Abbaye aux Dames, La Cité Musicale Saintes
While staying in our beautiful region of Charente-Maritime, the team at The Originals Access Hotel Saintes Ouest Recouvrance recommends a visit to L'Abbaye aux Dames, a treasure trove of Romanesque art in Saintonge that you should not miss.
Founded in 1047, this must-see monument in Saintes was the first monastery for women in the province of Saintonge.
Over the centuries, the abbey has suffered several tragedies (fires, wars, etc.) which left scars on the monument.
It was during the 1970s and 1980s that the site was given a new lease of life after the restoration of the abbey: it became a cultural centre and a true Cité Musicale.
Today, musicians from all over the world are trained here, as well as performers and creators. Today, the Abbaye aux Dames has become a well-known music centre for music lovers.
But the most important event is the Festival de Saintes, which this year takes place from 16 to 23 July 2022 and attracts thousands of classical music lovers every year. Exceptionally, the 2022 edition of this international festival will take place in the town of Saintes due to the rehabilitation of the Abbey Church of Saint-Marie.
The Saintes Tourist Office offers a visit to the abbey with an audioguide for 9€ for adults and for children a specific booklet adapted to their age will be given to them with a reduced entrance fee of 6 Euros.
The visit includes the abbey church, the medieval garden, part of the dwelling and finally the remarkable pine cone-shaped bell tower with its stone scales and the panoramic view over the town of Saintes.
Would you like to discover the site on your own? Follow the breadcrumb trail of the Musicaventure! You will find various fun and sensory activities along the way, including the musical carousel. This unusual merry-go-round is located under a shell of mirrors and houses several giant instruments that visitors can hold in their hands and play a few musical notes.
Discover the history of the place
Founded in 1047, this must-see monument in Saintes was the first monastery for women in the province of Saintonge.
Over the centuries, the abbey has suffered several tragedies (fires, wars, etc.) which left scars on the monument.
It was during the 1970s and 1980s that the site was given a new lease of life after the restoration of the abbey: it became a cultural centre and a true Cité Musicale.
Today, musicians from all over the world are trained here, as well as performers and creators. Today, the Abbaye aux Dames has become a well-known music centre for music lovers.
But the most important event is the Festival de Saintes, which this year takes place from 16 to 23 July 2022 and attracts thousands of classical music lovers every year. Exceptionally, the 2022 edition of this international festival will take place in the town of Saintes due to the rehabilitation of the Abbey Church of Saint-Marie.
Visit the Abbey
The Saintes Tourist Office offers a visit to the abbey with an audioguide for 9€ for adults and for children a specific booklet adapted to their age will be given to them with a reduced entrance fee of 6 Euros.The visit includes the abbey church, the medieval garden, part of the dwelling and finally the remarkable pine cone-shaped bell tower with its stone scales and the panoramic view over the town of Saintes.
Would you like to discover the site on your own? Follow the breadcrumb trail of the Musicaventure! You will find various fun and sensory activities along the way, including the musical carousel. This unusual merry-go-round is located under a shell of mirrors and houses several giant instruments that visitors can hold in their hands and play a few musical notes.
