Taxi Bordeaux → Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is the absolute jewel of the Bordeaux vineyard and one of the most visited sites in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 (the first vineyard in the world inscribed as a 'cultural landscape'), this medieval village perched on a limestone promontory overlooks an ocean of vines stretching as far as the eye can see. The most extraordinary monument is the monolithic church, the largest in Europe: carved entirely from rock in the 11th century, this underground church measuring 38 metres long and 20 metres high is supported by immense pillars cut from limestone. The guided tour (compulsory) descends into the catacombs, the Trinity chapel and this striking underground nave. Above, the Place du Marché with its panoramic terrace is the beating heart of the village. The cobbled lanes, ramparts, Tour du Roy (the only round keep in the Gironde), convents and cloisters form a medieval ensemble of rare coherence. On the wine front, Saint-Émilion has its own classification (distinct from the 1855 Médoc classification), revised every ten years: Château Cheval Blanc and Château Ausone sat at the top as 'Premiers Grands Crus Classés A'. The appellation has over 800 wine properties, from the most prestigious to the most accessible, offering an oenological experience for every budget.