THE ABBAYE AUX DAMES
This convent, founded in 1047 by Geoffroy Martel and his wife Agnès
de Bourgogne, was the first religious institution for women in the Saintonge.
Its prestige continued up to the Revolution when the Benedictine nuns
were forced out. Of the original buildings, the 11th and 12th century
Chruch of Notre-Dame survives. The arches over the doorway and the bays
on the bell-tower are magnificent examples of Saintonge Romanesque art.
In the 17th century convent buildings, a permanent exhibition tells the
story of the site. The Abbey is now an important cultural centre, hosting
exhibitions, performances and a prestigious Music Festival in July.
www.abbayeauxdames.org
Two entrances : Rue Saint-Pallais and free car
park in Rue Geoffroy Martel.
+33 (0)5 46 97 48 48
Convent : entry : €2. Members and under 16 : free.
Opening times:
- from 01/10 to 31/03, open daily from 2 pm to 6 pm.
- from 01/04 to 30/09, open daily from 10 am to 12.30 pm and 2 pm to 7
pm.
GUIDED VISITS in July and August.
SAINT-EUTROPE CHURCH
Dedicated to the first evangelist and martyr in Saintes, the church was
built by Benedictine monks and consecrated in 1096 by Pope Urban II. Its
layout is unusual : two churches (choir and transept) were superimposed
and linked by a single nave (demolished in the 19th century).
Beautiful carved capitals. The simple and massive architecture of the
lower church (or crypt) houses the Saint's tomb.
The Flamboyant Gothic spire was built in the 15th century with a donation
from Louis XI.
Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site as part of the "Routes of
Santiago de Compostela".
Free entrance from 9am to 7pm
GUIDED VISITS in July and August.
SAINT-PIERRE CATHEDRAL
Of the Romanesque church built in the 12th century, only the dome over
the south transept survives. Its reconstruction during the 15th century
was interrupted by the Wars of Religion which damaged the nave and was
restarted in the 17th century. The building has the unusual outline of
an unfinished Gothic cathedral.
Free entrance from 9am to 7pm
GUIDED
VISITS in July and August.
Saintes, on the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Route
The via Turonensis was one of the four great routes leading to Santiago
de Compostella, with four prestigious halts as it crossed the Saintonge:
- Aulnay: 12th-century church with magnificent sculptures.
- Saint-Jean-d'Angély: Royal Abbey (which now houses the Centre
de culture européenne St-Jacques de Compostelle (Santiago de Compostella
European Cultural Centre)).
- Saintes: the capital of Saintonge.
- Pons: late 12th-century hospice.
This pilgrimage was very popular in the Middle Ages and pilgrims from
all over Europe still follow it today.
Practical information for pilgrims:
To record your passing via Saintes, you can stop off at the Office de Tourisme where your credential (pilgrim's passport) will be stamped with the seal of the crypt of St-Eutrope.
For information about the St-Eutrope hostel or further information about the Santiago de Compostella pilgrim route, you can contact:
o L'Association Saintaise des Chemins de Saint-Jacques (Saintes Association of the Santiago de Compostella Routes)
31, rue Cormier - 17100 Saintes -
+33 (0)6 73 56 94 04.A hosteller will welcome you every day between 4pm and 7pm from 15 April to 31 October and by reservation the rest of the year
o La société des Amis de Saint-Jacques en France (The French Society of Friends of Santago de Compostella)
4, square du Pont de Sèvres - 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
o Pastorale du Tourisme (Tourist Pastoral)
9, place du Mal Foch - 17000 La Rochelle -
+33
(0)5 46 41 38 90.