Eglise Monolithe de Saint-Emilion
Eglise Monolithe de Saint-Emilion
Eglise Monolithe de Saint-Emilion
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A HIDDEN HERITAGE, UNIQUE IN EUROPE In this 45 minutes long tour, your guide makes you discover Saint-Emilion’s underground heritage. From the monk Emilion’s story, between truth and legend, to the carving of the surprising monolithic church, walk through several centuries of history. Your guide, only holder of the keys, opens the monuments’ doors and shares their secrets ! Observe the details of the Trinity Chapel’s paintings and discover the mysterious catacombs and the Hermitage… A historical summary within four essential monuments.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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nenamb
Easter US43 contributions
Aug 2021
I took a tour of the Eglise Monolithe while visiting Saint Emilion and the tour was okay. The tour, which is offered by the town for a fee (you have to get your tickets in advance at the Tourism Office), had too many people (about 30-35) so it made it hard to hear the guide and a bit too crowded inside. Also, with Covid on the rise, many people were not wearing their masks properly as required so that made it a bit uncomfortable. The church is interesting inside but frankly, I found the other church in town, at the bottom of the hill (near the roundabout) more interesting.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello nenamb,
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience.
We were delighted to show you our monolithic church.
We confirm that wearing a mask is compulsory inside the monuments as well as outside in the streets of our medieval city.
We also confirm that for the comfort and safety of all, our visits are limited to 30 people.
We look forward to seeing you again in Saint-Emilion.
Written August 9, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David M
Portsmouth, UK3,477 contributions
Mar 2020
What a pleasure to find a Church that maintains some of its simplicity rather than having been over decorated by victorians. Presumably this is because at one time the entire church was painted with fine frescos, some of which still remain. This is a grand old building with interesting glass
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary C
Bristol, UK14 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
This is an absolutely world class site. The tour (must book in advance, strongly recommend booking on saint emilion tourist office website in advance but can visit the physical tourist office) allows you to see Saint Emilions underground hermits cell, the catacombs, the church and Chapel. The wonderfully well preserved 14th century paintings in the Chapel are amazing - it really is like stepping back into the past. We took the French tour in the morning so we could have a leisurely lunch- you can stop off via the tourist office to get a translation card in advance, but our wonderful guide Julia was conscious there were some non native speakers on the tour and spoke very clearly indeed and was funny, informative and engaging. If you've reasonable but non fluent French you will still understand the vast majority of the tour if you make it known its not your first language due to the excellent delivery, otherwise get a translation card or go on the afternoon tour in english, but do go, it is a unique experience and quite moving.
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour madward83,
Quel avis ! un grand merci de la part de toute l'équipe de l'Office de Tourisme. Cela nous fait chaud au cœur et nous sommes ravis que vous ayez apprécié votre visite guidée à la découverte des monuments souterrains de Saint-Emilion.
Vous êtes notre ambassadeur !
Au plaisir de vous accueillir de nouveau dans le Grand Saint-Emilionnais.
Written October 2, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maltrueno
Croydon, UK297 contributions
Jul 2023
The moment we arrived at the village we went straight to the tourist office and managed to book the last English tour of the day for free with our Bordeaux city pass. This was a gamble as there was no guarantee we would find places but it worked fortunately. These tours are very popular so if you want a guaranteed place prepaying/prebooking for places on the tourist office website is recommended. The tour itself takes you first to the hermitage of St.Emilion and then to the catacombs and the underground church. The tour guide was very good and funny. She explained to us who St.Emilion was and his connection to the village, who was allowed to be buried in the catacombs and finally a few words about the church. I have to admit that the last part seemed to be rather rushed. The church is quite big and we were shown just a part of it. This could be because it was the last tour of the day, so again my suggestion is to get on the earlier tours if possible.
Written July 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Marios,
Thank you for visiting and sharing your experience. It is a great pleasure for us to have welcomed you and to have made you discover the heritage of Saint-Emilion.
See you soon at Grand Saint-Emilion.
Written August 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Magicwoods
Montreal-du-Gers, France99 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
No photos allowed. Just your direct experience. It was a rainy day and, even though we wanted to wander the charming streets of St. Èmilion, visiting the monolith presented an opportunity to stay dry.
The tour was fascinating! Our guide was generous, offering many English translations even though the tour we booked at the tourism office was supposed to be all in French. The catacombs and church are fascinating and I felt transported and immersed in a different time, especially as I couldn’t filter anything through the lens of a camera. There was a stark reality to the dark tombs, beautiful ancient frescoes and the vast cavern of a church excavated from the solid limestone.
The tour was fascinating! Our guide was generous, offering many English translations even though the tour we booked at the tourism office was supposed to be all in French. The catacombs and church are fascinating and I felt transported and immersed in a different time, especially as I couldn’t filter anything through the lens of a camera. There was a stark reality to the dark tombs, beautiful ancient frescoes and the vast cavern of a church excavated from the solid limestone.
Written January 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Magicwoods,
Thank you very much for sharing your experience: what a satisfaction to read you! We have reached our goal: to transport you to another time.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the Grand Saint-Emilionnais region to help you discover other equally interesting places.
See you soon
Written January 17, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susandbdb
Guildford, UK242 contributions
Aug 2020
I recommend you take the time to take the one-hour tour around this ancient and historical church with it’s 53m high bell tower constructed in the early 12th century), whilst in St. Émilion. Led by our knowledgeable Lydie, we explored the catacombs beneath and then through to the huge Church. It was listed as a world heritage site in 1999 by UNESCO.
Written August 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Thank you so much for this nice review, that we will share right away with our guide Lydie :)
We hope to see you soon again in Saint-Emilion
The Tourist Office Team
Written August 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DavidLF
Bexleyheath, UK281 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
A day trip to St Emilion and a very unusual place to visit. Not just visit but learn about it too with a local guide who spoke great English. The history about the parts that you see is exceptionally interesting and actually seeing everything in the flesh (so to speak) makes for a better experience.
We booked online (which I think is cheaper) but also secures a place on the English speaking tour - which I'd recommend you do regardless of any discount, just to make sure there are spaces. Ours soon filled up and only had a few spaces left.
it takes about an hour and is definitely worth the time - even better if you miss the showers that are synonymous with the area! You can't take photos for reasons explained but that will not detract from your experience.
We booked online (which I think is cheaper) but also secures a place on the English speaking tour - which I'd recommend you do regardless of any discount, just to make sure there are spaces. Ours soon filled up and only had a few spaces left.
it takes about an hour and is definitely worth the time - even better if you miss the showers that are synonymous with the area! You can't take photos for reasons explained but that will not detract from your experience.
Written January 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks David!
We're delighted to have welcomed you and helped you discover the heritage of the Grand Saint-Emilion region.
We look forward to welcoming you again.
Written March 12, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sinza2017
Orange, France504 contributions
Aug 2023
This was an incredible visit. You must sign up for the tour; otherwise you don’t get entry to the Underground caves and church. Meeting point is at the Place De l’église Monolithe and be on time. Plan time for finding parking as the tour starts on time, enters the underground sections quickly, and if you’re not on time you lose your entry with no reimbursement. That said, this was much like being in northern Ethiopia and its rock hewn churches….and yet one is in Europe. Almost same time in history. Amazing…and this was in St Émilion before the wine tasting and in fact was a stop on the Way of St James pilgrimage. (Parking is not difficult to find in St. Emilion before 10:30 in the morning. So, book a 11:00 tour!)
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sinza2017,
Thank you again for visiting and sharing your experience. It is a great pleasure for us to have welcomed you and to have made you discover the heritage of Saint-Emilion.
See you soon at Grand Saint-Emilion.
Written August 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Janni72
Gothenburg, Sweden23 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
The tour guide Valentine managed to capture the imagination and interest of both adults and children in the group, and she told the story of Saint Emillion (both the saint and the city) with great enthusiasm. The church itself was something very special, cut out from the limestone rock in the eight century. Great tour, about an hour long. Would absolutely recomend it to anyone interested in history and architecture! You buy tickets at the tourist center.
Written February 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Janni72,
Thank you for visiting and sharing your experience. It is a great pleasure for us to have welcomed you and to have made you discover the heritage of Saint-Emilion.
See you soon at Grand Saint-Emilion.
Written February 28, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gaëtan B
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Superb discovery on the road; Saint-Emilion is not limited to the wine of the same name!
I really encourage everyone to take half a day to go around the village, including underground!
It is certainly a small budget, but between the maintenance of the heritage and the performance, it is understandable. I just think it's a shame it's private.
The guided tour is a real plus: the guide with a charming eastern accent mastered her business perfectly, with a clear, effective speech and knew how to answer our questions. Not being too numerous, we could really enjoy it, thanks to her!
I really encourage everyone to take half a day to go around the village, including underground!
It is certainly a small budget, but between the maintenance of the heritage and the performance, it is understandable. I just think it's a shame it's private.
The guided tour is a real plus: the guide with a charming eastern accent mastered her business perfectly, with a clear, effective speech and knew how to answer our questions. Not being too numerous, we could really enjoy it, thanks to her!
Automatically translated
Written July 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour Urakamseth,
Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez apprécié la découverte du patrimoine et de l'histoire de Saint-Emilion.
Nous vous invitons à revenir plus longtemps pour profiter de toutes les richesses à découvrir dans le Grand Saint-Emilionnais.
Au plaisir de vous accueillir de nouveau.
Written July 19, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hola! Me gustaría hacer esta visita/tours, me podéis informar de cómo hacerlo por internet? En la página de la oficina de turismo el formulario de la reserva está solo en francés. Gracias!
Written July 9, 2019
Hola !
Se puede comprar directamente los billetes para la visita de los monumentos subterráneos en nuestra pagina :
saint-emilion-tourisme > Que hacer > Subterraneos >Saint Emilion Subterraneo
Esta verano, hay una visita en español cada día hasta el 15 de septiembre a las 15:00 por la tarde.
Toda la pagina de la oficina de turismo es traducida en espanol (selecciona la bandera arriba a la derecha).
Hasta luego !
Written July 11, 2019
Is there way to purchase the English language tour in advance, via internet?
Written May 4, 2017
Our tour was in English, arranged through the tourist information office in St. Emilion. We booked it in person, however, not via the internet. Their tourism office has a site in English that TripAdvisor rules prohibit me from posting. Google is your friend, however.
Written May 8, 2017
Hello,
The english speaking tours are at 2 pm!
Enjoy
Written May 7, 2015
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