The village of Saint-Émilion
Less than a 40-minute drive from La Cigaline campsite, the village of Saint-Émilion is well worth a visit. World-famous for its wines, Saint-Émilion is also home to some outstanding architectural gems. Here’s a small selection of the treasures to be discovered during your camping holiday in the Dordogne.
Marvel at the medieval city
As you stroll through the narrow streets of the medieval town of Saint-Émilion, you’ll quickly fall under the spell of its pretty stone buildings and numerous cobbled squares. This part of the town is built on a limestone plateau from which the rocks used for the region’s buildings are extracted. That’s why there are so many underground galleries.
Shivering in the catacombs
Speaking of galleries, you can also take a tour of them during your stay on a campsite with swimming pool in the Dordogne. In this underground heritage, you’ll be surprised to find numerous chapels and catacombs built right into the rock. The Ermitage cave is the starting point from which the whole village is built.
Admire the monolithic church and Trinity chapel
Themonolithic church is an architectural curiosity not to be missed. It is the largest underground church in Europe. Impressively, it was carved out of a single block of stone! As for the Chapel of the Trinity, a listed historic monument, it is finely frescoed and superbly preserved. A monument not to be missed during your stay at our riverside campsite in the Dordogne.
Climb to the top of the Tour du Roy
The Tour du Roy can be visited within the city walls. This keep has survived the test of time since its construction in the 13th century. From its summit, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the village and its surrounding vineyards. Just be prepared to climb 118 steps!
Visit the Cordeliers cloister
All that remains of the 14th-century Cordeliers convent are the cloister, garden and church. Abandoned after the French Revolution, the cloister is now used to produce sparkling wine. If you get the chance to visit, you’ll spend a timeless moment savoring a glass of wine.
Tasting quality wine in the vineyards
The delicious wines of the Saint-Émilion vineyards are due to the limestone soil on which the vines grow. The dominant grape variety, Merlot, is carefully cultivated by Bordeaux winegrowers. During your stay at a cheap campsite in the Dordogne, take advantage of a visit to Saint-Émilion to discover one or more estates, and stay afterwards for a wine tasting.
As well as savoring a local cru, you’ll have the chance to admire the estates and châteaux that make up Bordeaux’s rich heritage.
