Saint-Émilion, in the Gironde, is a medieval village of honey-coloured stone, perched on a hillside at the heart of a world-renowned wine region. The Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion is a UNESCO World Heritage site as a living cultural landscape, with its vineyards, châteaux, churches and sloping lanes.
Among its curiosities, the monolithic church, carved into the limestone, the catacombs, the bell tower and the Tour du Roy overlook the rooftops. The village is also known for its wines, made mainly from merlot and cabernet franc, and for its macarons and canelés. Tastings at the wine estates let you discover the classified grands crus.
About forty minutes from Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion can be visited in a day and combined with Pomerol and the Dordogne valley. For a quieter visit, come on a weekday, out of season, and book visits and tastings in advance.