King's Tower: A Symbol of Saint-Émilion
Explore the King's Tower in Saint-Émilion: a medieval landmark with panoramic views of vineyards and a rich history.
The King's Tower (Tour du Roy) in Saint-Émilion is a historic 13th-century Romanesque keep offering panoramic views of the village and surrounding vineyards. Despite its name, it has no royal connections, instead serving as the town's old bell tower and a symbol of Saint-Émilion's power.
A brief summary to King's Tower
- Passage de la Tour du Roy, 483A Rue du Château du Roy, Saint-Émilion, 33330, FR
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Local tips
- Wear comfortable shoes for the climb to the top of the tower, which involves navigating narrow staircases.
- Visit in the afternoon for the best views and to explore the charming village of Saint-Émilion.
- Combine your visit with a wine tasting at one of the nearby vineyards to fully experience the region.
- Check the opening days and times, as they vary depending on the time of year.
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Getting There
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Walking
From the Saint-Émilion Tourism Office on Place des Créneaux, walk north along Rue du Château du Roy. Continue along this street, passing the Église Collégiale on your left. Passage de la Tour du Roy will be on your left, leading to the King's Tower. The walk is short, but involves some cobblestone streets and slight inclines. There is no admission fee to enter Passage de la Tour du Roy, but there is a fee to climb the tower. As of July 2025, the rate is €2 per person, with free admission for children under 6.
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Public Transport
From Bordeaux, take a train to Saint-Émilion. Train tickets cost approximately €11 each way and the journey takes about 35-60 minutes. From the Saint-Émilion train station, it is approximately a 20-minute walk to the King's Tower. Exit the train station and turn right onto Route de Libourne. Continue for about 500 meters until you reach the intersection with Rue du Château du Roy. Turn left onto Rue du Château du Roy, and continue until you see Passage de la Tour du Roy on your right, where the King's Tower is located. Alternatively, a Tuk-Tuk service is available from the train station to the village center for €5 per person.
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Driving
When driving to Saint-Émilion, parking is available in several locations, both free and paid. Free parking can be found at the Espace Guadet (behind the Gendarmerie) or near the train station, though these fill up quickly. Paid parking is available near the village center, including Place Bouqueyre (€2 per hour) and around the Collegiate Church. Parking is typically enforced from 9 AM to 7 PM. From the parking area, walk towards the center of Saint-Émilion. Follow signs to the Tourism Office at Place des Créneaux, then follow the walking directions to the King's Tower.
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