The abbey was founded in 1047 by Geoffroy Martel, Count of Anjou, and his wife Agnes of Burgundy.
The church facade is famous for its 'triumphal arch' style, featuring a complex program of carved limestone sculptures.
During the French Revolution, the abbey's bells were melted down to cast cannons.
The abbey functioned as a prestigious boarding school for young noblewomen for over seven centuries.
The site hosts 'Musicaventure', an interactive experience utilizing binaural 3D audio technology to explain the abbey's history.
The abbey's church is noted for its acoustic qualities, which influenced its conversion into a primary center for early music performances.
The bell tower is one of the few surviving examples of the flamboyant Gothic style in the Saintonge region.
The Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes is a former Benedictine convent founded in 1047, functioning today as a major site for classical and baroque music. It is best known for its Romanesque church featuring a highly ornate western facade, which is considered a masterpiece of the Saintonge region. The site historically served as an aristocratic retreat for the daughters of the highest nobility. Following the French Revolution, the buildings were repurposed for various uses, including a military prison and a barracks. In the 1970s, the abbey was transformed into a music venue, hosting the Festival de Saintes every summer. The current facility includes a professional sound studio, the 'Musicaventure' immersive exhibit, and restored conventual buildings. The church remains a consecrated space with a prominent bell tower that offers views over the Charente River. Visitors can explore the cloister, the convent's various rooms, and the musical archives housed on-site.
The western portal of the church from the courtyard, which provides the best angle of the Romanesque stone carvings.
Use the binaural audio headsets provided at the entrance to fully experience the immersive historical tours.
Check the schedule for live concert rehearsals, as the abbey is an active center for musical production.
Allow extra time to wander the monastic garden located behind the convent buildings.
Do not overlook the upper levels of the convent; the historic refectory and dormitory levels are often missed by visitors who only see the church.
The site is occasionally closed to the public during private concert rehearsals or during the buildup to the Festival de Saintes.
Maintain a quiet tone when inside the church, as it is a space for meditation and performances.
