Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion (pronounced [sɛ̃t‿e.mil.jɔ̃]; Gascon: Sent Milion) is a commune in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in Southwestern France. In 2016, it had a population of 1,938.

For the Italian wine grape known as Saint Emilion, see Trebbiano.
Saint-Émilion
Commune
An aerial view of Saint-Émilion
Coat of arms
Location of Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion
Coordinates: 44°53′37″N 0°09′17″W
CountryFrance
RegionNouvelle-Aquitaine
DepartmentGironde
ArrondissementLibourne
CantonLes Coteaux de Dordogne
IntercommunalitySaint-Émilion
Government
 • Mayor (2014–2020) Bernard Lauret
Area
1
27.02 km2 (10.43 sq mi)
Population
 (2017-01-01)[1]
1,874
 • Density69/km2 (180/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
33394 /33330
Elevation3–107 m (9.8–351.0 ft)
(avg. 23 m or 75 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Monolithic church of Saint-Émilion and its bell tower
CriteriaCultural: iii, iv
Reference932
Inscription1999 (23rd session)
Area7,847 ha
Buffer zone5,101 ha

In the heart of the country of Libournais (the area around Libourne), in a region of wine hills, Saint-Emilion is a medieval city located at the crossroads of Bordeaux, Saintonge and Périgord.

History

Saint-Émilion's history goes back to prehistoric times. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets.

The Romans planted vineyards in what was to become Saint-Émilion as early as the 2nd century. In the 4th century, the Latin poet Ausonius lauded the fruit of the bountiful vine.

Saint-Émilion, previously called Ascumbas,[2] was renamed after the Breton monk Émilion (d.767[3]), a travelling confessor, who settled in a hermitage carved into the rock there in the 8th century. The monks who followed him started up the commercial wine production in the area.

Geography

Saint-Émilion is located 35 km (22 mi) northeast of Bordeaux, between Libourne and Castillon-la-Bataille.

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±%
18002,761—    
18512,828+2.4%
18613,014+6.6%
18723,059+1.5%
18813,034−0.8%
18913,233+6.6%
19013,392+4.9%
19113,408+0.5%
19213,165−7.1%
19313,367+6.4%
19463,232−4.0%
19543,252+0.6%
19623,335+2.6%
19683,403+2.0%
19753,323−2.4%
19823,010−9.4%
19902,799−7.0%
19992,345−16.2%
20062,124−9.4%
20072,090−1.6%
20082,020−3.3%
20121,931−4.4%

Sights

Wine
Main article: Saint-Émilion AOC

Saint-Émilion is one of the principal red wine areas of Bordeaux along with the Médoc, Graves and Pomerol. The region is much smaller than the Médoc and adjoins Pomerol. As in Pomerol and the other appellations on the right bank of the Gironde, the primary grape varieties used are the Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with relatively small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon also being used by some châteaux.

Saint Émilion wines were not included in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. The first formal classification in Saint-Émilion was made in 1955. Unlike the 1855 classification, it is regularly revised.

Panoramic view of Saint-Émilion, July 2016
Panoramic view of Saint-Émilion, August 2012

Saint-Émilion Jazz Festival

Since 2012, Saint-Émilion hosts a jazz festival at the end of July.[4]

Personalities

See also

References
  1. "Populations légales 2017". INSEE. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  2. "The Monk Émilion". saint-emilion tourisme. Retrieved Sep 30, 2018.
  3. "Bordeaux". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved Sep 30, 2018.
  4. "Saint-Emilion Jazz Festival - Site Officiel | Éditions passées". www.saint-emilion-jazz-festival.com (in French). Retrieved 2018-08-02.
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