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Tower · Saint-Émilion, Nova Aquitânia
Tour du Roy
Romanesque keep tower from the 13th century, the only intact one in the Gironde, with a panoramic terrace overlooking the village and the vineyards.
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 Tour du Roy
The Tour du Roy is a 13th-century square tower, supported on an isolated rock mass hollowed out by caves and quarries. It is the only Romanesque keep tower still intact in the Gironde. From the lowest level to the top it measures 32 metres.
Its origin is debated. Some documents attribute the work to Henry III, king of England and duke of Aquitaine, around 1237; others mention Louis VIII, king of France. Some historians see it as a symbol of the Jurade's power—the body that governed the village in the Middle Ages and had no other town hall building.
The Jurade, reestablished in 1948 as a wine brotherhood, continues to use the tower: in June the jurors conduct from the top the tasting-judgement of the new wine and, in September, proclaim the ban des vendanges, the official start of the harvest.
There are 118 steps to the terrace, from where you can see the whole village, including the bell tower of the Église monolithe, the Collégiale and the surrounding vineyards.
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 30 minutes.
Best time
In the mid-afternoon, on clear days. The tower usually opens every afternoon from April to August and, from September to early November and in February and March, only on weekends. It is closed from November to early February; check before you go.
How to get there
On foot, in the southern part of the village, a few minutes from the Place du Marché and the Église monolithe.
Tip
The staircase is narrow and steep, with no lift. Combine the climb with that of the Église monolithe bell tower to see the village from two different angles.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Tour du Roy
Does the Tour du Roy open year-round?
No. It usually opens every afternoon in the European spring and summer, only on weekends in part of the autumn and late winter, and closes from November to early February. Confirm before you go.
How many steps does the tower have?
There are 118 steps to the panoramic terrace, up a narrow staircase, with no elevator.
What happens at the tower in September?
The Jurade, Saint-Émilion's wine brotherhood, proclaims the ban des vendanges, the official start of the harvest, from the top of the tower.