Saintes Attractions
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Saintes (pop. 25,628), in antiquity the capital (Mediolanum) of a Celtic tribe, the Santoni, and later chief town of the French province of Saintonge, is attractively situated on the left bank of the Charente. It was the birthplace of Dr J.I. Guillotin (1738- 1814), inventor of the guillotine.
In the old town is the former cathedral of St-Pierre, built between 1117 and the 15th C., which was destroyed by the Calvinists in 1568 and soon afterwards rebuilt. Its most notable features are the richly decorated Gothic doorway and the 72 m/236ft high tower.
To the southwest is the church of St-Eutrope, consecrated in 1096, with a tower of 1496. In the crypt under the church is the tomb of St Eutrope (Eutropius), first bishop of Saintes.
In the old town is the former cathedral of St-Pierre, built between 1117 and the 15th C., which was destroyed by the Calvinists in 1568 and soon afterwards rebuilt. Its most notable features are the richly decorated Gothic doorway and the 72 m/236ft high tower.
To the southwest is the church of St-Eutrope, consecrated in 1096, with a tower of 1496. In the crypt under the church is the tomb of St Eutrope (Eutropius), first bishop of Saintes.
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Saintes, Cognac
