Saintes

Visit Saintes, Poitou-Charentes

Saintes is a town on the western coast of France, in the Charente-Maritime department, between La Rochelle and Bordeaux.

Explore Saintes

Saintes is a busy town dating from Roman times, certainly, and probably was a celtic town before that. Roman ruins can still be seen in the town, the highlight being the Arena, an early amphitheatre to the west of the town in an attractive wooded spot.

The Arch of Germanicus to the east of the Charente River, which passes through the town, is next to the Archaeological museum where you can see more of the town's Roman history. The Arch of Germanicus is a triumphal arch and was originally built at the entrance to a bridge crossing the Charente river. When the bridge was demolished the arch was moved to its current position.

Saintes also has an attractive 'old town' centre with some nice medieval houses in typical narrow streets, and there are also a couple of churches that are worth the effort - the Abbaye aux dames and the basilique of St Eutrope particularly. The basilique of St Eutrope is a 'UNESCO World Heritage' site as part of the Pilgrim Route to Saintes Jacques de Compostella.  Its crypt is particularly worth seeing with its beautiful chapters carved with floral and vegetal chapters.

In the heart of the old town is the Logis du Gouvernor, an imposing 12th century building. Also in the old town is the Cathedral St Pierre with its magnificant copper dome.  In the Place des Récoltes there are some remnants of the 3rd century ramparts.

Because of its gallo-roman, medieval and classical heritage Saintes is a 'Ville d'Art et d'Histoire'.

Attractions nearby

North-east of Saintes (towards Rochefort along the N137), La Roche Courbon has an impressively located chateau tucked away in an ancient forest. As well as the finely furnished castle and beautifully maintained French-style gardens, there is a prehistoric museum and some small caves to see, plus picnic areas etc

Not far from Saintes at Crazannes is the 'Pole nature de Crazannes'. This is a large quarry which once supplied the rock for Fort Boyard and Saintes' Arch of Germanicus. It has now been given over to a nature reserve packed with trees, ferns and wild orchids. Many animal species have also taken up home. There is also a large rock wall which has been sculpted by different artists.

Also nearby at Saint Cesaire is Paleosite, a park devoted to pre-history. The park covers 10 hectares and is the most modern pre-history park in the World. The park has been developed with the help of eminent scientists in the field of prehistorique life and has indoor and outdoor exhibits. There is a lot to offer both children and adults.

Note: Saintes is twinned with Salisbury (Wiltshire, England)

See Poitou-Charentes and Charente-Maritime (the region and department for Saintes) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Saintes: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 4*; Listed town of Art and History; 'Historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé);

Suggested places to visit near Saintes, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Rochefort 33km; Royan 34km; Brouage 36km; Jarnac 37km; Jonzac 37km; La Tremblade 39km; La Palmyre 40km; Le Verdon-sur-Mer 40km; Surgeres 40km; Ronce-les-Bains 41km; Saint-Simon 45km;

Saintes tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Upper Church et lower Church de Saint Eutrope (Saintes) - religious monument (0km) : Abbaye aux Dames de Saintes (Saintes) - religious monument (1km) : La Roche Courbon - remarkable garden (14km) : Abbaye de Fontdouce (Saint-Bris-des-Bois) - religious monument (14km) : Eglise de Saint-Savinien (Fenioux) - religious monument (16km) : Eglise de Saint-Germain (Gimeux) - religious monument (24km) : Eglise de Saint Germain (Varaize) - religious monument (26km) : Eglise de Saint Pierre et eglise de Saint Hérie (Matha) - religious monument (28km) :

See more places and a map at places near Saintes