was already suitable for viticulture when Émilion arrived, but the monks then played a major role in the further development of viticulture. In 1152, Aquitaine came under English rule, which promoted viticulture. Later, under the English king John Lackland, the city was given its own administration, the Jurade. From the 13th to the 16th century, whilst the riots that mark the beginning of the Hundred Years War start, the construction of the fortifications continues. Later, two religious communities settled within the village: the Franciscans, who were also known as the Cordeliers, and the Dominicans, who were also known as the Jacobins. The city successively passed from the English to the French crown until the peace treaty was signed in 1453 after the Battle of Castillon. The French Revolution  destroyed religious life and the Jurade was dissolved. The Wine Revolution began in the second half of the 18th century thanks to winery owners who were open to new ideas and new techniques. In 1884, the winegrowers of Saint-Emilion founded the first French winegrowers' union. In 1936, the appellation of Saint-Emilion was founded. The revival of the Jurade, a brotherhood with the aim of promoting the wines of Saint-Emilion, took place in 1948.

Highlights Saint-Émilion

  • Église Monolithe
  • Palais Cardinal
  • Maison Guadet
  • La Grande Muraille
  • Eglise Collégiale
  • Chapelle de la Trinité
  • Bell tower
  • Tour du Roy
  • Cloître des Cordeliers
  • Ramparts
  • Vineyards
  • Tours
  • Tastings
  • Grands Crus Classés
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Jurade
  • Ban des Vendanges
  • Vino Voce Festival
  • Macarons
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Wine culture in Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. It is located in the Bordeaux region, the region between the Atlantic coast with Seaside resorts and Lake Arcachon and the Dordogne Valley. The village and its vineyards have a rich history dating back to Roman times and have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The famous red wines that stem from this region, often come to mind when hearing the name Saint-Émilion. These wines are often of good quality and have a special classification system. The highest category is Premiers Grands Crus Classés, followed by the Grands Crus Classés: The wines labeled "Saint-Émilion Grand Cru" are produced under strict requirements for yield and alcohol content. Viticulture in Saint-Émilion began as early as the 2nd century AD, when the Romans established vineyards in the area. Monks, including the Benedictines and Cistercians, played a crucial role in improving grape cultivation and wine production. They laid the foundation for today's winemaking traditions. In 1884, local producers founded the first French Winegrowers' Syndicate to ensure quality standards. This led to the creation of appellations such as Saint-Émilion and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. The area covers about 5,565 hectares and is home to more than 800 wineries. They make use of the 70 km of underground passages in the region. The best Crus mature in this system of limestone tunnels: Ausone, Cheval Blanc, Angélus, Figeac, Canon la Gaffelière, Clos Fourtet. The fact that the wines have such a good quality is due to the exceptional microclimate in this region and the special soil quality: The climate is a temperate continental microclimate and the soil is a special combination and variation of clay, gravel, sand, and limestone soils. The Saint-Émilion Jurade, a medieval brotherhood, plays an important role in promoting the wines worldwide. They organize events such as the "Ban des Vendanges" to officially open the harvest. When staying in a holiday park in the Lot near to the wines of Cahors, then you must visit the wine region of Saint-Émilion.

Église Monolithe: Church in Saint-Émilion

The Église Monolithe, located in Saint-Émilion, France, is a remarkable underground church which is completely carved from limestone. The church has been given the name Église Monolithe, because it is made of a single piece of rock, a so-called monolith (Greek words mono(one) and Lithos(stone) ). It is the largest monolithic church in Europe and one of the most popular sights in the region Gironde. The church was built in the 12th century by Benedictine monks. The aim was to create a large space for pilgrims who wanted to visit the tomb of Saint Émilion, a Breton monk from the 8th century. This required 15,000 cubic meters of rock to be removed from the rocks. The church has a length of 38 meters and a height of 12 meters, with an imposing bell tower that rises 68 meters above the village. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of Saint-Émilion and the surrounding vineyards. You can enter the church from the market square by visiting the Gothic portal with religious images. The church was restored in the 20th century after prior damage due revolutions and conflicts. To this day it is still used for religious ceremonies, concerts and wine presentations such as those given by the Saint-Émilion Jurade. There are also guided tours of the underground spaces, catacombs and other historical monuments such as the hermitage residence of Saint Émilion. We highly recommend visiting this impressive building when staying in your holiday home on the Atlantic coast.

Cordeliers Monastery in St. Émilion

Located in the historic center of Saint-Émilion, the Cordeliers Monastery is a beautiful monument dating back to the 14th century. The monastery was founded by the Franciscans, known as the "Cordeliers" due to their distinctive rope belts. They followed the rules of Francis of Assisi. In 1338, the Cordeliers were given permission to build their monastery within the city walls. In 1789 the monastery was abandoned and was eventually sold as national property. The buildings fell into disrepair until they were later restored. The monastery is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The monastery has Monolithic columns and capitals, while the church has a simple but impressive structure. The remaining ruins, such as the colonnades and towers, are impressive and exude a romantic atmosphere. Beneath the monastery is a network of 3 kilometres of limestone tunnels and cellars at a depth of 17 meters. These provide ideal conditions (12°C and darkness) for the making and ripening of sparkling wines. Since the end of the 19th century, the sparkling wines Crémant de Bordeaux were produced here. The tradition began when the owner Meynot decided to apply techniques from the Champagne region to local grapes such as Merlot, Sémillon and Cabernet Franc. There are guided tours through the cellars where you can see the production process of Crémant de Bordeaux. In the courtyard of the monastery there are wine tastings and you can buy a picnic basket filled with local produce and sparkling wines for on the road.

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Tour and tasting

Saint-Émilion offers a wide range of wineries where you can participate in tours and tastings. There are also many wine routes in the area such as the Bordeaux wine routes or the Bergerac wine routes.
Château Villemaurine - Château Villemaurine offers guided tours of both the vineyards and the underground tunnels, providing a unique opportunity to discover the history and production of Saint-Émilion wines.
Château Coutet - Known for its organic vineyards, this centuries-old winery offers tours of historic buildings and picturesque surroundings. It is an excellent choice for those who appreciate sustainability and tradition.
Château Plaisance – Founded in 1886, this winery combines history with modern wine tasting. Visitors can enjoy Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc blends whilst going on an informative guided tour.
Château Franc Grâce-Dieu – This winery has a Bed and Breakfast and also offers tastings, making it ideal for visitors who want to stay longer. The cellar tours are sophisticated and informative.
Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC - In addition to tastings, there is also a photo exhibition, which makes it a cultural and educational experience. It's perfect for visitors who want to learn more about the region while sipping on local wines.
Château de Ferrand - Château de Ferrand offers extensive tours and tastings and has an excellent reputation with a great rating.

Medieval ramparts of Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is one of the few French towns with well-preserved medieval ramparts. Built between 1120 and 1224, these fortifications are an important historical feature of the city and show its rich past. The ramparts were built by the English to make Saint-Émilion, a prosperous trade and pilgrimage site, during their domination of Aquitaine in the Middle Ages. The village was an important location for wine trade and religious activities. The city wall stretches for more than a kilometre and has remained largely intact, which is exceptional for medieval towns and bastides in France. Originally, the wall had six city gates. The only remaining gate is La Porte Brunet, on the east side of the city. The other gates were destroyed during the French Wars of Religion in the 16th century. Take a walk on the ramparts and enjoy the view of the medieval village and surrounding vineyards.

Tour du Roy, the keep of Saint-Émilion

The Tour du Roy is located in the heart of Saint-Émilion. It is an impressive square keep dating back to the 13th century and the only intact Romanesque keep in Gironde. The tower has a height of 14.5 meters and has a square base of 9.5 meters. Including the rock plateau on which it stands, the tower has a total height of 32 meters. The walls are reinforced with flat buttresses, and the tower is spread over three levels. It is built entirely out of limestone. You can climb the tower via 118 steps to access the panoramic roof, which offers a nice view of Saint-Émilion and the surrounding vineyards. The origin of the tower is unclear. Possible builders include Louis VIII during his conquest of Aquitaine in 1224 or Henry III Plantagenet, King of England and Duke of Aquitaine, who brought Saint-Émilion back under English control in 1237. A third possibility is that the Jurade, the medieval city council, commissioned the construction.

Events in Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion offers a varied program of events throughout the year that celebrate wine, culture, history and local traditions. Taste the French atmosphere and visit it from your holiday home in the Dordogne.
Les Vins de Saint-Émilion (March): A running race through vineyards, combining sport and wine.
En Primeur Week (April): An event where professionals and wine lovers can taste the latest vintages of Saint-Émilion before they hit the market.
Open Doors Days (May): Wineries open their doors to visitors, with tours, tastings and workshops.
Philosophia Festival (May): A philosophical festival with lectures, debates and workshops on various topics, often combined with wine tastings.
Ban des Vendanges (September): The traditional harvest proclamation by the Jurade of Saint-Émilion, a medieval brotherhood. This event is the beginning of the grape harvest with a parade and wine ceremonies.
Vino Voce Festival (September): A unique festival that celebrates the art of voice with concerts, readings and performances in the historic surroundings of Saint-Émilion.
Celebration of UNESCO status (September): Special activities in honour of the World Heritage Site of Saint-Émilion, guided tours and cultural events.
Montgolfiades of Saint-Émilion (October): A hot air balloon festival in which dozens of balloons take off over the village and its vineyards, providing spectacular views.
Cycling tours through the vineyards: Organised cycling tours of castles and vineyards are offered throughout the year. During the summer months, there are weekly farmers' markets, wine tastings and cultural activities such as open-air concerts in the village and surrounding vineyards. You can also visit one of the other festive celebrations when in France.

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