Introduction
This guide provides a wealth of local knowledge and information about Saintes and the surrounding area to ensure you make the most of your visit.
Use the links on the left to browse through Out & About, the directory of things to do and to see, or check out Background Briefings to get 'on the ground' local knowledge.
A town of history, art and culture...
Visiting Saintes is to explore 2000 years of history. The origins of the town lie in celtic times when a small settlement was created by the Santon tribe - this has given rise to the name given to the region, which continues today, of Saintonge. In the first century BC the Romans conquered much of France and established their regional capital, Mediolanum, on the site of modern day Saintes. They choose this site because in was the 'crossroads' where the major Roman route from Lyon to Acquitaine crossed the Charente river. During Roman times the town became very prosperous and one can still see remnants in the Arch of Germanicus, the Amphitheatre and the Thermal baths.
Christianity came early to Saintes and the town boasts many magnificent religious buildings such as the Abbaye aux Dames and St Pierre Cathedral.
The town enjoyed considerable prosperity during 17th to 19th centuries as an administrative and commercial centre and during this time many very attractive merchants houses and other buildings were erected along the bank of the river.
Today the town retains its rich history and it a world famous centre for art and culture.
Situation ...
Saintes is situated on one of France's great rivers, the Charente - indeed the river has shaped the development of the town providing a means of transport, trading and communication over the centuries. The town is surrounded by gentle rolling countryside with fields of sunflowers, wheat and maize plus of course the extensive vineyards of the Cognac region. About 30 km to the west is the Atlantic Ocean with wonderful beaches at Royan and the Gironde estuary where the combined waters of the Garonne, Lot and Dordogne rivers meet the sea. La Rochelle, Bordeaux, and Cognac are all close by as are vineyards, riverside villages, great restaurants and friendly prople.
Ten Things to do on a visit to Saintes:
Roman past – visit the ruins of the Amphitheatre and get a strange sense of what spectacles the place saw over a thousand years ago.
See the Abbaye aux Dames - now a cultural centre, this remarkable set of buildings was originally a Benedictine convent but has also served as a garrison and a prison.
Wander around the narrow streets of the St Pierre district - the heart of the old town but now full of chic shops and an array of restaurants and cafes.
Take a river trip on one of the many boats that travel along the Charente
Visit Royan with its wonderful beaches and admire the Belle Epoque villas that still remain as glimpse of what the place was like in 1900
La Rochelle – arguably the prettiest city in France – great shopping, an ancient port and enough good restaurants to keep you busy for a month or more.
The market in Saintes is a people watchers paradise and just wandering around seeing stalls offering an amazing variety of fish, meat, cheese, fruit and vegetables is a fantastic experience. Open Wednesday and Saturday.
Eat oysters – fresh seafood and fish is brought in daily from the nearby Atlantic ports which are world renown for producing oysters and mussels.
Taste Cognac and Pineau – Saintes is in the heart of the 'Appelation Cognac Controlee' and there are lots of local distilleries that offer tastings.
You can find out about all of these and much much more in this Guide. Enjoy your visit!
