Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes is a town in the Canton of North Libourne and part of 8 towns of the Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion. It also belongs to the Community of the municipalities of the Greater Saint-Emilion Area. Its area is 780 ha and is located near Saint-Emilion (2 km). The town now has 443 inhabitants, called the Saint-Christophais.

A BIT OF HISTORY

Origin of the name

The name "Bard" dates back to a distant time. These are religious Christians, formerly called "Druids" who had settled in the land where they organized and animated social life.

History

The origin of Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes is originally from the establishment of the Celts and therefore is very old. In the Middle Ages, a castle was built in the town, Château Laroque. Its lords settled in this territory for a long time. The history of the town, is also marked by the extraction of the stone. Just like in Saint-Emilion, its underground is dotted with limestone quarries where were extracted blocks of stone used to build houses and castles.

Saint Christophe des Bardes consists mainly of scattered hamlets and old houses which are highlighting its sublime vineyard.

The village is twinned since 1996 with the village of Hermance in Switzerland lying at the edge of Lake Geneva near Geneva.

NATURAL HERITAGE

The town is crossed by the Barbanne over a length of 2.3 km.

VINEYARDS

Nowaday, the main activity of the town is wine exploitation: 70 wine estates share the 547 hectares of vineyards, producing wines that are exclusively within the controlled appellation of Saint-Emilion wines.

POINTS OF INTEREST

The Tourist Office offers various hiking through the town of Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes. A hike “Terroirs" for a 3-hour-walk approximately and two bikes hikes "Route of the remarkable architectures" of 19 kilometers and "Family Properties" of 11,5 km. You can download the maps here.

Every year during the last weekend of July, the village fair is organized. Young and old gather around a convivial meal followed by various outdoor games, the presence of bandas, bull de fuego and joyful a disco dance.

The château Cantin is an old noble house named after the stream, the Cantin, which originates at the bottom of the hill. It was founded in the Middle Ages but the well in the heart of the vineyard, is the only remain of the Middle Ages. Most buildings in the courtyard date from the 17th century. They were built by Benedictine monks and had a function of farm and monastery. The main body of the castle was the summer residence of the canons of Saint-Emilion. The monks remained in Cantin until the French Revolution and the estate was sold as national property to the Baron of Mauvezin, it was kept in the family for 100 years.

Alphonse Bisch, a wine merchant, remodeled the castle in the 19th century: since, it has beautiful buildings on two levels including a square tower. The building is complemented with a large courtyard.

The château Fombrauge is a beautiful aristocratic mansion built on a vast vineyard. It consists of a main building in one level and two perpendicular wings. The facade overlooks a courtyard framed by remarkable buildings. The north side has a carved stone terrace overlooking the park.

The château Haut-Sarpe is at the limit of the town of Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes and Saint-Emilion. Located at the top of a hillock overlooking the vineyard, it has a beautiful view of the Barbanne valley, steeples of Montagne, St. George, Parsac and also Lussac. The castle was built by the famous Leo Drouyn in the 19th century. He was the official drawftsman of the Committee on Historical Monuments of the Gironde, he was the first to highlight the rich romanesque heritage of Gironde and became one of the leading specialists of medieval architecture. Leo Drouyn was inspired by the Petit and Grand Trianon at Versailles with a French classic aesthetic mixed with Italian influence.

The Chateau Laroque is a former feudal dwelling, rebuilt under Louis XIV. Its location allows it to dominate the Dordogne valley. Surrounded by walls, the castle was plundered during the 17th century by the troops of the Duke of Epernon. It remains an important round tower with a stone dome. The main building, dating from the late 17th century, seems to have been redesign subsequently. It has a large rectangular main building on two levels topped by a balustrade hiding the roof. The main facade, very simple, has a central front building with three bays and crowned with a triangular pediment.

The windmill of Château Haut-Sarpe, is part of a true small hamlet and has a beautiful round tower in stone topped with a conical slate roof. It is now, after restoration, in very good condition.

The small heritage of the town is to visit: the wash house, the grindstone, the bread oven, the memorial and the sundial.