Wikipedia
Sainte-Marie-des-Dames
The Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames was the first Benedictine abbey for women in Saintes in Charente-Maritime in France. It was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II, Count of Anjou and his wife Agnes. Later, Agnes would retire to the nunnery and die there.
One of its abbesses was Agnès de Barbezieux (1134-1174), whose relative, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was a generous donor to the abbey.
Madame de Montespan was educated here.
It is located next to the town's Arch of Germanicus and was classified a monument historique in 1948.