St Emilion

St Emilion is now regarded as one of the top wine-producing districts in France. It lies outside Castillon-La-Battaille in the direction of Bordeaux, just off the road that runs from Bordeaux to Ste Foy-La-Grande and Bergerac, and less than 40km from La Matha.

St Emilion is a small pretty town of medieval appearance, built on a hill. Almost every square foot of soil as far as the eye can see is covered with neatly trained vines. The little town is a major tourist centre; the vast Tourist Information Office is called La Maison de Vin, and is the centre for many conducted tours of the town and the vineyards surrounding it. There is car parking both at the foot of the town, and at the top, out of sight of people on foot most of the time. Apart from the stone-built, tile-roofed appearance of the place, its attractions include a wide choice of restaurants, wine merchants (of course), art and craft galleries,  an ancient underground church built into the cliff below the very top of the town. and an old fortified tower.

Local attractions / amenities

• One of the top wine producing areas in France
  
• Small pretty town
  
• Major tourist centre
  
• Wide choice of restaurants
  
• Art and craft galleries
  
• Ancient underground church