Saintonge

Saintonge is a historic province in southwestern France, named after the ancient city of Saintes, which was known in Roman times as Mediolanum Santonum. In the Ancien Régime it formed a distinct territorial unit and lent its name to a regional cultural area along the Atlantic coast. In present-day administration, most of the historic Saintonge lies in Charente-Maritime, with smaller parts extending into Charente, within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

Geographically, Saintonge stretched along the Charente River valley and the Atlantic seaboard. It was bounded by Poitou to the north and Angoumois to the east, with a coastline characterized by estuaries, marshlands, and islands. The area includes a mix of coastal towns, fertile river valleys, and rural landscapes.

Historically, Saintonge was a province with its own governance within the Kingdom of France, centered on Saintes, a major Gallo-Roman settlement and later an archbishopric. The province remained significant through the Middle Ages and into early modern times. Following the French Revolution, provincial identities were reorganized into departments, and Saintonge was divided mainly between Charente-Maritime and Charente.

Culturally, Saintonge has a distinctive heritage, including the Saintongeais dialect, a regional form of the Oïl languages, and a landscape dotted with Romanesque churches and medieval towns. The region contributed to maritime trade and agriculture, and in the broader Charente area is associated with wine production, including cognac from nearby districts. The historic identity of Saintonge continues to be reflected in place names, architecture, and local traditions within its successor departments.