TO DISCOVER AROUND SAINTES
TAILOR-MADE SIGHTSEEING TOURS : LET JOËLLE, YOUR TRILINGUAL HOST, BE YOUR GUIDE
Local history is more than a passion for Joëlle, it’s her job. As a licensed trilingual guide (French, English and German), Joëlle can put together a personalized tour or themed visit to help you discover the Charente-Maritime region in a different way. “With my company “La Guide à suivre”, the idea is to respond to my customers’desires, and so offer my services as a guide to my guests, too”, explains Joëlle, who wants to help curious visitors discover little-known gems of our region, such as the Versailles of Charente, the Château de la Mercerie, built by the two Rhétoré brothers in the 1930s, or the mysterious blue fountains of the Château de Beaulon. She can also suggest a tour of the various Romanesque churches around the guest house, a visit to the medieval center of Cognac, the discovery of the incredible history of the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes, or a personalized tour of La Rochelle or Royan.
Contact Joëlle on 07 86 85 96 15 to book your overnight stay at Les Herbes Folles and to organize your personal sightseeing tours (rates on request).
SAINTES, A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY
As a City of Art and History, the town of Saintes boasts a rich architectural heritage that invites you to take a fascinating journey through the ages. From its ancient past, the former capital of the roman province Aquitania has preserved its Gallo-Roman amphitheatre, one of the oldest in France, and the Arch of Germanicus. You can also discover traces of its medieval past in several remarkable Romanesque churches, as well as admire the 20th-century architecture of Art Nouveau houses.
But Saintes is much more than an open-air museum. It’s a dynamic, lively city, with a pedestrianized downtown area and charming alleyways lined with boutiques, restaurants and numerous markets.
JOËLLE'S FAVORITE : THE BASILICA OF SAINT-EUTROPE
Your host, Joëlle, a professional tourist guide, recommends a jewel of Romanesque and Gothic art, the Basilica of Saint-Eutrope in Saintes, one of the region’s major historic buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. This religious edifice will astonish you with its two superimposed choirs and its crypt, which is one of the largest in all of Europe. It is also a stopover on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
Nature and culture
Nature lovers? The banks of the Charente river offer magnificent walking and cycling trails, including the Flow Vélo cycle route. You can also board a boat or a gabare and discover the town from another angle.
Saintes is also a cultural city, with its museums and music festivals, the oldest of which, the Festival de Saintes, has been held every year in July at the Abbaye aux Dames since 1972! This not-to-be-missed event offers a rich and varied program of concerts, shows and encounters around classical music.
Whether you’re passionate about history, culture, nature or gastronomy, Saintes is bound to have something to offer you!
If you’re a sportsman and want to discover our countryside on the run, Henrik will show you the way!
LA ROCHELLE, A CAPTIVATING BREAK ON THE ATLANTIC COAST
Immerse yourself in the captivating history of La Rochelle, an ancient fortified town with cobbled streets and majestic towers. Let yourself be charmed by its unique maritime heritage, embodied by its lively Old Port, fascinating museums, and the renowned Aquarium.
Stroll along the quays, breathe in the iodized air and savor the delicious local cuisine based on fresh seafood. Climb to the top of the Lantern Tower for a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding islands.
Or take boat trip to the islands of Ré, Oléron and Aix, each with its own unique charm, sandy beaches and picturesque villages. La Rochelle is an ideal destination during a weekend stay in our Les Herbes Folles guest house.
COGNAC : DISCOVER ITS MEDIEVAL TOWN CENTER
Before it was famous for its amber-coloured eau-de-vie and its major trading houses, Cognac was known as the town of king François I. It was in Cognac castle that the monarch was born. Follow in his footsteps through cobbled streets, between half-timbered houses and historic monuments.
Discover architectural treasures such as the imposing royal castle and the 12th-century church of Saint-Léger. Stroll through the pedestrian streets, admire the impressive Porte Saint-Jacques and its majestic towers, or immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this town steeped in history.
Cognac has also much expertise in the art of French living. Take time to savour a coffee on the terrace of Place François-Ier, sample local produce in the lively markets, walk along the flower-filled quays, enjoy a cruise on the Charente river or discover the Jardin Public where the annual Cognac Blues Festival is held.
ROYAN, ARCHITECTURAL ESCAPADE BETWEEN OCEAN AND HERITAGE
Royan, a jewel on the Charente-Maritime coast, invites you to take a trip back in time through its architectural treasures. Let yourself be charmed by its Belle Époque villas, testimony to a rich seaside past. Stroll along the waterfront and admire buildings emblematic of post-war modernism, including the Palais des Congrès, the town’s historic landmark, which has just undergone a major restoration campaign. Modernist Notre-Dame church stands as a symbol of the resilience of the Royannais people in WWII, and the freshly renovated central market is a gourmet’s haven.
Stroll through the Parc district and fall under the spell of its fishermen’s cottages and villas dating from the early 1900s to the 1950s…
Royan is an open-air architectural spectacle, where every building tells its own story. However, don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and enjoy the fine sandy beaches of Saint-Georges de Didonne, Pontaillac and Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, or the pretty seaside village of Ronce-les-Bains, the La Coubre lighthouse and the wild Atlantic coast.
OUR FAVORITE TOWNS AND VILLAGES
A HIDDEN TREASURE
Aulnay de Saintonge
Come and discover Saint-Pierre church, one of the finest examples of Saintonge Romanesque art. Listed by Unesco as part of the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela, you’ll be delighted by the richness of its sculpted decoration, ranging from biblical scenes to a fantastical bestiary.
IDEAL STOPOVER FOR A PICNIC ON THE BANKS OF THE CHARENTE
Port-d’Envaux
Discover Port-d’Envaux, a picturesque village nestled on the banks of the Charente, where time seems to stand still. Let yourself be charmed by its cobbled streets and light-coloured stone houses, which are witnesses to its rich past. Savour local produce in one of the village’s restaurants or enjoy a glass of local wine on the terrace of a café overlooking the Charente river.
Don’t forget to visit the Lapidiales, a unique venue showcasing stone carving and the talents of sculptors from all over the world… not to forget the nearby castles of Crazannes, La Roche-Courbon and Panloy.
A VILLAGE WITH THE "PETITE CITÉ DE CARACTÈRE" LABEL
Saint-Sauvant
Discover Saint-Sauvant, a medieval village perched on a rocky outcrop, where art and history blend harmoniously. Climb up to its imposing Romanesque church and admire the old houses on Rue du Paradis.
But St-Sauvant is also a bubbling territory of artistic creation, with several artists’workshops. For a hike, take in the spectacular views over the Coran valley. You can also discover the valley on donkey-back, thanks to the Ânes de la Rêverie.
A real gem between Saintes and Cognac!
Pons
A HISTORIC AND PICTURESQUE STOPOVER IN THE HEART OF CHARENTE-MARITIME
Pons, a small medieval town perched on a rocky promontory, invites you to take a trip back in time. Stroll through its picturesque streets, admire its imposing keep built in the 12th century by Richard the Lionheart, the Pilgrims’Hospital listed by the UNESCO and discover a rich architectural heritage.
History and nature intertwine in Pons to offer you an unforgettable stopover.
TOWARDS THE ESTUARY
A JEWEL OVERLOOKING THE GIRONDE ESTUARY
Talmont
Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the Gironde estuary, Talmont-sur-Gironde reveals its medieval charms to the visitor. Labelled as a “Village de caractère” and counted among France’s most beautiful villages (“Plus Beau Village de France“), this heritage gem invites you to take an enchanting stroll through its cobbled streets.
Enter the bastide and let yourself be transported back to the 13th century. Admire the Romanesque church of Sainte-Radegonde, listed as a historic monument, and its marine cemetery, which offer a breathtaking panorama of the estuary.
The village also vibrates to the rhythm of its typical carrelets (fishing huts standing on stilts), talented craftsmen and welcoming terraces.
The last but not least: the legendary “Fontaines Bleues” in the 13-hectare grounds of Château de Beaulon, natural springs whose deep, calm, serene waters have a strange, magical dark-blue glow! After your stroll, you can taste exceptional pineau and cognac in the castle hall.
A GEM AT THE GATEWAY TO THE MÉDOC AND BORDEAUX
Blaye
Listed by UNESCO since 2008, the citadel designed by Vauban in the 17th century impresses not only with its imposing ramparts, but also with its panoramic views over the Gironde estuary.
Blaye is also a charming little town, with a traditional market, well-known vineyards and unique landscapes.
Come and discover this little pearl at the gateway to the Médoc and Bordeaux.
