Saint-Émilion is a medieval village in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France. The town with its surrounding vineyards has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999 in celebration of its long history of viticulture and wine-making and the architecture and historical ruins within its boundaries.
If you have visited this charming village, this post should bring back some fond memories. If you are familiar with wine from the Bordeaux area, some of the names on the bottles and on the chalkboard wine lists in the images below will ring a bell. If you have not yet visited this wonderful spot, then we hope this article will encourage you to do so.
SOME HISTORY
Before the Romans came in 27 BC and brought their version of peace to the area, the Gauls built a fortified settlement on the top of the hill which overlooks the town today. By the second century AD they had planted vineyards. So the root of Saint-Émilion of today’s claim to fame can be attributed to Ancient Rome. The town was renamed from the original Roman Ascumbas to the current Saint-Émilion in the 8th century in honor of a Breton monk, Émilion who settled in the area. The monks that followed him were responsible for establishing the commercial wine production for which the region is so famous today.
You can see from the contemporary photo below that the town has miraculously escaped heavy modernization and still looks like the medieval village that it really is. Tourism and wine, often combined. are at the heart of the village’s prosperity today. One more claim to fame is the macarons which date back to 1620. Made from ground almonds, fresh egg whites and sugar, the recipe has been passed down through generations of Ursuline nuns and can still be purchased in Saint-Émilion today, as you will see.
Aerial view of Saint-Émilion by Chensiyuan - Own work, Wikipedia Commons.
THE TOWN
Best described in pictures. Scroll through the slide shows below to get a real feel for this wonderful village.
THE STREETS
It really is medieval and unspoiled. If you love history, you will find plenty to absorb your interest here.
While there are many wine shops in town, there are also the famous Saint-Émilion macarons on sale.
Then we come to the wine!
And the chalkboard wine lists.
And some of the locals.
We do hope you have enjoyed this post. Most of the images have been added to the shop in a new section entitled simply Saint-Émilion. They are available as prints or canvases. You’re welcome to browse and window shop.
Please leave a comment below. We always appreciate hearing from you.
À bientôt,
The Parisian Moments Team