La Saintonge
Cultural and archaeological richness of Saintes
Mediolanum Santonum, today called Saintes, first developed thanks to the Romans. Located on the Agrippa road which linked it to Lyon, today it preserves the remains of a prestigious Roman city!
In the 10th century, Christian fervor transformed the Saintonge valley, dotting it with Romanesque buildings with magnificent sculpted capitals. Saintes is still an important stopover today for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
Visits
Gallo-Roman remains of Barzan and Saintes, including the amphitheater of Saintes, the Arch of Germanicus or the thermal baths of Saint-Saloine.
Romanesque churches and religious buildings that can be found in many towns and villages.
The stops on the Camino de Santiago, such as the Pons Pilgrim Hospital, listed as World Heritage.
The coastal fortifications: Fort Boyard, Fort Louvois, Citadel of Château d’Oléron.
The fortified towns and churches along the Charente.
The castles of Javarzay, La Rochecourbon, Taillebourg.
The historic centers of Saintes and Saint-Jean-d’Angély.
The bridges of the Charente estuary: Tonnay-Charente suspension bridge, Martrou transporter bridge near Rochefort.
Guided tours of the National Stud of Saintes.
Visits and tastings in cellars and wine estates.
Barge trips on the Charente: In summer, the barges take you on thematic cruises from one hour to one and a half hours. Climb aboard these traditional wooden boats and let yourself be rocked by the Charente River. There is something for everyone with cruises on the history of the gabariers or the mysteries of the River.
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