Saintes, located in the Charente department of France, is a historic city renowned for its remarkably preserved Roman heritage. The atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking cultural depth and tranquility away from major tourist hubs. The city center is compact, allowing guests to easily explore key landmarks on foot. For frequent-flyer hotel travelers, Saintes offers a unique blend of historical significance and Provençal charm, providing a serene base for those interested in ancient history and quiet exploration.
🕐 Europe/Paris · 💱 EUR
It is recommended to stay in the old town center near the Saintes Cathedral and the Roman Amphitheatre. This area allows easy walking access to main attractions, offers convenient dining options, and maintains a quiet atmosphere suitable for travelers wishing to immerse themselves in the historical environment.
Saintes does not have a large international airport; the nearest major airport is Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport. Within the city, attractions are closely distributed, accessible by walking or short taxi rides. Rail connections are good, facilitating travel to surrounding cities.
Visit the Roman Amphitheatre and the ruins of the Seuil de Saintes, and stroll past the Saintes Cathedral. These landmarks are very close to most downtown hotels, offering an excellent choice for experiencing Roman history and medieval architecture.
(Temporarily closed) This pretty stone house two minutes from the Charente is the gourmet haunt of Pascal Yenk, who rustles up delicate, flavoursome cuisine with distinctive fresh notes and sweet-sour touches. A shell-less soft-boiled egg, sautéed asparagus and morels, or a low-temperature duckling, fragrant pastilla and confit of kumquat: everything is emblematic of the chef’s technique and generous nature. The garden patio offers a more casual experience courtesy of a tempting tapas and cocktail menu, all of which with slick, smiling service.
WebsiteA stone’s throw from the Abbaye aux Dames, now a concert venue, this stripped - back restaurant serves fresh, light, spontaneous food with a distinct preference for fine regional produce from the market, to which chef Vincent Coiquaud, basket in hand, goes daily. Plain, pleasant rooms for overnight stays.
WebsiteA butcher's son born on the Île d'Oléron, chef Benjamin Girard has chosen to focus on fish and seafood. In this narrow modern dining space done out in white and blue hues, the delicious dishes with creative touches keep on coming: mackerel half-cooked with a blowtorch, grilled watermelon and tomato water; halibut with a langoustine foam and blackberries; black forest gateau-style "explosive cherry" dessert. Eater-friendly prices and an enticing wine list with plenty of organic options.
WebsiteFall under the spell of this restaurant housed in an old farmhouse, where the chef has a penchant for beautiful seasonal ingredients (sourced from local producers or the aromatic plant garden located in the grounds). Drink in the view of the terrace, fountain and small lake through the bay windows, as you savour calf sweetbread, spatchcock, elderberry – the soft juicy meat makes for a taste sensation!
WebsiteThe handsome exterior of this 18C manor house, set in grounds, belies its 21C interior, visible in the various dining nooks: designer furniture, striking light fixtures, white walls, wine cabinets. A setting designed to inspire chef Jérôme Dallet, who has worked with Emmanuel Renaut (Megève) and Anne-Sophie Pic (Valence). Local produce is given pride of place (mogette beans, snails, Confolens lamb…) in the chef’s wonderfully indulgent gourmet score. Alfresco dining on the leafy terrace in fine weather is bliss.
WebsiteAttraction data from Wikidata (CC0) and open sources, ranked by notability and distance — for reference.
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