Located 20 minutes from Fontdouce Adventure Park, the town of Saintes is brimming with listed monuments, some of which date back to ancient times, and boasts a remarkable and very well-preserved heritage.
Saintes: ‘Towns and Regions of Art and History’
The town of Saintes was awarded the ‘Towns and Regions of Art and History’ label in 1989, ranking among the 190 French towns of artistic and historical interest thanks to the excellent preservation of its many monuments, but also because of its cultural and artistic activity. This label also designates towns and regions that involve their inhabitants and are committed to promoting heritage, passing on knowledge, conserving and mediating architecture. The label is therefore a recognition of the historical wealth of the town of Saintes and the activity created around it.
The ancient monuments of Saintes
Dating back to ancient times, the former Gallo-Roman amphitheatre in Saintes, located in the south-west of the town, has not been left to fall into ruin. Preserved, it is now open to visitors and hosts music festivals during the season. Thanks to their architecture, amphitheatres are known for their good natural acoustics and excellent sound diffusion.
The second monument, also dating back to Antiquity, is the Arch of Germanicus: it was a gift to Emperor Tiberius and financed by a wealthy Romanised Santon named Caius Julius Rufus. Standing 14.71 metres high and 15.8 metres long, it overlooks the city and at the time served to impress travellers while demonstrating the power of Rome. Finally, also classified as a historical monument, the thermal baths of Saint-Saloine, in the same spirit as the amphitheatre, are the remains of a thermal establishment that belonged to the Romans. Similarly, for the church of Saint-Saloine, built later and abandoned in the 16th century, it is still possible to see the remains of its walls.
The religious monuments of Saintes
From a religious perspective, there is the grand Abbaye aux Dames. This Romanesque-style abbey, characterised by its pinecone-shaped bell tower, was used until the French Revolution to educate young girls from good families. Restored between 1970 and 1980 following numerous wars and fires in the region, it now serves as a cultural centre at the heart of the ‘cité musicale’ (music city), which trains musicians from all over the world and hosts the Festival de Saintes, attracting large numbers of visitors.
There is also the Basilica of Saint Eutropius, founded in 1081 in honour of Saint Eutropius (martyr and bishop). It is often visited by pilgrims following the Way of Saint James and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Saint-Pierre Cathedral, another religious monument listed as a historic monument since 1862, is a monument that dominates the town of Saintes. Originally built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style, it was subsequently rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 15th century after the Hundred Years’ War and the conflicts between Catholics and Protestants.
Saintes Cultural Museum
In terms of culture, the museums in Saintes bear witness to the city’s rich cultural heritage. Starting with the Musée de l’Echevinage, which displays works such as paintings and sculptures dating from the 15th to the 20th century. The Dupuy-Mestreau Museum is housed in a former mansion and displays archaeological objects from the daily life of the Gallo-Romans dating back to Antiquity, as well as various collections of regional art.
So what are you waiting for? Come and visit the town of Saintes!
And above all, don’t forget to take your mind off things with a visit to Fontdouce Adventure Park and its tree-top adventure courses, 15 km from Saintes!
