Above ground…
There is much to discover, including the gorgeous half-timbered medieval Maison de la Cadène; the soaring bell tower of the Monolithic Church, the King’s Keep, the Collegiate Church and Cloister, gates and ramparts, and the market hall where markets are held on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. And after walking up and down the steep, narrow, cobbled streets known as ‘tertres’ you will have earned some refreshment at one of the many excellent restaurants.
Below ground…
For centuries, up until the 1800s, this area was heavily mined for stone, which was used to build much of Saint-Émilion and also Bordeaux and other towns in the region. The Monolithic Church, as its name suggests, was partially dug out of the stone and can be visited as part of a guided tour which also includes St Émilion’s hermitage, Trinity Chapel and the catacombs, stone carvings and medieval paintings.
Wine tasting
In 1999, the vineyards of St Émilion were added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO as a ‘Cultural Landscape’, recognising the landscape’s historical heritage and its ongoing activity. This was the first time a vineyard had been included on this list. There are numerous wine domaines and ‘caves’ in the area where you can taste Saint-Émilion and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wines, and often a visit of the winery is possible.
