Abbaye aux Dames, Saintes, France

The Abbaye aux Dames ('Ladies' Abbey') was the first Benedictine nunnery in Saintes. The abbey was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II, Count of Anjou, and his wife Agnes. Agnes later retired to the nunnery and died there.

One of its abbesses was Agnès of Barbezieux (1134–1174), whose relative, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was a generous donor to the abbey. The abbey church, Sainte-Marie-des-Dames, dates from the 12th century.

References:

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User Reviews

Andrew Holt (4 months ago)
Don't normally like audio guides on self guided tours, this one's included in entry price & is essential to access the most interesting areas, also helps that the guides funny & informative.

Vrushali Patil (8 months ago)
Lovely wedding place however they are limited on bathroom spaces and cpuld benefit from better signage.

angela lambert (2 years ago)
Very pretty in a small place stranded in for half an hour on way to to Bordeaux.

Rose Youtube (2 years ago)
Make sure if you get an audio it is clearly explained. My audio battery ran out shortly after starting the tour. Being on a tight timeframe, I couldn't catch my wife and returned the audio and waited for my wife to finish the tour. Disappointingly, they were unwilling to provide a refund.

Luca Lategan (3 years ago)
Worth a visit to see the ancient sculptures and architecture that has been well and) preserved!

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Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

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