There’s no better place to start a visit to this attractive region than in Saint-Emilion, heartland of the Merlot grape. This area produces delicious, rich, round wines. The vines on the ‘hill of a thousand chateaux’ reach right up to Saint-Emilion’s 13th-century town walls and the surrounding moat dug out of solid rock. Members of the local wine brotherhood, the Jurats, carry on the tradition of proclaiming the opening of the grape harvest, just as their ancestors did during the reign of Richard the Lionheart. Visit the main monuments of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Collegiate Church and its magnificent cloister from the 12th century, the ramparts, the marketplace, and the monolithic church or underground church from the 9th and 12th centuries. Consecrated to the holy hermit by the Benedictine monks, this is unique in Europe for its size. It represents a stunning transformation of the natural caves in the cliff-face that have been used for religious purposes from prehistoric times to the present day. Beside the church, the catacombs include a charnel house and a number of sepulchers from the 11th and 12th centuries. The Hermitage was constructed by transforming a natural grotto. Strolling the streets, you will also see the Cadene Gate and the King’s Tower. After your guided visit, you will have time at leisure for shopping, independent exploration, and lunch on your own. In the afternoon, before driving back to the ship, stop at a wine chateau, tour the cellars, and learn about the wine-making process before tasting wine from local producers.

Note: The order of sights visited may vary, depending on the number of buses on the tour. We recommend wearing flat, comfortable shoes. Warm garments are also recommended during the visit to the underground monuments. This tour is not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties due to the steep cobblestone streets in Saint-Emilion.