On this solo journey, I have explored Bordeaux, Cadillac, Blaye, Bourg, and Libourne. Libourne lies northeast of Bordeaux and sits on the confluence of the Dordogne and the Isle rivers. Join me as we go beyond Libourne and explore the honey-colored village of Saint Émilion.
Saint-Émilion is a
honey-colored wine village in the Gironde department in southwest France, where
it gracefully adorns a rocky outcrop overlooking the Dordogne River
valley. In 1999, Saint-Émilion was awarded the title of Cultural Landscape by UNESCO; protecting its ancient architecture,
landscape, and historic vineyards that still produce world-famous wines
today. This quaint wine village will pull at your heartstrings with its
photogenic beauty, glistening limestone facades, and vine-laced vineyards.
The most practical piece of advice I can give you for
visiting Saint-Émilion is to wear sturdy walking shoes. You will thank me
later, as you navigate up and down those captivating winding lanes, all inlaid
with centuries-old shiny and slick ballast-cobblestones, beckoning you forward to explore this remarkably rich village.
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| Saint Émilion Monolithic Church |
Postcard-perfect Saint-Émilion is more than just renowned wines -
it will steal your heart with its landscape, history, and serene lifestyle. In
this blonde-colored wine village, just east of Bordeaux, perhaps the most
extraordinary site is what lies below ground, the Monolithic Church from the
twelfth century. 1300 years ago, a Breton monk named Émilion came to
this ancient town, then named Ascumbas, to escape religious persecution.
According to legend, he has an intriguing and curious story - Émilion lived and
existed in this dark and damp subterranean cavern-church, where it is said he
performed miracles. In this ancient story, Émilion was believed to have
carved a limestone seat that aided women in fertility, and during this period, more miracles appeared among his faithful followers. Many believed the
underground spring-fed pool of water used for baptism also cured blindness.
The most dramatic sight from afar is a rising steeple from
the corner of the Les Cordeliers: a fifteenth-century bell tower, soaring up
68 meters high above Saint-Émilion. Where climbing nearly 200 steps upward
situates you atop a glazed tile rooftop, with a majestic view across the valley
of lush vineyards and châteaux.
This lost-in-time storied town, Saint-Émilion, weaves
an incredible visual story that goes with its legendary origins through
Romanesque architecture, religious sites, and cultural indulgences. Simply put,
it is a one-of-a-kind destination. This beautiful town with its scarred
ramparts bears witness to battles, while weaving an amazing memoir. The truth is,
there are many such treasures in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwest
France, all waiting to be explored.
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