Abbaye aux Dames, Saintes
Abbaye aux Dames
An 11th-century Romanesque abbey with a distinctive scale-patterned pinecone bell tower, now a Music City and venue for the summer music festival
The abbey was founded in 1047 as a convent for noblewomen. Its church facade is finely carved, and the distinctive scale-patterned pinecone bell tower is a symbol of Saintes. The abbey now houses the Music City, which hosts the Saintes Classical Music Festival every July. Its immersive multimedia guide, the Music Carousel, is set within the abbey. The church is free to enter, but the guided programmes charge a fee. The abbey lies on the eastern bank of the Charente, about a 5-minute walk from the Arch of Germanicus.
Opening hours
About 10:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Arch of Germanicus
- Basilica of Saint-Eutrope, Saintes
- Saintes Amphitheatre
- Hôpital des Pèlerins, Pons
- Rémy Martin Cognac House
- Hennessy Cognac House
- Musée des Arts du Cognac
- Gabare Cruise on the Charente