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Visit Saint-Emilion

Saint Emilion is found just outside the western limit of the Dordogne, on the road towards Bordeaux.

You will recognise the name primarily becuse of its association with wine - Saint Emilion one of the four Bordeaux wine regions, and produces some of the very finest wine in the world. The village is surrounded by prestigious vineyards and chateaux, and there are ample opportunities to sample and buy the fine wines of the region.

The town itself dates from Roman times - it was also the Romans who introduced wine in the region. The village as it now is has its roots in the 8th century when a monk created a hermitage carved into the rock.

Even without wine, Saint Emilion would very much deserve a visit. It is a very attractive town, built in the attractive local yellow stone and with many historical buildings and monuments to explore along the winding streets.

After entering Saint Emilion through one of the stone gateways you will discover steep narrow streets lined with beautiful buildings, and various open squares. The higher you go the better the views across the rooftops and countryside. The centre of the town is an open square with the church emerging from the rock on one side, with an ample supply of cafes and restaurants

Highlights in the town include:

• the church and its cloister
• the Cordeliers monastery and cloister
• the Chateau du Roy
• the 13th century bell tower
• the underground pottery museum, located in a 12th century quarry and with pottery spanning the period from roman times to today

Much of St Emilion is hidden from view, deep underground in a labyrinth of passages and rooms. This part of the town can be visited on a guided tour, during which you will see the catacombs, the buried part of the church, the grotte where emilion lived in the 8th century, and other parts of the extensive underground labyrinth.

Note that Saint Emilion, and the surrounding region, is now a listed UNESCO 'World Heritage Site'.