First published: 17/08/14.

Clyde 2.5

Saint-Savin Sur Gartempe

Saint-Savin sur Gartempe (Inscribed)

Saint-Savin sur Gartempe by Clyde

I visited this WHS in July 2014. It was one of my stopover points during my road trip to Portugal. It's quite out of the way and perhaps that is why not many have visited it. Nonetheless, it's worthwhile visiting and there are interesting places to visit nearby such as the Medieval town of Chauvigny and the Church of Notre-Dame la Grande in Poitiers (with a night light show in the summer months). Saint Savin sur Gartempe is a small quaint town with a huge abbey church. The best viewpoint can be enjoyed from the Medieval bridge on the opposite bank of the Gartempe river. The abbey and church proper can be visited for 6 euros and every 30 minutes or so there is a free guided visit in English. Part of the abbey has been converted into a visitor centre with several interactive information boards and videos. The church murals were definitely the highlight of my trip comparing them to the Sistine Chapel perhaps is a bit too much. I think that comparing them to the murals of Reichenau would be more appropriate. My favourite mural was the scene depicting Noah's ark (picture). On the whole it was a pleasant stopover to yet another splendid WH abbey.

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