Église monolithe, Saint-Émilion, Rock-cut church in Saint-Émilion, France
The monolithic church of Saint-Émilion is a limestone chapel carved into the rock with a central nave supported by six wide pillars. The interior rises about eleven meters high and displays the impressive craftsmanship of medieval stonemasons.
The church was carved directly into limestone in the 12th century under the direction of Pierre de Castillon, inspired by his travels to Cappadocia. This project made Saint-Émilion an important pilgrimage site and permanently shaped the region's religious landscape.
The underground chapel displays carefully carved relief work on its pillars and walls, reflecting the daily religious life of the community.
Access is arranged through guided tours organized by the Saint-Émilion tourist office. The visit requires steady footing, as narrow stairs lead down into the depths and lighting below ground is subdued.
Stonemasons removed approximately 15,000 cubic meters of limestone to create this underground space. This enormous quantity illustrates the years of intensive labor behind this architectural work.
Location: Saint-Émilion
Architectural style: rock-cut architecture
GPS coordinates: 44.89330,-0.15640
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region contains historic and natural sites often overlooked by traditional tourist routes. The area features military castles such as Bonaguil with its seven 13th-century towers, underground churches carved into limestone in Saint-Émilion and Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, as well as caves decorated with Paleolithic paintings like that of Villars. Medieval villages such as Talmont-sur-Gironde preserve their original layout and overlook the Gironde estuary. From Dordogne to the Pyrenean foothills, the region presents rock-hewn forts like Maison Forte de Reignac, Benedictine abbeys established since the 8th century in Brantôme, and Romanesque churches like the Collegiate Church of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat. The Vayres and Roquetaillade castles demonstrate the evolution of fortified architecture from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. These sites reflect the military, religious, and cultural history of the region and provide diverse examples of southwestern France's architectural heritage.
Château Ausone
456 m
Château-Figeac
3.6 km
Château Canon
543 m
Cordeliers Cloister
155 m
Collégiale Saint-Émilion
89 m
Château Soutard
699 m
Château Franc Mayne
1.4 km
Château Laroque
2.9 km
Chapelle de la Trinité de Saint-Émilion
26 m
Château La Serre
450 m
Chapelle de la Madeleine
457 m
Église Saint-Martin de Mazerat
614 m
Église Saint-Christophe de Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes
2.7 km
Église de Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens
3.4 km
Château Troplong Mondot
1.2 km
La Grande Muraille
296 m
Chapelle de la Trinité
34 m
Église Saint-Laurent de Saint-Laurent-des-Combes
2.1 km
Église Saint-Hippolyte de Saint-Hippolyte
3.2 km
Bâtiment accolé à la porte de la Cadène
82 m
Château de Lescours
3.4 km
Château du Roi
158 m
Cloister of the Collégiale Saint-Émilion
68 m
Remparts de Saint-Émilion
109 m
Logis de Malet
90 m
Porte de la Cadène
81 m
Palais Cardinal
312 m
Doyenné de Saint-Émilion
56 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes