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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.

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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

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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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Discover more about King's Tower

The King's Tower, known locally as Tour du Roy, is a prominent historical landmark in Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its vineyards and medieval architecture. Constructed in the 13th century, this quadrangular Romanesque keep stands as the only intact structure of its kind in the Gironde region. Despite its regal name, the tower has no direct association with French or English royalty. Instead, it functioned as the town's bell tower and a symbol of the Jurade, the local organization responsible for promoting Saint-Émilion wines. Some historians suggest the Jurade built it to represent the town's power, while others believe it was intended as a town hall. Rising 32 meters, the tower is built on a rocky massif, with walls reinforced by flat buttresses. Visitors can ascend its 118 steps to reach the top, where they are rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Saint-Émilion and the surrounding vineyards. From this vantage point, one can appreciate the beauty of the landscape and understand why the area is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. The Jurade still uses the tower today to celebrate the New Wine Judgment in June and the Grape Harvest in September.

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