Saint-Emilion, a vintage city !

First wine growing region listed by Unesco, 35 km east of Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion is a medieval town built in a limestone setting. La Tour du Roy (king's tower), built upon order of Edward II of England (end 12th - early 13th centuries) embraces the city, the prestigious vineyard around and the Dordogne valley. At the entrance of Saint-Emilion, coming from Libourne, the ruins of the Dominican convent are the only signs of a gothic church deserted during the Hundred Years War.

Emilion, a Breton 8th century monk, chose the hillsides of river Dordogne to meditate in peace. He established his hermitage in one of the limestone quarries, digging a latin cross-shaped shelter. He lived there as a troglodyte for 17 years. His stone sit, bed and altar can still be seen in the thickness of the walls. As a former baker, Saint Emilion gave bread to the poor and performed miracles. Joined by Benedictine monks, he gave his name to the religious city. After his death the largest monolithic church in France was built (8th to 12th centuries). In the nearby cliff, many galleries or catacombs were used as necropolis and graves : bones from the above cemetery were dumped through an opening at the top of the central dome.

Trinity Chapel was raised above the monolithic church in the 13th century by the Benedictine in memory of Saint-Emilion: restored frescoes and ribbed vaults with the symbolic lamb on the keystone. The 14th century gothic porch, main entrance to the Monolithic Church, leads to a vaulted path lined with tombs. On the tympanum : the Last Judgment and the Resurrection of the Dead. Saint-Emilion needs to be visited step by step: Porte de la Cadene (chain door), the magnificent Market Place at the foot of the Monolithic Church, King's Tower, the cloister of the Cordeliers Convent, the Collegiate Church, the medieval streets, the ramparts and Malet de Roquefort's house (15th century), the prestigious vineyards and the macarons, a pastry still made from the Ursulines' recipe since the 17th century.

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