Saintes
Rarely on the main tourist routes, Saintes is a hidden gem with a rich heritage dating back over 2000 years. It was once the capital of one of the tribes of Gaul (the Santons) and of the Roman province of Aquitaine.
Park on the market square and then discover the Old Town district around the cathedral. There is plenty to do in Saintes – not least of which is exploring one of the best selection of shops in the region.
Sainte is proud of its rich heritage and the Tourist Informaton centre can provide a suggested walk which provides the opportunity to stroll around the historic streets and discover the hidden glories of Saintes history.
In addition to the Cathédrale St-Pierre, there is a museum of fine arts (mainly devoted to paintings from the 15th to the 18th century) in the Presidial Museum of Fine Arts, and a further museum of fine arts in the Ancien Echevinage.
There is also the Jardins Publique which are decorated with Roman ruins; the Arc de Germanicus, a fine Roman ruin; the Abbaye aux Dames and - a short way from the centre of town - the Roman amphitheatre is a real gem.
Distance: 49km - 30miles - aprox 30mins |
