Details
Founded: 12th centuryCategory: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)
Rating
4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)
Interesting Sites Nearby
User Reviews
Shona Floyd (9 months ago)
My goodness what isn’t there to love about Saint-Emilion. What a stunningly beautiful place and the church is a cool, peaceful haven away from the crowded streets. As with all French churches of this era the inside is amazing. How they managed to build these structures & the fact they survive is a testament to the medieval architect's and builders. The surviving frescos on the walls are worth seeing and you can wander around the outside cloisters & picture the Monks from the 12th Century in silent contemplation. Worth a visit before you have a trip to one of the many wine shops
My goodness what isn’t there to love about Saint-Emilion. What a stunningly beautiful place and the church is a cool, peaceful haven away from the crowded streets. As with all French churches of this era the inside is amazing. How they managed to build these structures & the fact they survive is a testament to the medieval architect's and builders. The surviving frescos on the walls are worth seeing and you can wander around the outside cloisters & picture the Monks from the 12th Century in silent contemplation. Worth a visit before you have a trip to one of the many wine shops
GSN Reviews (10 months ago)
The monolithic church of Saint-Émilion is a breathtaking example of medieval architecture, carved entirely out of rock in the 11th and 12th centuries. This vast underground church, the largest of its kind in Europe, is a testament to the skill and dedication of the Benedictine monks who created it. The church was excavated from a considerable mass of stone, estimated at around 15 cubic meters. The central nave reaches an impressive height of 11 meters, while the Gothic windows in the western part bring natural light into the building. The church was once decorated with beautiful wall paintings, including a 12th-century Crucifixion, although only fragments remain today. One of the most striking features of the church is the intricate carvings in the underground galleries, which shed light on the spiritual significance of the building. These carvings depict scenes of temptation, evil, and brutality, as well as a figure playing a viol. The presence of Saint-Émilion's tomb attracted burials in the nearby underground galleries. In the 13th century, a magnificent Last Judgment portal was added, with Christ seated between the Virgin and Saint John, and the dead being resurrected on the lower register. The style is reminiscent of the Royal Portal of Saint-André Cathedral in Bordeaux. Today, the monolithic church is a major attraction for visitors to Saint-Émilion, offering a fascinating glimpse into the town's rich history and the ingenuity of its medieval inhabitants. The underground tour, which includes the hermitage of Émilion, the Trinity Chapel, and the catacombs, is a must-do for anyone interested in exploring this extraordinary site.
The monolithic church of Saint-Émilion is a breathtaking example of medieval architecture, carved entirely out of rock in the 11th and 12th centuries. This vast underground church, the largest of its kind in Europe, is a testament to the skill and dedication of the Benedictine monks who created it. The church was excavated from a considerable mass of stone, estimated at around 15 cubic meters. The central nave reaches an impressive height of 11 meters, while the Gothic windows in the western part bring natural light into the building. The church was once decorated with beautiful wall paintings, including a 12th-century Crucifixion, although only fragments remain today. One of the most striking features of the church is the intricate carvings in the underground galleries, which shed light on the spiritual significance of the building. These carvings depict scenes of temptation, evil, and brutality, as well as a figure playing a viol. The presence of Saint-Émilion's tomb attracted burials in the nearby underground galleries. In the 13th century, a magnificent Last Judgment portal was added, with Christ seated between the Virgin and Saint John, and the dead being resurrected on the lower register. The style is reminiscent of the Royal Portal of Saint-André Cathedral in Bordeaux. Today, the monolithic church is a major attraction for visitors to Saint-Émilion, offering a fascinating glimpse into the town's rich history and the ingenuity of its medieval inhabitants. The underground tour, which includes the hermitage of Émilion, the Trinity Chapel, and the catacombs, is a must-do for anyone interested in exploring this extraordinary site.
Seth Yates (10 months ago)
Beautiful old church, you can climb the tower if you get the key from the tourist office. It has amazing views of the surrounding area from the top.
Beautiful old church, you can climb the tower if you get the key from the tourist office. It has amazing views of the surrounding area from the top.
John (12 months ago)
I highly recommend this Monolithic Church with a private tour guide. You’ll be able to see and explore the history of this church. Unfortunately pictures were not allowed. But to really understand the magnitude of this structure you need to see it in person. You’ll be surprised and amazed once you step inside. The largest cavern is so enormous I couldn’t imagine how it was constructed by hand. The underground tunnels and structures are breathtaking. Recommend wearing a sweater or sweatshirt as the temperature of the caverns are 20 degrees cooler than the outside. Very humid as well so wear hiking shoes as the floor is made of clay and is wet. I destroyed my sneakers as the floor was full of puddles.
I highly recommend this Monolithic Church with a private tour guide. You’ll be able to see and explore the history of this church. Unfortunately pictures were not allowed. But to really understand the magnitude of this structure you need to see it in person. You’ll be surprised and amazed once you step inside. The largest cavern is so enormous I couldn’t imagine how it was constructed by hand. The underground tunnels and structures are breathtaking. Recommend wearing a sweater or sweatshirt as the temperature of the caverns are 20 degrees cooler than the outside. Very humid as well so wear hiking shoes as the floor is made of clay and is wet. I destroyed my sneakers as the floor was full of puddles.
Terri Hanson Mead (13 months ago)
No pictures are allowed inside. The guide was good. She was knowledgeable and witty. And kept the group moving . There are essentially 8 different points of interest in the 1 hour tour. If you are in Saint Emilion and are interested in the history of the village, it’s worth checking out. We used the Bordeaux City Pass to pay for our tour. It was included.
No pictures are allowed inside. The guide was good. She was knowledgeable and witty. And kept the group moving . There are essentially 8 different points of interest in the 1 hour tour. If you are in Saint Emilion and are interested in the history of the village, it’s worth checking out. We used the Bordeaux City Pass to pay for our tour. It was included.
