Abbaye aux Dames, la cité musicale

The Abbaye aux Dames, founded in 1047, was the first abbey entirely for women in the Saintonge.
For over a thousand years, people reflected, slept, traded, studied and prayed at the abbey. Today as “la cité musicale” it continues its role as a hub of creation.
Music is central to the activites at the abbey, with in particular:
- the Festival de Saintes, where early music evolves towards a more contemporary approach. Not tobe missed !
- the Jeune Orchestre de l'Abbaye, a unique training course on period instruments for young musicians of all nationalities. A veritable springboard preparing young musicians for the stage.
- Musicaventure, a connected and sensory way to visit the abbey.
- concerts all year round.
The abbey also welcomes visitors to its hotel with its deliberate style of simple sobriety.
The shop promotes local products, regional literary and musical works.
The abbey's commitment to be active in the lives of the local population is shown by the diversity of its audiences, a long-term commitment to cultural mediation, on-site subsidized housing and artist residencies. The abbey is open to everyone, encouraging all to share, in all simplicity and without artifice, in the emotions and pleasure of music. All these mutually reinforcing and enriching activities
make the Abbaye aux Dames a unique musical ecosystem.
MUSICAVENTURE: All year round you can explore the abbey through a sensory and connected experience.
There are different ways to explore:
- les Voyages Sonores, a gentle approach. Music and history of the abbey are told, whispered, sung.
- les Siestes Sonores, the emblematic concerts of the Festival de Saintes can be enjoyed in a deckchair with headphones in superb 3D sound.
- the Musical Carrousel, a unique merry-go-round inhabited by the “Bazilik” which houses giant and digital musical instruments.
- the classic audio guide.