St. Emilion, gites / holiday accommodation. Chateau de Gurat, Southwest France

St Emilion

St Emilion is a beautiful medieval town built on the slopes of a limestone plateau overlooking the Dordogne Valley. With steep hilly cobbled streets running through ancient limestone buildings. The 13^th century walls and winding ramparts remain, enclosing densely rowed caves that offer a taste of the valley’s finest wines. The town and surrounding vineyards are a UNESCO world heritage site

The town derives its name from the hermit Emilion who lived there in the 8th century. Emilion carved out a cave for himself in the limestone and a monastery followed. The 12^th Century belfry rises above a rocky spur encrusted with catacombs, a hermitage, a chapel and an underground church.

An absolute Mecca for any wine fan, the home to perhaps the most famous French red. Chateaux after Chateaux line the green and rolling roadsides. Ausone, Angelus, Beauséjour-Bécot, Bélair, Canon, Cheval Blanc, Trottevieille, Figeac & Clos Fourtet are all to be found here.