Guided tour - History and secrets of the upper town
Guided tours
Adult €5.00
Teenagers (12 to 17 years old) €5.00
Free with the Pass!
Take a step back in time and retrace the history of Saintes with your guide. This 45-minute tour begins with a visit to the Saint-Louis belvedere and its exceptional panorama of the town and river.
Included with the La Rochelle Océan Pass: your pass gives you access to 1 guided or commented tour of Saintes to choose from among 4 offered according to the seasonal calendar: The Cathedral and the lower town; History and secrets of the upper town; The church of Saint-Eutrope and the life of the pilgrims; The small electrain.
Must be booked in advance (except for the little electric train).
Additional information
Departure from Place du Capitole, duration 45 min.
From this promontory and its unrestricted view, discover the great hours of Saintes: the Gallo-Roman city, the Middle Ages marked by the construction of numerous churches, the classical city and the slate roofs of its town houses.
Reservation
Reservations must be made by telephone with the Office de l'agglomération de Saintes et la Saintonge: 05 46 74 23 82, giving your pass number. Subject to availability.Opening hours
From 7 July to 17 September 2025: every Monday at 10am.River cruise Charente cruise
A 1h30 river walk to discover the secrets of the River Charente. Take a trip down the river and back in time on this guided tour on the theme of history and biodiversity.
Included with La Rochelle Océan Pass: your pass gives you access to 1 river trip in Saintes to choose from among 2 offered according to the seasonal calendar: Balade des Gabariers; Balade de la Charente.
Booking essential.
Guided tour - The cathedral and the lower town
Follow the guide on a 1? hour walking tour through the charming alleyways and secret corners of the historic centre to discover the living history of Saintes.
Included with the La Rochelle Océan Pass: your pass gives you access to 1 guided or commented tour of Saintes to choose from among 4 offered according to the seasonal calendar: The Cathedral and the Lower Town; History and Secrets of the Upper Town; The church of Saint-Eutrope and the life of pilgrims; The Little Electrain.
Booking essential (except for the little electric train).
Guided tour - The church of Saint-Eutrope and the life of the pilgrims
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, this large Romanesque priory dating from the late 11th century boasts unique architecture and exceptional sculpted decoration. Both a monastery and a place of devotion for pilgrims since the Middle Ages, the sanctuary still moves us with its crypt, one of the largest in Europe.
Included with the La Rochelle Océan Pass: your pass gives you access to 1 guided or commented tour of Saintes to choose from among 4 offered according to the seasonal calendar: The Cathedral and the lower town; History and secrets of the upper town; The church of Saint-Eutrope and the life of the pilgrims; The small electrain.
Must be booked in advance (except for the little electric train).
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Access by bus
Bus connection BUSS :
Stop at Theatre - Lines A and C then walk to Place du Capitole (about 4 minutes).
BUSS bus routes, timetables and traffic changesPLEASE NOTE: BUSS network buses are not included in your La Rochelle Océan Pass. You must pay for your tickets when you board.
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Access by car
Free parking Place du 11 novembre, 230 spaces.
ADVANTAGE INCLUDED in your La Rochelle Océan Pass (adult rate only): receive a €10 discount on the hire of a Yélomobile car.
Reach the sites included in your pass around La Rochelle with the yellow-topped Yélomobile car-sharing car: book in advance for 1 hour or several days and Yélomobile cars will help you get around near La Rochelle.Details of prices and conditions of access to the Yélomobile service.
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Access by train
The train journey from La Rochelle takes an average of 1 hour to Saintes. The SNCF station is a 25-minute walk from Place du Capitole, where the guided tour starts; you can also take a BUSS bus (not included in your La Rochelle Océan Pass).
ADVANTAGE INCLUDED in your La Rochelle Ocean Pass: unlimited access to TER NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE trains between La Rochelle and Saintes.
In the application, press the ‘TER train transport’ button and then the button for your destination, i.e. La Rochelle < > Saintes. Generate your ticket by pressing the ‘Press here to validate your TER train ticket when boarding’ button. Your e-ticket will appear: it is valid for 2 hours. For your return journey, generate a new ticket by repeating the previous operation.Find TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine train timetables easily.
Saintes and Saintonge Tourist Office
The Saintes and Saintonge Tourist Office invites you to discover the remarkable history and heritage of Saintes, which has been awarded the ‘Ville et Pays d'art et d'histoire’ (City and Region of Art and History) label, on water rides and guided tours of the historic town (booking required).