Saint-Émilion brings together underground religious heritage, medieval architecture, and a wine-growing landscape that is still cultivated today. When planning a cultural and wine-focused stay, you can choose from different highlights: a tour of underground monuments, the landmark Tour du Roy, and experiences centered on wine and vineyards. If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Émilion, you could first consider which of these aspects of the destination you would like to shape your stay. The programs differ in theme, itinerary, and schedule.

Four monuments on an underground tour

The tour Saint-Émilion Underground lasts 45 minutes to one hour. Its program includes four underground monuments: the Hermitage of Émilion, the Chapelle de la Trinité with its medieval paintings, the catacombs, and the monolithic church. A guided visit thus brings together several facets of the underground religious heritage. The doors to the underground monuments can only be opened as part of a guided tour. As the duration, program, and access rules may change, it is best to check the latest tour information before your visit.

Church, grotto, and underground galleries

The Hermitage, or grotto, of Saint-Émilion and the monolithic church are among the town’s most important religious buildings. The church has a bell tower and is considered the second-largest monolithic church in the world. Both buildings represent different aspects of the religious heritage also covered by the tour Saint-Émilion Underground. Beyond the individual monuments, underground galleries shape the town: Saint-Émilion has 200 kilometers of these galleries. The limestone found there was used in several buildings in the region, including in Bordeaux. This connects the history of the underground heritage with the use of regional building materials.

The Tour du Roy and wine traditions

The Tour du Roy adds a medieval dimension to the religious buildings. Built in 1237 by order of Henry III, King of England and Duke of Aquitaine, the keep is the only Romanesque keep in the Gironde department. From there, the Jurade of Saint-Émilion announces its judgment on the new wine on the third Sunday in June. On the third Sunday in September, it proclaims the Ban des Vendanges from the Tour du Roy. The two dates mark different moments in the wine year: June focuses on the new wine, while September marks the beginning of the grape harvest. As the precise event arrangements may change, check the latest dates and program details if you would like to plan your stay around them.

Wine-growing landscape and route to the winery

The Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is characterized by a landscape consisting entirely of vineyards that are still cultivated today. A tour to a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé winery follows small paths and passes viewpoints on the way to a winery, ending with a guided wine tasting. Its focus therefore differs clearly from a visit to underground monuments: here, the route to a winery and the tasting are part of the program. The route and participating winery may change, so check the latest tour information before your visit.

Plan your stay around your interests

A guided tour of the underground monuments has a clear duration of 45 minutes to one hour. The winery tour, by contrast, combines small paths and viewpoints with a guided wine tasting. You can use these differences to tailor your search for hotels in Saint-Émilion to the experiences that matter to you during your stay.

Discover more destinations

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