Tourism: The Saintes Agglomeration presents its new spring-summer collection of events

From May 13th to 24th, in Écoyeux (football field), in Vénérand (at Fontaines) and then in Gonds (church parking lot), the Poly'sons company will bring these three towns to life with its shows and workshops offered under its big top. Free of charge or at low prices (5 euros). Wednesday, May 14th, in Écoyeux, children will be able to try their hand at improvisational theater (from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., for 6-8 year olds; from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., for 9-11 year olds, register at the town hall at 05 46 95 96 51).

Local associations are also involved, with volunteers from the Vénérand library, for dramatized reading workshops (Thursday, May 15 in Écoyeux), a cabaret meal on the evening of the performance of "Nougaro, the Swallow and Us" (Friday, May 16 in Écoyeux, 20 euros registration at the town hall). Repeat performance the following week (May 20, 21, 23 and 24) at Les Gonds, with dance workshops (May 20 and 21) and shows "Three Colors on the Hill" (May 21 at 8:30 p.m.), "Paris Cicada" (May 23 at 8:30 p.m.), "Les Sœurs Normandie" (May 24 at 3 p.m.)

2 The Preludes travel to nine municipalities

From June 6 to 22, nine municipalities in Saintes Grandes Rives l'Agglo will host one of three groups chosen by David Théodoridès, director of the Abbaye aux Dames, co-organizer. The idea is to bring classical music to as many people as possible, with a pre-concert activity in each village. "Like last year, Préludes Kids is back with outreach activities for young audiences in schools and after-school centers in the municipalities where the concerts will take place," he says.

The Synthèse quartet: Friday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. in Saint-Bris-des-Bois (abbey), Saturday, June 7 at 8:30 p.m. in Saint-Sauvant, Sunday, June 8 at 4 p.m. in Écurat. The quintet Le Bateau ivre: Thursday, June 12 at 8:30 p.m. in La Chapelle-des-Pots; Friday, June 13 at 8:30 p.m. in Pisany, Saturday, June 14 at 8:30 p.m. in Rouffiac. The Procris ensemble: Friday, June 20 at 8:30 p.m. in Montils, Saturday, June 21 at 8:30 p.m. in Chaniers, Sunday, June 22 at 4 p.m. in Courcoury. And it's free.

Sunday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., starting from Chaniers, the ^5th edition of the Escapade will be held on foot (11-kilometer loop), by bike (45-kilometer loop), in a boat, and, new for 2025, on horseback (20 km loop). On the river, two options are available: a day trip from Chaniers to Saint-Vaize (19.5 km); an afternoon trip from Saintes to Saint-Vaize (9.5 km). Eight towns are participating: Chaniers, Saintes, Bussac-sur-Charente, Le Douhet, Vénérand, Saint-Vaize, Fontcouverte and Écoyeux. Musical entertainment will punctuate the day in Chaniers, Saintes (Baby Brass band) and Saint-Vaize (Les Cactus Riders vocal quartet).

Cost: 5 euros for adults; free for children under 12. Free shuttle service. Register at www.saintes-tourisme.fr or at the Saintes Tourist Office.

This summer, Varzay (recreational area, June 27), Thénac (castle park, July 11), Saintes (hamlet of Narcejac, July 25) and Villars-les-Bois (near the village hall, August 8) are the four towns that will each be organizing a Rural Escape on a Friday evening. The format remains the same: shows, concerts, but also local products with a farmers' market (from 6 to 9 p.m.) and large tables for dining. Just remember to bring your own cutlery. Free.

Open-air cinemas are also back, thanks to the support of the Saintes association Le Peuple créateur, which is setting up its outdoor projector for five free screenings on a Friday at nightfall. Five screenings are on the menu, all preceded by pre-evenings with tours or shows and something to quench your thirst and eat: "Bohemian Rapsody," July 4, in Préguillac (recreational area); "Un P'tit Truc en plus," July 18, at 10:30 p.m. in La Jard (3, impasse de la Cour); "La Panthère des neiges," August ¹ , at 10 p.m. in Dompierre-sur-Charente (river banks); "Ce qui nous lie," August 22 at 9:30 p.m., in Bussac-sur-Charente (Eperches garden); "Les Visiteurs," August 29 at 9:30 p.m. in Corme-Royal (football field annex).

6 Classic in Saintes

The usual events will take place in Saintes throughout the summer: the Festival of Urban Cultures (June 21-22); Women's Beach Volleyball (July 4-5); Festival of Saintes (July 12-19); Mardis de Saint-Louis (July 15-August 12); Sites en scène (August 14-16); Blues in Saintes (August 17); Atlantic Transe (August 21-23)...

www.saintes-tourisme.fr