Saint-Émilion: Self-Guided Walking Tour (2025)

Step into this sun-drenched square and you immediately sense the village’s ancient heartbeat beneath your feet. The vast monolithic church looms ahead, its façade a seamless expanse of living limestone that seems to glow in the morning light. As you circle the perimeter, notice the subtle variations in the stone’s texture—each groove and weathered surface telling of centuries of pilgrims passing this way.

Pause at the western entrance where a small niche once held a statue of Saint Émilion himself. Local tradition holds that water drawn from the hidden spring beneath the rock will grant peace to troubled souls; many visitors still perform the ritual, dipping their fingers and touching the stone. Above you, tiny clerestory windows slice shafts of light into the church’s vaulted interior, promising a glimpse of the wonders below.

When you’re ready, descend the steep narrow staircase and listen to your footsteps echo in the cool hush of the nave. The soaring columns—carved straight from the cliff—lift your gaze upward, where Gothic ribbing meets Romanesque simplicity. Here, in the heart of the rock, the boundary between earth and sky feels suspended, and you share the same sacred space that Émilion’s followers first made their sanctuary.

N.B. The Trinity Chapel, Monolithic Church, catacombs, and hermitage are only accessible with a £15pp Saint-Émilion Underground Tour from the Tourist office (located in the square above, by the Monolith Tower) or buy online.

The Trinity Chapel in Saint-Émilion is a historic religious site dating back to the 13th century. Originally built as an oratory above the Grotte de l’Ermitage. The chapel was constructed in a transitional style, blending Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements, with its apse being the oldest surviving part of the structure. Inside, visitors can admire well-preserved 14th-century paintings, which depict religious scenes in vivid colors.

In the heart of St- Émilion is the hermitage—a small, cross-shaped cave that’s accessed through Chapelle de la Trinité. It is believed to be the cave where Saint Émilion, a Breton monk, lived as a hermit in the 8th century. Seeking solitude and devotion, he carved out a simple dwelling in the limestone rock, which later became a place of pilgrimage. Over time, the site was expanded, and by the 11th century, it was incorporated into the vast underground sanctuary that includes the Monolithic Church.

One of the most intriguing features of the hermitage is the seat of fertility, a carved stone chair that, according to legend, grants fertility to those who sit on it. This belief has persisted for centuries, making the hermitage a site of both religious and cultural significance. The underground space also contains a burial crypt, which is said to be the final resting place of Saint Émilion himself.

The Monolithic Church of Saint-Émilion is one of the largest underground churches in Europe, carved directly into limestone in the 12th century. Its name comes from the Greek words “mono” (single) and “lithos” (stone), referring to its unique construction from a single rock formation. The church was built to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims visiting the tomb of Saint Émilion, a Breton monk who settled in the area in the 8th century. Over the centuries, it has undergone various transformations—painted in the 14th century, damaged in the 16th century, and restored in the 20th century. The church’s façade features three openings and a Gothic portal, often closed, adding to its mysterious allure.

Beneath the Monolithic Church, the catacombs serve as a burial site for monks and notable figures from Saint-Émilion’s past. These underground galleries contain tombs carved into the rock, reflecting the town’s medieval traditions. The Last Judgment portal, added in the 15th century, depicts Christ seated between the Virgin Mary and Saint John, with resurrected souls below.

The Bell Tower of the Monolithic Church of Saint-Émilion is one of the most iconic landmarks in the town, standing 68 meters tall and offering breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards and medieval streets. Built between the 12th and 15th centuries, the tower showcases a blend of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles, reflecting the evolving construction techniques of the time. In the 16th century, its base was reinforced to ensure stability, making it a lasting symbol of Saint-Émilion’s religious and cultural heritage. The tower’s slender yet solid structure highlights its role as both a spiritual beacon and a demonstration of medieval engineering.

Visitors can climb the 196 steps to the top, where they are rewarded with a panoramic view of the town and its famous wine-producing region. The ascent allows guests to appreciate the craftsmanship of the stonework, which has withstood centuries of history, including wars and revolutions. The bell tower has played a significant role in local traditions, including the Jurade of Saint-Émilion, a historic wine brotherhood that announces the Ban des Vendanges (Harvest Proclamation) from its heights.

Tickets to climb the tower are available at the Tourist office.

The Collégiale Saint-Émilion is one of the most significant religious monuments in Saint-Émilion, France. Built in the 12th century, it served as the home of a college of canons who followed the Rule of Saint Augustine. These canons were responsible for overseeing religious life in the town, ensuring that spiritual practices aligned with the broader church doctrine. Over the centuries, the church underwent architectural transformations, incorporating Gothic elements in the 13th and 15th centuries, which added to its grandeur.

The Collégiale is not just a place of worship but also a center of historical and artistic significance. Its cloister, a peaceful courtyard surrounded by elegant arcades, was once the heart of monastic life, where canons gathered for prayer and reflection. The walls of the cloister feature richly decorated tombs from the 13th and 14th centuries, marking the resting places of local nobility and religious figures. Today, visitors can explore the Collégiale and its cloister, admiring the intricate stonework and the serene atmosphere that has endured for centuries.

N.B. Accesss to the Collégiale Saint-Émilion is via the tourist office.

The King’s Fountain, located on Rue de la Grande Fontaine in Saint-Émilion, is one of the town’s historic washhouses, dating back to the 19th century. This fountain was an essential source of water for the community, serving both practical and social functions. Unlike smaller fountains in the town, the King’s Fountain was covered, providing shelter for washerwomen from wealthier districts who gathered here to clean clothes and exchange news. The fountain’s decorated front wall, featuring intricate stonework, reflects the town’s commitment to maintaining its public spaces.

According to legend, the King’s Fountain is supplied by an underground source that was miraculously created by Saint Émilion in the 8th century. This same water source also feeds the Place Fountain, which was used by washerwomen from the town’s popular districts. Today, the King’s Fountain remains a picturesque and refreshing stop in the lower part of Saint-Émilion, offering visitors a glimpse into the town’s past. Its location near the King’s Keep makes it an ideal spot for those exploring the medieval streets and fortifications of Saint-Émilion.

La Tour du Roy in Saint-Émilion is the only intact Romanesque keep in the Gironde region, standing as a powerful symbol of medieval architecture. Built in the 13th century, its origins remain debated—some historians attribute its construction to Louis VIII of France in 1224, while others believe it was commissioned by Henry III Plantagenet in 1237 when Saint-Émilion returned to English control. Regardless of its origins, the tower played a crucial role in the town’s defense, standing on a rocky outcrop isolated from all sides, with natural caves and quarries beneath it.

The quadrangular tower, measuring 14.5 meters high and 9.5 meters wide, is divided into three levels and reinforced with flat buttresses along its exterior walls. Some experts suggest that the tower was not built by a king but rather by the Jurade of Saint-Émilion, the town’s governing body, to symbolize its newfound autonomy. The Jurade, which was dissolved during the French Revolution, was later revived in 1948 as a wine brotherhood, promoting Saint-Émilion wines worldwide. Today, the Jurade still uses the tower for ceremonial events, including the Ban des Vendanges, the official proclamation of the grape harvest. Visitors can climb the 118 steps to the top of La Tour du Roy, where they are rewarded with a panoramic view of Saint-Émilion and its surrounding vineyards.

The Logis de Malet in Saint-Émilion is a historic building dating back to the 16th century. It was constructed against the perimeter wall from the 1200s, which was originally made up of the rear facades of Romanesque houses. Over time, the building underwent several modifications, particularly during the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of Religion, when defensive features like machicolations were added to deter attackers. The Logis de Malet is easily recognizable by its steep gable, a distinctive architectural feature known as “à la guise de France”.

In the 18th century, the Malet de Roquefort family expanded the Logis de Malet, adding a classical façade with a gallery on the garden side. The building also had various annexes, including cellars, stables, and an orangery, though these no longer exist today. In 1879, the town hall purchased the property and converted it into a local school, leading to further changes, such as the removal of its crenelated garden wall to widen the road. By the late 19th century, part of the medieval defense wall was demolished to create space for the present-day road and square, opening the town to the surrounding countryside.

Just off the lively Place de la Cadène stands the Mairie de Saint-Émilion, its elegant 19th-century façade softened by climbing ivy and shaded by manicured hedges. The arched windows and modest belfry reflect the town’s graceful architectural lineage. Step inside to the entrance hall, where black-and-white photographs chronicle local festivals and municipal milestones.

In the council chamber, richly paneled walls and framed portraits of past mayors create an atmosphere of continuity. You can almost hear the debates that shaped the village’s growth, from wine regulations to heritage preservation. Though the Mairie remains a working government office, it welcomes visitors curious about civic life here.

The Grande Muraille of Saint-Émilion, also known as Les Grandes Murailles, is the last remaining wall of a 12th-century Dominican monastery. Originally, the monastery was a grand structure, but it was deliberately destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War, leaving only this striking fragment standing.

The Dominicans, a mendicant order, relied on charitable donations and lived modestly. However, the height and scale of the remaining wall suggest that the monks of Saint-Émilion may not have adhered strictly to their vow of poverty. The monastery was strategically located near the town’s fortifications, making it a refuge and observation point during conflicts between the French and English.

Today, the Grande Muraille stands proudly at the edge of a vineyard, now part of Château Les Grandes Murailles, adding a picturesque element to the landscape.

The Palais-Royal in Saint-Émilion, also known as the Palais Cardinal, dates back to the 12th century and was originally part of the town’s fortified perimeter. It was associated with Gaillard de la Mothe, the nephew of Pope Clement V, who held the title of Cardinal of Sainte-Luce. The structure was not a royal palace in the traditional sense but rather a grand residence that reflected the wealth and influence of its occupants. Built with Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements, it featured twin bays, decorative stonework, and fortified walls, which were integrated into the town’s defenses. The façade, which still stands today, was once part of the city’s perimeter wall, demonstrating how medieval houses were built to serve both residential and defensive purposes.

Today, visitors can admire the ruins of the Palais-Royal, which remain visible from outside the city. The remnants of its arched windows and finely carved stonework provide insight into the architectural grandeur of Saint-Émilion’s medieval past. The presence of latrine pipes in the ruins suggests that the building was designed with a level of comfort uncommon in medieval structures. While the site is not open for public visits, it can be viewed from the surrounding streets, offering a glimpse into the town’s rich history.

The Porte Brunet is one of the last remaining medieval gates in Saint-Émilion, France. Built in the 12th century, it was part of the town’s fortifications, commissioned by the English to protect the prosperous village. Unlike other gates that were destroyed over time, the Porte Brunet has survived, offering a glimpse into the town’s medieval past.

The gate takes its name from the Gascon word “Branet”, meaning moorland or clearing, as it originally opened onto the countryside. Measuring 9.5 meters long and 3.9 meters wide, it features two arches and a stunner, a defensive opening through which defenders could throw stones or boiling water at attackers. In the 17th century, the passage was widened to allow carts to pass through, and remnants of wooden doors on hinges are still visible today.

Excavations have uncovered the foundations of an entrance châtelet, represented today by circular paving on either side of the bridge entrance. The Brunet Gate was strategically positioned near the Bouqueyre Gate, allowing defenders to monitor access points to the town. During the Hundred Years’ War, additional fortifications were added, including the Guetteur Tower, which helped oversee movement between the upper and lower parts of Saint-Émilion.

The Couvent des Cordeliers in Saint-Émilion is a historic Franciscan monastery dating back to the 14th century. The Cordeliers, a branch of the Franciscan order, were known for their simple lifestyle and dedication to prayer, preaching, and charity. Originally, their convent was located outside the town walls, but due to conflicts during the Hundred Years’ War, they were granted permission to build a new monastery within Saint-Émilion in 1383.

The convent included a church, cloister, garden, winery, and underground cellars, which are still in use today. After the French Revolution, the monastery was abandoned, and its buildings fell into disrepair. However, in the 19th century, the site was repurposed for winemaking, and today, it is famous for producing Crémant de Bordeaux, a sparkling wine made using traditional methods. Visitors can explore the cloister ruins, enjoy wine tastings, and take guided tours of the historic cellars

The Porte de la Cadène is a historic gateway in Saint-Émilion, notable for its Gothic ogival arch. It was one of the few entrances to the town’s inner fortifications, separating the upper and lower parts of Saint-Émilion. The name “Cadène” is believed to come from the Gascon word “catena”, meaning “chain,” suggesting that a physical chain once controlled access between different sections of the town. The gate is located on Rue de la Cadène, near the last remaining timber-framed house in the village.

Next to the Porte is the Last Timber-Framed House of Saint-Émilion is the only surviving example of half-timbered architecture in the town. Dating back to the early 16th century, its façade showcases a construction style that was once common but has largely disappeared. The house features mullioned windows, a polygonal tower with a spiral staircase, and a small twin window on its southern façade. Some historians believe it was part of a larger urban complex, possibly connected to the Maison de la Commanderie across Rue Guadet.