Sainte-Marie-des-Dames, Romanesque abbey in Saintes, France.
The Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames features rounded arches, solid stone walls, and a distinctive pine cone-shaped bell tower rising above the main structure.
Founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II and Agnes of Burgundy, this Benedictine nunnery became the first women's monastery in the Saintonge region of France.
The abbey maintains its legacy through the Festival de Saintes, an annual music event focusing on historical compositions performed within the medieval walls.
Visitors can explore the abbey through guided tours, which include access to the church, cloister, and exhibits explaining the religious life of medieval nuns.
The former nun cells have been transformed into hotel rooms, allowing guests to spend the night in spaces where Benedictine sisters once lived.
Location: Saintes
Architectural style: Romanesque architecture
Website: http://abbayeauxdames.org
GPS coordinates: 45.74472,-0.62417
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:41
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