Port
Bordeaux, France
Activity Level
Moderate Activity
Excursion Type
Information Not Currently Available
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Starting At (prices in USD)
$140
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
Meals Included
Meals not included
Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion
Viticulture was introduced to this fertile region of Aquitaine by the Romans, and intensified in the Middle Ages. The Saint-Emilion area benefited from its location on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and many churches, monasteries and hospices were built there from the 11th century onwards. It was granted the special status of a 'jurisdiction' during the period of English rule in the 12th century. It is an exceptional landscape devoted entirely to wine-growing, with many fine historic monuments in its towns and villages.
There's no better place to begin a visit to the Bordeaux region than Saint Emilion -- heartland of the Merlot grape. The vines on the Hill of a Thousand Châteaux reach all the way up to Saint Emilion's 13th-century city walls. The surrounding moat is dug out of solid rock. Members of the local wine brotherhood, the Jurats, proclaim the vintage banns in much the same way as their ancestors did during the reign of Richard the Lionheart.
Enjoy a guided walking tour of this village and see its most important monuments -- the Collegiale Church with its magnificent 12th-century cloister, the ramparts, and the old marketplace.
Visit the Underground Church, set in a natural grotto. Consecrated by the Benedictine monks, it represents the ultimate Christian transformation of natural caves used for religious purposes, from the first century AD to the present day. Beside the church, the catacombs include a charnel house and a number of sepulchers from the 11th and 12th centuries.
Strolling with your guide on a walking tour through the streets of St Emilion, you'll see the Cadene Gate and the King's Tower. Then, enjoy free time to explore the village on your own before returning to the pier.
Please note: Tour involves hilly terrain and cobblestone streets. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a light jacket or sweater for the underground portion. Use of an audio headset (included) will enhance your tour experience.