© PWilliamson
© PWilliamson
Les Cordeliers Cloister, Saint Emilion
14th-century cloisters & home to a sparkling white wine
The monks originally lived just outside Saint-Emilion, but in 1338 they obtained permission from the Pope to establish a monastery within the walls. The cloister was built in the 14th-century.
For four centuries until the onset of the Revolution in 1789 the Cordeliers (the monks) occupied this site with their church, an entrance courtyard, a winery, a vat room, a cellar, a garden and a dormitory building with six bedrooms. In the late 19th-century the new owners decided to convert the extensive underground spaces into wineries and bottle cellars.
Now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and French Historical Monument, the Cordeliers cloister is a perfectly preserved example of late Romanesque architecture.
Worth knowing
The cloisters are free to enter and you can purchase a picnic hamper to allow you to enjoy your time in the gardens.
Visitor comments
- "As you are walking on the opposite side of town, you come across beautiful cloister ruins that are very photogenic. Take yourself back in time realising who lived here hundreds of years ago and what their life was like. During the fall, it was pleasant to visit and would have been lovely to sit and enjoy a glass of wine. Definitely a must see." - Trip Advisor
- "The ruins of the cloister are extremely romantic in all the senses of the world. We had the chance to visit it (for free, too!) in Autumn and the building is extremely photogenic and beautiful." - Trip Advisor
- "Entry is free & In the back is a pleasant garden with picnic type seating. You're not supposed to bring your own picnic but the shop at the front will sell you bottles of sparkling wine (& provide glasses) & snacks (generally, crisps, biscuits etc rather than hot) & it can turn into a nice leisurely afternoon spent in atmospheric ruins & bright sunshine." - Trip Advisor
