Eglise Collégiale

Saint-Émilion, France

Saint-Émilion is a charming medieval village in France located in the heart of the famous Bordeaux wine area. It is a unique site with an interesting history where you can find world-famous wineries, fine wine, good food, beautiful architecture and great monuments. Saint-Émilion’s history goes back to prehistoric times and is a World Heritage site, with fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets. The Romans planted vineyards in what was to become Saint-Émilion as early as the 2nd century. In the 4th century, the Latin poet Ausonius lauded the fruit of the bountiful vine. The town was named after the monk Émilion, a travelling confessor, who settled in a hermitage carved into the rock there in the 8th century. It was the monks who followed him that started up the commercial wine production in the area. The limestone plateau on which the town was located was excavated for its stone which built all of the region’s stone buildings. Today it leaves 200km of tunnels under the town. The best way to explore Saint-Emilion is on foot and walking the many steep and cobbled streets. The architecture is very interesting and of course there are numerous cafes, wine bars and restaurants to stop at to rest and refresh yourself.