Welcome to Saint-Emilion

Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site

During the 8th century, a monk named Emilion, from Vannes in Brittany, chose as his place of retreat Ascumbas (the former name of the village of Saint-Emilion). Because of the miracles he performed, his renown was such that many disciples came to join him here.

Emilion evangelised the population, thus creating a large monastic village to which his faithful followers gave his name. This holy man died in 767, having spent the last seventeen years of his life in his hermitage, around which were built the village of Saint-Emilion and its exceptional troglodytic constructions.

Saint-Emilion is a medieval village located in the heart of the renowned Bordeaux winegrowing region. It is unique of its kind because of the many wine estates here producing top-quality wines well-known worldwide and for its exceptional architecture. Filled with history, perched on a rocky headland, the specific feature of Saint-Emilion and its vineyards is the limestone upon which they lie.

Between the 9th and 19th centuries, rock was extracted to construct the buildings of this village and the majority of manor houses at surrounding wine estates. Of interest too are 200 kilometres of catacombs, underground galleries, and the largest monolithic church in Europe.

This precious limestone also makes an extraordinary contribution to the sub-soil, giving a wealth of minerals to the vines of Saint-Emilion, which produce acclaimed great growth wines.

Since December 1999, Saint-Emilion in the Gironde has become an integral part of the abundance of key heritage sites in France and delights thousands of tourists who come from all over the world to visit this unique village.

Places to visit in Saint-Emilion:

Saint-Emilion's hermitage
The Trinity Chapel
The catacombs
The monolithic church, known for being the world's second monolithic church
The winegrowing area of Saint-Emilion
The King's Tower, a keep-citadel; it was constructed in 1237 upon the orders of Henry III, King of England and Duke of Aquitaine. It is the only keep of Roman style in the Gironde.
Numerous local wine estates

For further information, you can visit the Saint-Emilion Tourist Information Office website: www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com
or ask for details by telephone: +33 (0)5 57 55 28 28