Saint-Sauveur-d'Aunis offers a range of reasons to visit: sacred architecture with a medieval history, a 19th-century chapel, pottery, a garden open to visitors seasonally and a food market. When planning your visit, the garden's seasonal opening times, tours offered on request and the event on 15 August are especially important. This will help you decide in advance whether your main interests are architectural history, crafts, plants or the market's offerings.
Sacred buildings from different periods
The Église de la Transfiguration is one of the few sacred buildings in the Aunis dating from the 11th and 12th centuries to have survived the Wars of Religion. Its crossing is vaulted with an octagonal, distinctly faceted dome. The crossing is the central intersection of a church; the dome therefore highlights a specific architectural feature. The church has been listed as a Monument historique since a decree of 27 February 1925.
The Chapelle Notre-Dame marks a different period: it was built from 1850 to 1854, after the residents made a vow following the end of the destruction of the grapevines caused by worms. The chapel contains ex-votos, regarded as anonymous expressions of recognition and gratitude. The church and chapel thus offer different historical points of reference: a medieval sacred building on the one hand, and a 19th-century building whose origins are tied to the residents' vow on the other.
The annual celebration on 15 August includes a procession from the Église de la Transfiguration to the Chapelle Notre-Dame. It brings the two sacred sites together for a specific religious occasion. Check the current arrangements for the procession before your visit.
Pottery, garden and food market
The La Poterie de Saint Sauveur workshop offers an opportunity to discover creativity and pottery. It spans two floors and displays decorative items as well as items for the table. In this way, decorative objects and tableware are presented side by side. The craft offers a different focus from the architectural history of the churches.
La Réserve Végétale d'Aunis is a horticultural business where around 30 varieties of aromatic and medicinal plants are grown. In 2026, visits to the garden in bloom were scheduled from May to September on Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. For a future trip, check the seasonal visiting hours in effect at that time. Guided tours for individuals and groups are available on request; confirm a reservation before travelling. The seasonal visiting period and the additional tours that must be requested are therefore two separate points to plan for.
The food market adds a selection of food to the cultural and craft offerings. Produce on offer includes vegetables, goat's cheese, oysters and Belgian fries from a food truck. The availability of individual products may vary seasonally. If you include the market in your travel plans, expect the selection to change.
Discover more destinations: Thairé, Salignac-Sur-Charente, Saujon, Barzan, Saint-Vivien, Saintes, Vervant, Romegoux
For the broader travel overview: Charente-Maritime.
