Saintes ancient capital
An Art and History town
The Art and History town of Saintes is built around a meander of the River Charente. It is a harmonious blend of prestigious remains of the ancient capital, gems of Romanesque art, elegant, classical facades and contemporary boldness. The river runs lazily through the leafy, tranquil countryside of the Saintonge region between Cognac and the estuary, bordered by little roads leading to ancient houses, châteaux and Romanesque churches whose steeples stand sentinel over the villages and vines.
Reasons for coming to Saintes :
Saintes is an Art and History town at the heart of the Saintonge Romane, a great place for heritage enthusiasts. It lies among the vineyards of Pineau and Cognac so is ideal for gourmet aficionados too ! Nature and river trip fans are not forgotten either with the River Charente, so come and enjoy the relaxing Saintonges way of life !
Essential things to see in Saintes :
A very rich heritage
The Gallo-Roman city
During the Gallic period, Saintes was home to a Gallic people called the Santons. Numerous remains from the Gallo-Roman era can still be seen in the town, including the amphitheatre, Roman walls, Arch of Germanicus and baths !
Romanesque and Gothic buildings
Saintes lies on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela and has three splendid religious buildings which are well worth a visit.
Basilica of Saint-Eutrope : along with its mysterious crypt, this church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes to Santiago de Compostela.
Abbaye aux Dames : a timeless place to visit and also a cultural centre, particularly for music with its Musicaventure musical sensory experience, musical carousel and Festival of Classical Music.
Cathedral of Saint-Pierre : this Gothic building can be seen from far away, thanks to its belltower-porch which dominates the urban skyline of Saintes.
A boat trip on the Charente
Discover the gentle Saintonges way of life from a different angle by gabarre riverboat, solar-powered electric boat, kayak or paddle board as you drift along the river bordered by water meadows with the estuary and the Ile d’Oléron in the distance !
Land of Pineau and Cognac
Grapes have been grown in Saintonges ever since ancient times and many family-run vineyards and wine merchants can be found in and around Saintes.
Gîtes de France tip : ""You can visit the main attractions inside and outside the town and in 48 hours !""
How to get to Saintes :
By road : Easy to get to from Paris or Bordeaux via A10 autoroute.
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
LA TOUCHE
in SAINT GEORGES DES COTEAUX - Charente-Maritime
Our new accommodations
Lodging
LE SAINT ROMAIN
in SAINT ROMAIN DE BENET - Charente-Maritime
