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Church · Saint-Émilion, Nova Aquitânia
Église monolithe de Saint-Émilion
12th-century church carved into limestone, the largest underground church in Europe, visitable only with a guide from the tourist office.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Église monolithe de Saint-Émilion
The Église monolithe was carved out of the limestone of the hill in the early 12th century, probably under the direction of Benedictine monks, to receive pilgrims who came to the tomb of Saint Émilion. The name comes from Greek: mono (single) and lithos (stone), because the church forms a single block with the rock. It is 38 metres long and 12 metres high, and is considered the largest underground church in Europe.
The church was painted in the 14th century, damaged in the 16th century and used as a saltpetre factory for gunpowder during the Revolution, which erased most of the paintings. Restored in the 20th century, it remains consecrated and hosts religious ceremonies, concerts and the enthronement ceremonies of the Jurade, the local wine brotherhood.
Visits are guided only, organised by the tourist office under the name Saint-Émilion souterrain. The route also passes through other spaces excavated beneath the village.
Rising above the church is the bell tower, 68 metres high, the village's highest point. There are 196 steps to the top, with views over the roofs and the vineyards; the climb is charged separately at the tourist office.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes to 1 hour for the guided visit; plus 30 minutes for the bell tower.
Best time
On the first tours of the day, before the excursion groups. Visits run year-round, with more schedules from April to October.
How to get there
On foot, from the Place de l'Église monolithe, in the lower part of the village. The meeting point and ticket sales are at the tourist office, next to the Collégiale.
Tip
Buy the guided visit as soon as you arrive or online, because the language-specific slots fill up quickly. The climb to the bell tower requires at least two people.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Église monolithe de Saint-Émilion
Can the Église monolithe be visited without a guide?
No. Entry is only by guided tour, sold by the Saint-Émilion tourist office. There are tours in French and other languages; confirm before you go.
Is the climb to the bell tower included in the guided tour?
No. The climb to the bell tower is paid for separately at the tourist office and is only allowed for groups of at least two people.
Why is the church called monolithic?
Because it was carved out of the limestone rock, forming a single block of stone instead of being built from separate blocks.