Visiting Saintes and Cognac
Two cities with an exceptional heritage that are a must-see during your stay!
From your campsite near Saintes Val de Boutonne, Saintes is just 25 km and Cognac 35 km away, two ideal destinations for days ofexploration rich in history, culture and flavors. Between Gallo-Roman remains, century-old wine cellars, Renaissance châteaux and strolls along the Charente, the golden Saintonge region has unforgettable memories in store for you.
Complete your program with our other ideas: explore La Rochelle, Rochefort and the Ile d’Oléron, go to the Palmyre zoo, visit the La Rochelle aquarium or discover the Marais Poitevin.
Saintes and Saintonge
There are many sites and monuments to visit in and around Saintes. The region’s cultural heritage is extremely rich.
Saintes, listed as a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (City of Art and History), is one of the most beautiful cities in Charente-Maritime. As the ancient Gallo-Roman capital of Saintonge, it offers a fascinating insight into over 2,000 years of history and creativity. Start your visit at theGallo-Roman amphitheatre, one of the oldest in Gaul, built in the 1st century AD to accommodate over 15,000 spectators. Not far from there, theArch of Germanicus, erected in 18-19 AD, is one of the ten most beautiful Gallo-Roman remains in France, and an ideal starting point for exploring the city along the Green Line, a tourist route marked out on the ground and linking all the must-see monuments in the historic center.
Don’t miss theAbbey aux Dames, the first women’s monastery in Saintonge, now converted into a musical city with its world-unique musical carousel. The Basilica of Saint-Eutrope, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a stage on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, boasts one of the largest Romanesque crypts in Europe. For castle lovers, the Château de la Roche-Courbon (30 min from the campsite), the Château de Panloy and the Château de Crazannes, nicknamed the “Château du Chat Botté”, are well worth a visit. River cruises on the Charente in an electro-solar boat, in a gabare with commentary or in a canoe offer a whole new way of discovering the town and its surroundings. To plan your stay, visit theSaintes et la Saintonge tourist office website.
Cognac, a city of many facets
Just 35 km from the campsite, Cognac, also a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire, is much more than just the world capital of eau-de-vie. Discover its medieval historic center, its half-timbered houses, the imposing Saint-Léger church and the lively quays of the Charente, ideal for a bucolic stroll. The Château Royal de Cognac, where François Iᵉʳ was born in 1494, overlooks the river superbly and houses the cellars of the Baron Otard cognac house: a visit that brilliantly blends royal history and the secrets of eau-de-vie.
Let’s not forget that Cognac is also an exceptional product known and recognized the world over: cognac.Wine tourism is, of course, Cognac’s star attraction. The great houses of Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin, Camus and Meukow open their doors for immersive tours of their century-old warehouses, stills and ageing cellars, always followed by memorable tastings. Cognac, made from Charentais wines since the XVIIᵉ century, is now listed as part of France’s intangible cultural heritage, a fascinating human and industrial adventure to explore along the streets. To prepare your visit, visit theCognac Tourist Office website.
Family visits
Saintes and the surrounding area are packed with activities for the whole family! The Paléosite de Saint-Césaire, Europe’s leading prehistory interpretation center, just 10 km from Saintes, transports young and old into the world of Neanderthal, with animal reconstructions, archaeological digs, flint knapping and cave painting.
A must-see for curious families! For a fun way to explore our heritage, Terra Aventura, a free geocaching application, lets you discover Saintes and the villages of Saintonge through treasure hunts punctuated by enigmas and surprises. Seven routes are available in Saintonge. More traditionally, the Château de Panloy offers a treasure hunt and a large nature trail for children, while the Château d’Usson, converted into a theme park, offers a life-size treasure hunt with 27 adventure games in a wooded setting. To find out more, take a look at our selection of things to do in Charente-Maritime!
We offer special rates with the Saint-Césaire Paleosite and the Fâ Museum (see conditions at the campsite reception).
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