# Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux > Saint-Émilion is a medieval hilltop town among vineyards 35 kilometres east of Bordeaux, listed by UNESCO together with its vines. Its steep cobbled lanes lead to an 11th-century monolithic church carved entirely out of limestone, one of Europe's largest underground churches. From the King's Tower you see a sea of vineyards, the cellars pour famous Merlot-based red wine, and the shops bake almond macaroons from a 1620 recipe. Allow half a day or a day. Web page: https://yesgo.io/france/bordeaux/saint-emilion - City: [Bordeaux](https://yesgo.io/france/bordeaux), France - YesGo score: 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 4 h - Opening hours: Town always open; underground church by tour, daytime - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Town free; underground church by tour - From Bordeaux: ≈ 35 km; train ≈ 35–40 minutes - UNESCO: Since 1999, town and vineyards - Wine: Merlot and Cabernet Franc, Right Bank - Duration: ≈ half a day to a day - Location: Libournais, right bank of the Dordogne - Coordinates: 44.89433, -0.15572 - Facts checked: 12.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1999** — UNESCO listing (source: English Wikipedia) - **15,000 m³** — of rock removed to carve the church (source: English Wikipedia) - **1620** — macaroons made here since (source: English Wikipedia) - **67%** — of the commune is vineyard (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Saint-Émilion Saint-Émilion is a medieval town on a limestone hill amid vineyards, on the right bank of the Dordogne east of Bordeaux. The Romans planted vines here in the 2nd century, and in the 4th the poet Ausonius praised the wine. The town is named after the Breton monk **Émilion**, who settled in a rock cave in the 8th century; the monks who followed him began making wine to sell. Saint-Émilion lay on the **Way of St James**, so monasteries and churches were built, and in 1199 the town received its rights. In **1999** the town and surrounding vineyards were added to the **UNESCO** list as an example of centuries of winemaking culture. Vines cover more than two-thirds of the commune. ## What to see - **The monolithic church** — an 11th-century church carved from rock. - **The King's Tower** — a 1237 keep with a vineyard view. - **Steep lanes** — cobbled slopes between stone houses. - **The Cordeliers cloister** — ruins and sparkling wine. - **Wine cellars** — Merlot and Cabernet Franc tastings. - **Macaroon shops** — almond biscuits to an old recipe. ## The underground church Saint-Émilion's great wonder is the **monolithic church** of the late 11th to early 12th century, carved entirely out of a limestone cliff. It's one of Europe's largest underground churches: some **15,000 cubic metres** of rock were removed to make it. The main hall, 38 metres long and 20 wide, is divided into three naves by massive stone pillars. Its walls were once painted; today only fragments of frescoes and carved lions, serpents, centaurs and cherubim remain. It was probably made to honour the relics of Saint Émilion. You can only go inside on a tour from the tourist office, which also shows the catacombs and the monk's hermitage. > **When to come** The best times are **spring and September**, when the harvest begins. On the third Sunday of **June** the Jurade brotherhood proclaims its verdict on the new wine from the King's Tower, and on the third Sunday of **September** the start of the harvest, with jurats parading in red robes. A jazz festival runs at the end of July. Book the underground church tour ahead. ## Saint-Émilion wine Saint-Émilion is one of Bordeaux's leading red-wine areas. Here on the Right Bank the wines are based on **Merlot** and **Cabernet Franc**, unlike the Left Bank Médoc with its Cabernet Sauvignon. The local wine classification dates from 1955 and is revised every few years. The **Jurade** brotherhood was founded by King John of England in 1199 and revived in 1948; today 140 jurats in red robes promote Saint-Émilion wine around the world. The town has dozens of wine shops, and nearby châteaux offer tours and tastings by appointment. ## The town and its macaroons Saint-Émilion is built on a slope, so its streets are steep cobbled ramps the locals call **tertres**. The **King's Tower**, a 1237 keep about 15 metres high, looks out over tiled roofs, the bell tower and the sea of vineyards around. Be sure to try **Saint-Émilion macaroons**: a simple biscuit of ground almonds, sugar and egg whites, baked here since 1620 to the Ursuline nuns' recipe. They're nothing like the colourful Parisian macarons. ## How to get there 1. By TER train from Bordeaux Saint-Jean to Saint-Émilion station, 35–40 minutes, then a 15–20-minute uphill walk. 2. Or by train to Libourne, then a bus or taxi, 15 minutes. 3. By car from Bordeaux, 45 minutes. 4. On a wine-route tour from Bordeaux, a full day. ## Tips for your visit Allow half a day for Saint-Émilion, a full day with a château tasting. The streets are very steep and slippery after rain, so wear good shoes; it's hard going with a pushchair. Trains are infrequent, so check the return times. Saint-Émilion combines easily with a day in Bordeaux on the riverfront and squares. Many châteaux receive visitors by appointment only, so book visits in advance. When tasting, remember the drive back: if you're driving, take a guided tour or go by train. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Book the underground church tour - [ ] Climb the King's Tower - [ ] Try the macaroons - [ ] Book a château tasting - [ ] Check the train back ## Places in Bordeaux: compare and choose Places in Bordeaux rated by YesGo. - [Saint-Émilion](https://yesgo.io/france/bordeaux/saint-emilion) — YesGo score 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free ## Don't mix it up Saint-Émilion is the town and wine area near Bordeaux; 'Saint-Émilion' is also the name of the appellation's wine. ## Tips - Underground church by tour. - Shoes for steep streets. - Local macaroons. - Châteaux by appointment. ## Questions ### How do I get to Saint-Émilion from Bordeaux? By TER train in 35–40 minutes or by car in 45. ### What is there to see in Saint-Émilion? The monolithic church, the King's Tower, the lanes and the wine cellars. ### Can you visit the underground church? Yes, only on a tour from the tourist office. ### How long do I need in Saint-Émilion? Half a day, a full day with a tasting. ### What should I try in Saint-Émilion? The local red wine and almond macaroons. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Prices and tour and train times weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Saint-Émilion - Saint-Émilion tourist office, saint-emilion-tourisme.com --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.