The picturesque inland town of Saintes is located close to the Atlantic Ocean in western France, in an area better known for its seaside resorts than its charming historic villages. However, Saintes has become a popular day trip destination for those holidaymakers staying on the coast, while if you choose to stay in Saintes, you are only ever a short drive from a day on the beach. Situated on the banks of the River Charente, the town is not only home to some intriguing and unsual historical attractions, but also plenty of green open spaces.
The best way to explore the town and the surrounding area is on a boat trip up the Charente river. These run fairly frequently in the summer months, when the climate is usually warm and sunny. Not only do you get a good view of the riverside buildings, but most trips take you either further inland or towards the coast, showing off the beautiful Poitou-Charente countryside. The town itself is home to two major historical attractions ; the Abbaye aux Dames and a collection of Roman remains and ruins. The Abbey was built in the 11th century and is open to the public, who can tour the restored building admiring many of the original architectural features and pieces of religious artwork. Visitors can even climb the clock tower to get a view over Saintes and as far as the sea. The most impressive Roman ruins in the town are probably the Arc de Germanicus, built in 18D as the entrance to a now-destroyed bridge, and the amphitheatre on the outskirts of the town. Although little of the latter structure is standing, you can get a great idea of the scale of the original building from what does remain.
Seaside resorts like Royan and La Rochelle are only a short drive away, if visitors are determined to enjoy a day on the beach, while the Palymre Zoo, also on the road to Royan, is a great attraction for families with children. Home to over 1,000 animals and some impressive conservation programmes, the summer months also see staff putting on shows involving parrots and sea lions. Once at the coast, it is only a short drive onwards to the pretty Ile d'Oleron, with its unspoilt beaches, quiet cycle and hiking paths and oyster beds. If you enjoy your seafood, then had to one of the island's seafood restauarants to sample oysters that were only picked that morning.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Saintes? Then below is a selection of gites in Saintes and villas in Saintes that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
