Music is the heart of the abbey, with:
- the Festival de Saintes, a fantastic event dedicated to early music that always prominently features Bach,
- the Jeune Orchestre de l’Abbaye (JOA), a springboard for the music stage that provides young musicians from all over the world with a unique training in period instruments,
- Musicaventure, a connected, sensory exploration of the site,
- concerts all year round,
- long-term cultural outreach activities.
The abbey is also hospitable, welcoming visitors to its intentionally understated hotel.
The Abboutique promotes local produce and regional literary and musical works.
With its diverse audiences, long-term cultural outreach programme and the use of some of the site as state-rented lodgings and artists’ residences, the Abbaye aux Dames takes an active part in the life of Saintes residents. Propitious to exchanges and open to all, the abbey invites you to enjoy the emotions and pleasure of music with complete simplicity and authenticity.
These activities, which complement and mutually enrich one another, make the Abbaye aux Dames a unique musical ecosystem.
The Association Abbaye aux Dames, la cité musicale is a member of the network of Heritage Sites for Culture (Centres culturels de rencontre or CCR in French).
