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IN BRIEF
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The territory of Saintes Agglo now benefits from a brand new tourist office located in the heart of the city, at 2 avenue Gambetta. Inaugurated in the presence of local and national personalities, this completely reimagined venue aims to be a truly dynamic showcase of heritage, culture, and local initiatives. Over more than 80 square meters, the new space embodies a clear ambition: to promote the reception and presence of Saintes and Saintonge. This article presents the major assets of this new structure that energizes the territory, its modern facilities, its central role, as well as the values of sustainable tourism that guide its missions.
A rethought and open reception area
The new tourist office in Saintes, located in a prominent two-story building easily identifiable from the Palissy bridge, now offers a significantly larger reception area. With its 80 square meters, it prioritizes space and friendliness. The furniture, custom designed, structures the area around a reception counter shaped like an amphitheater, inviting exchange and discovery. This design choice, developed by the Gravière and Foulon agency, gives the place an atmosphere that is both modern and rooted in local history, reminiscent of the city’s famous arenas. Thus, the reception of visitors gains in efficiency and warmth.
A symbolic building in the heart of Saintes
The location of the building at 2 avenue Gambetta, formerly occupied by a bank, places it on the city’s main artery, making it particularly accessible. On the ground floor, visitors are welcomed in a bright and open space, a true crossroads of tourist information about Saintes and Saintonge. The upper floor houses the staff offices, while the last level accommodates the attractiveness agency dedicated to project holders and businesses interested in the territory. Thus, the visibility of the tourist office makes it an essential tool for promoting and enhancing the region to tourists, project holders, and economic actors.
Promotion of local products and highlighting local initiatives
In line with current trends in sustainable tourism, this new tourist office gives considerable space to the promotion of local initiatives. A dedicated area highlights local products such as pineau or local preserves, allowing visitors to discover the gastronomic riches of Saintonge. Additionally, there is a corner dedicated to local bibliography, conducive to exploring the history, archaeology, and cultural heritage of the region. The office’s displays also serve as a communication space for posters and events, fostering interaction between residents, visitors, merchants, and producers. These dynamics align with a desire to create a close link between tourism and local development.
A commitment to sustainable and accessible tourism
During the inauguration, the delegate minister for Tourism, Nathalie Delattre, emphasized the importance of this establishment in enhancing the territories of the interior. The office team is committed to promoting sustainable tourism by actively supporting soft mobility such as walking, cycling, or public transport. This approach aligns with current trends and the increasing expectations of visitors for responsible and environmentally friendly practices. The surrounding neighborhoods thus benefit from the dynamism brought by this innovative place of exchange and information.
Modern facilities for an enriched experience
The new tourist office stands out for the diversity of its thematic spaces. Besides brochures and guides detailing the many activities available in the agglomeration, a large geographical map allows visitors to visualize major points of interest. A video space continuously screens a promotional film showcasing the diversity of the region’s tourist offerings. Visitors are also invited to consult works dedicated to local history or to orient themselves using well-stocked display racks. On the first floor, the staff now enjoys a spacious break room with a view of the Charente, while a detailed map provides a synthetic vision of the must-see attractions.
A place for life, projects, and cultural transmission
This new tourist office project is accompanied by the reconversion of other spaces, like the former location on Place Bassompierre. This space is promised to host upcoming temporary exhibitions, adding a cultural dimension to the city’s attractiveness. Furthermore, during the inauguration, activities such as interventions from Senator Rufus or costumed characters punctuated the event, affirming the office’s role as a vibrant and unifying hub for the community. This spirit fits into a broader logic of renewal and dynamism, mirroring initiatives observed in other territories, as evidenced by comparable projects presented on this page dedicated to the new era of tourist offices.
Adaptation to the evolutions of local tourism
Saintes also takes advantage of the new office to adapt to conjunctural changes. The boat “Ville de Saintes”, an emblematic vessel for trips on the Charente, can no longer navigate, thus suspending boat trips temporarily. However, the territory continues to innovate, with replacement projects on the horizon, reflecting a constant capacity for adaptation. This dynamic renewal also inspires other territories, as illustrated in the transition of the tourism direction in Corrençon, the new tourist office in Erquy, or the meetings and workshops in Trégor.
A strengthened regional ambition and increased appeal
With this modern and functional space, Saintes Agglo displays a renewed ambition: to become a reference in welcoming and enhancing its territory. Thanks to its innovative services, strategic location, and local partnerships, the tourist office positions itself as a driver of regional dynamism and a model for other similar initiatives, like the OFF program in Avignon. The new tourist office fully participates in the dynamics of modernization, transmission, and exchange that energize Saintes Agglo, looking towards the future while highlighting the strengths of its past and its way of life.
