La Rochelle and Saintes France

Travelled: 119km to La Rochelle and Saintes, Charente-Maritime, France

Stay: Brives sur Charente lovely grassy spot on the banks of the river (45.6782, -0.4617)

It was only a 30min drive from our overnight spot to La Rochelle. We were lucky to get a spot on the main road 800m to the quay as there are no parking restrictions on public holidays. 

The town is well known for it picturesque old port that is protected by the Chaîne and St.Nicholas towers. For 5 centuries they defended the port by stretching a chain from either side to block the entrance. 

There was the lantern tower which used to signal boats. Later it was used as a prison. 

There is an extensive history of battles, french and English occupation and religious wars. We walked around the waterfront and admired the port from different angles. 

We entered the old town via the 12th century clock tower. 

Then strolled along the narrow streets and under arcades of the old town lined with mansions and renaissance buildings. 

We had look in the cathedral. Although first constructed in 1152 it has been destroyed various times with the last time being in 1784 during the French Revolution. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the cathedral was finished.

An hour further along the road we stopped to have a look at Saintes which was founded in the 1st century and has examples in its architecture of its rich past.

The Gallo-Roman amphithéâtre (under restoration) is 126m long and 102m wide and several thousand people could be seated. During the Middle Ages the structure was used as a quarry but the foundations and some steps were recovered and restored.  

Over the otherside of the river bank was the Arch of Germanicus built in 19 in dedication to the emperor Tiberius, his son Drusus Julius Caesar and adoptive son Germanicus. Originally it was positioned over the Roman road. It has since been moved and restored in 1851.

We walked back over the river to see the cathedral which has also seen much destruction since it was originally built in the 12th century. 

We once again searched for a quiet place to stay the night on our way to our next destination, Cognac. We were very happy on the banks of La Charente on the outskirts of Brives sur Charente.