Discover Saintes
and the surrounding area
Saintes: remains of a Gallo-Roman city
In Gaulish times, Saintes was home to a Gallic people called Santons, on whose land Mediolanum developed. This city, built on the banks of the Charente river, was at the end of the Agrippa road that linked Lyon to Aquitania.
The town’s development bears witness to the exchange of lifestyles between Gauls and Romans. Mediolanum was the first historical capital of Aquitaine Gaul, one of the three great regions of Gaul conquered by Caesar.
Still-preserved buildings such as the Gallo-Roman Amphitheatre, the Arch of Germanicus and the remains of the Thermes de Saint Saloine, the ramparts and the aqueduct are among the main witnesses to Gallo-Roman antiquity in western France.
Must-sees in Saintes
The church of Saint-Eutrope, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is nestled high above the town and is a jewel of Saintonge Romanesque art. Hospitable and mysterious, it was consecrated in the 11ᵉ century by the Pope and is dedicated to Eutrope, the first evangelizer of Saintonge.
In its crypt, one of the largest in Europe, the enveloping, mysterious atmosphere is an invitation to meditation and spirituality! It’s an essential stopover on the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela. The majestic Cathédrale Saint Pierre built in the 15ᵉ century, in the heart of the historic center of Saintes, astonishes with its massive and imposing porch bell tower.
It’s full of architectural contrasts, notably its bell tower and the subtlety of its sculpted portal, where stone resembles refined lace. Its unfinished bell tower, a victim of the clashes of history, is covered by a metal dome.
L’abbaye aux Dames, a cultural landmark in the Charente-Maritime department, is a former Benedictine abbey with Romanesque architecture, and was the first women’s monastery in Saintonge. The abbey is built around the 12th-centurychurch of Sainte-Marie.
Famous for its façade and characteristic “pine cone” steeple, it is one of the emblematic monuments of the Saintongean Romanesque style. Restored in the 1970s and 1980s after several fires and wars, this spiritual site has been converted into a cultural center, a place for creation, training and performance.
Château de La Roche Courbon, located in the commune of Saint-Porchaire and built in the 15ᵉ century as a fortified castle, was transformed into a pleasure residence in the 17ᵉ century by Marquis Jean-Louis de Courbon. Still inhabited today, it can be visited all year round (self-guided or guided tours).
The castle games “La Chambre du Marquis” and “La Tour du Temps” (The Tower of Time) are escape games for a complete immersion in the life of a squire, to share with friends or family. From May to October, extend your visit with the cave trail: stroll through unspoilt wilderness to learn about the evolution of prehistoric man (caves, reconstructed camps, botanical trail…).
Château de Panloy, located on the banks of the Charente in Port-d’Envaux, is an authentic building from the time of Louis XV. With its interior tour, gardens, stables, chapel, dovecote, etc., this family-friendly site features a treasure hunt and a nature trail with animals, to delight young and old alike.
Château de Crazannes, nicknamed Château du Chat Botté, isone of the oldest castles in Charente-Maritime. Built in the 14ᵉ century in place of an ancient feudal castle, it has been entirely restored and fitted out to offer us a unique visiting setting in the heart of an 8-hectare park.
The Romanesque chapel, keep, moat, dovecote and museum of rural artefacts add to the charm of this unspoilt setting. The Black Prince and François 1ᵉʳ stayed at the château. Fontdouce Abbey, located in Bris-sous-Bois, remarkably combines Romanesque and Gothic art. This family-friendly site offers treasure hunts by age group, workshops, activities and even an accrobranche!
River trips on the Charente: a memorable family activity
Rental of electric boats without a license, canoes…. Guided tours in a gabare or an electro-solar boat, there are many ways to discover the Charente river and its surroundings. Discover the area in a different way during your stay at a campsite on the Ile d’Oléron, by taking to the waterways.
Things to discover near Saintes
The Paleosite: immersion in prehistory
Located in Saint-Césaire (10 km from Saintes), near the Roche à Pierrot archeological site where a Neanderthal skeleton named “Pierrette” was discovered in 1979, this museum and interpretation center takes you back to the everyday life of Neanderthal man.
A family visit with tours of the archaeological site, entertainment rooms, exhibitions and impressive animal reconstructions. The Paleosite also features prehistoric activities: propulsor shooting, flint knapping, fire lighting, cave painting, archaeological digs…
A day in Pons
In Pons, there are two remarkable sites to visit if you’re in the area: the Château des Énigmes and the Hôpital des Pèlerins. The latter is the last remaining example of the medieval hospital complexes that housed the poor and sick.
It was also a resting place for destitute travelers, including pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. A magnificent 3,000m2 medicinal garden completes the ensemble.
The Château d’Usson, now the Château des énigmes theme park, offers a fun discovery tour for young and old alike. Join Willy as he searches for the treasure of the famous Jack Rackman on a trail of 27 adventure games. A life-size treasure hunt in the large wooded park and the castle’s most beautiful rooms, guaranteed to delight the whole family.
A stroll through the vineyards of Charente
The Cognac Ecomuseum, located at the Tesseron estate in Migron, lets you learn all about this world-famous and appreciated brandy. You’ll be welcomed by the winemaker in a 19thᵉ century winery, with the visit program including a winemaker’s museum, audiovisual show, perfume organs and Cognac and Pineau des Charentes tastings.
Le Cep enchanté, or discover the vine in a different way , with a fun trail to learn all about growing vines and the legends of Pineau des Charentes and Cognac. Located in Macqueville, this wine theme park is first and foremost a seven-generation family-run estate that promotes its local produce in a different way. To discover the vineyards of the Charente region, many wineries open their doors to you throughout the region, so don’t hesitate to stop by and see for yourself!
