On the banks of the Charente, as it meanders towards the Atlantic, the city of Saintes was once the Roman capital of Aquitaine.
Ancient Mediolanum Santonum’s ruins, like the amphitheater, arches, baths and countless fragments of sculpture and stonework, are all weathered but soul-stirring. Move forward in time and Saintes swayed through the historic province of Saintonge and was equipped with Romanesque Abbaye aux Dames and the Saint-Europe Pilgrimage Church. These monuments are made even more solemn and atmospheric by the Medieval and Renaissance music lines at the Festival de Saintes every July. There is also the easy fun of Charente and its riverside parks, or the delicious taste of Cognac distilled nearby. Discover the best things to do in Saintes.
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1. Amphitheatre Gallo-Romain
The finest of what’s left of ancient Mediolanum Santonum, Saintes’ Roman amphitheater dates to the Rule of Emperor Claudius in 40AD. In its time it could have seated up to 15,000 spectators, who would have crammed in to watch gladiator fights and battles with wild beasts.
The lowest sitting floor is still intact, like some arches, and you can easily create the texture of stone terraces and working paths on the surrounding hillsides.
2. Abbaye aux Dames
Founded by Earl Anjou in the 11th century and with many traces of its original architecture, Abbey aux Dames is a Benedictine Monastery for women from noble families. Eleanor of Aquitaine donated to the monastery, while Agnes of Burgundy retired here after Earl Anjou's death.
The abbey church is the oldest part, with Roman architecture in the 11th and 12th centuries, with an iconic pine cone bell tower.
3. Arch of Germanicus
Older than the amphitheater, this splendid archway is from the reign of Tiberius, around the Year 18.
Though superficially, it was actually a triumphal arch built to commemorate a battle, but instead was sponsored by a wealthy local citizen in honor of Emperor Tiberius, whose son was Drusus and his grandson and his adopted son Germanicus. This information has been deduced from the very faint inscriptions in the stone.
4. Saintes Cathedral
You can learn a lot about Saintes just by thinking about its church for a while. What will strike you immediately is the squatting appearance of its bell tower. This was covered with a bronze dome instead of a tower because the original was damaged during the French Religious War in the 16th century.
In the wake of the conflict there weren’t enough funds to restore the spire, so ever since the tower has stood at 58 meters instead of 96.
5. Musée Archéologique
When Saintes began excavating Roman sites in the 19th century, it unearthed incredible rock storage. These were eventually transferred into the city's old butchery city, on the right bank of Charente, a few steps from the Arch of Germanicus.
By order of the curator of the Saintes museum, the newly redesigned site looks like a Roman house with arches and arches. In the sculptures of all descriptions; funeral, decoration, and religion, along with reliefs, column fragments, and mosaic extract.
But the pinnacle was the headless statue sculpted from Carrara marble and believed to depict Drusus Caesar, the son of Germanicus.
6. Basilique Saint-Eutrope
An important stop on the St James pilgrimage road, this 11th-century church consists of a lower and upper church.
The lower church is the one that needs to be on your agenda: It’s a Romanesque wonder that houses the cenotaph of Saint Eutrope, at the center of a choir with the most expertly carved capitals.
This is located below the main church above so the church's normal activities can continue above while pilgrims can enter and pray at the tomb of Saint Eutrope, before continuing. Taking a minute to adjust your lighting and subterranean space will reveal its secrets.
7. Jardin Public
Down from the Arch of Germanicus on the right bank of Charente, Jardin Public is three hectares of land and gardens, woven with a network of roads. For children, there’s a playground and a little menagerie with goats and ducks.
And perhaps the nicest spot for a wander in the alley next to the Charente where you can see the river traffic, boats moored on the wooden pontoons and can look across to the cathedral. There is also a lovely old orange in the park that has been converted into a de-salted salon.
8. Logis du Gouverneur Belvedere
This land is located on a road above the old town currently being renovated, but it is still worth looking forward to looking around. First, you have the Logis de Godarneur, a handsome 17th-century castle, the last relic of the 17th-century citadel of Saintes.
But maybe even better is the scenery that you can walk through the city from the cliff path. What will show you about the landscape is the sea of terracotta roof tiles, reminding you that you are going to the south of France in Saintes.
9. Charente Cruises
In the 16th century, King Francis I declared Charente the most beautiful river in the kingdom, and in Saintes, there were many opportunities to find out if he was right.
For those who want to sit back and watch the blue shores washed down by ships like Bernard Palissy II and La Gabare, have moored at the jetty in Saintes and provided yachts on this wide and winding river throughout. day.
There is a commentary on the stone villages and the countryside that you will come across, and information packages are provided for non-French speaking people. You could also hire a boat of your own for a couple of days and most of the local companies have a craft that doesn’t require a boat license.
10. Haras National
Enveloped in ten hectares of cedar and airplane park in the east of the city are the stately neoclassical buildings of Saintes Saint National Stud (Haras). The organization was founded by Louis XIV and a branch that has been based in Saintes since the mid-19th century.
Its job is to select, preserve and improve the breed, from horse racing to donkey Poitou, which is famous for its shaggy fur.
There is a museum in the hall, with a horse-drawn carriage and knowledge of the traditional occupations of the caravan (hooves specialist), the groom, and the saddle maker.
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