The Riverside Booksellers
A book lover's dream! This book market takes place every Saturday morning at Place Saint Pierre.
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Saintes
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Saintes
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the Roman amphitheater, one of the best-preserved structures of its kind in Western France.
- Admire the Arch of Germanicus, which once stood at the entrance of a Roman bridge.
- Take a boat trip on the Charente river to see the city from a different perspective.
- Visit the Abbaye-aux-Dames, a significant former nunnery with impressive architecture.
🍽 Food
🍽
Pineau des Charentes
Try this local fortified wine as an aperitif in one of the riverside bars.
🍽
Marennes-Oléron Oysters
Enjoy fresh oysters from the nearby region, often available at the weekly market.
🍽
Galettes Charentaises
Sample these traditional butter cookies, great for an afternoon coffee.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Local Cognac
Purchase high-quality Cognac directly in the city's specialty shops showcasing the region's production.
🛍
Regional Specialties
Look for sea salt from Ile de Ré and local mustards at the market.
🧘
Banks of the Charente
Find quiet spots for a picnic or a relaxed stroll along the river.
🧘
Abbaye-aux-Dames Grounds
Enjoy the spiritual peace and architecture in the abbey's outdoor areas.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
10
Saint-Pierre Market in Saintes
Located in the historic district by the Cathedral, this market offers a terrace with views of the Charente river and the Germanicus Arch.
Reverseaux Market in Saintes
A friendly market near the historic center featuring high-quality fresh local produce favored by residents and chefs.
Karaoke Night - Chez Nous
Every Friday night, join the fun at the restaurant to sing your heart out and end the week with music and great vibes.
Photo Contest Exhibition
Photo contest on the theme "Funny little bugs" organized by Chermignac Loisirs et Sports. Capture insects or spiders on camera. Participation is free and open to all.
Brigitte Barthelemy Exhibition
Discover the landscape paintings of Brigitte Barthélemy, a graduate of the Beaux-Arts de Paris.
Art Salon 2026 - Nouvel Oeil
The NOUVEL ŒIL Association organizes its 2026 Arts Salon. Discover regional artists through paintings, photographs, sculptures, and books. Vernissage on May 22 at 5 PM.
Guided Tour: Saint-Eutrope Church
A UNESCO World Heritage site on the Camino de Santiago, this great 11th-century Romanesque priory features unique architecture and exceptional sculpted decorations.
Guided Tour: Germanicus Arch & Cathedral
Discover the charm and history of Saintes through two major monuments: the Arch of Germanicus, gateway to ancient Mediolanum, and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.
Night-time Theatrical Show
Follow Harald and Landry at the heart of Jacques Cœur's trial in Taillebourg. Friends turned enemies face off between justice, revenge, and redemption.
Saintes, a historic city in the Charente-Maritime department, served in antiquity as Mediolanum Santonum, the capital of the Roman province of Aquitaine. The impressive legacy of this period remains visible today in the Gallo-Roman amphitheater, one of the oldest and best-preserved of its kind. Another monumental landmark is the Arch of Germanicus, which once marked the entrance to a Roman bridge. During the Middle Ages, Saintes evolved into a significant spiritual center, as evidenced by the Romanesque Abbaye-aux-Dames and the Church of Saint-Eutrope, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Way of Saint James. The city is ideally located on the Charente River, which was historically used for the trade of salt and wine. The city's architecture reflects various eras, from ancient ruins and Romanesque grandeur to Neoclassical townhouses. Today, Saintes is a City of Art and History that captivates visitors with its relaxed atmosphere and deep historical roots.
- Location: Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
- Top sights: Amphitheatre of Saintes · Abbaye aux Dames · Arch of Germanicus
- Nearby: Saint-Jean-d'Angély (24 km)
- Population: ~29.512
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 6 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 9 | 6 |
| Rain mm | 79 | 55 | 64 | 57 | 65 | 56 | 43 | 47 | 45 | 71 | 82 | 81 |
Geography
Facts
- The Roman amphitheater once accommodated up to 15,000 spectators
- The Arch of Germanicus was built in 18 or 19 AD
- The Abbaye-aux-Dames was founded in 1047 as the first nunnery in Saintonge
- The Church of Saint-Eutrope has one of the largest crypts in Europe
- Saintes was heavily damaged during the Huguenot Wars in the 16th century
- The city has a current population of approximately 25.000 residents
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→16:411.9 km walk7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 20–28 €Entries 24€ · Transport 0€
Start your day at the majestic Arch of Germanicus and enjoy the peace of the Jardin Public. After a dose of art at the Échevinage Museum, we explore the Gothic details of the cathedral. The afternoon belongs to the spirituality of the Basilica of Saint-Eutrope, before ending the day in the monumental Roman arena.
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09:00→16:363.1 km ride8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 32–44 €Entries 26€ · Transport 12€
This bike tour connects the two banks of the Charente. We start at Abbaye aux Dames, cross the river to the Arch of Germanicus and the public garden. After a visit to the cathedral, we cycle along the banks before reaching the basilica and finally the ancient amphitheater.
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09:00→16:112.2 km drive7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 19–25 €Entries 22€ · Transport 0€
By car, we explore Saintes in three practical clusters. First, the right bank with the abbey and the arch. Then the historical center for the cathedral and a pleasant lunch. Finally, we drive to the Roman wonders in the west of the city.
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Sights in the town Saintes (6)
Frequently asked questions
What are the most important Roman remains?
The amphitheater and the Arch of Germanicus on the banks of the Charente are impressive witnesses of the Roman past.
What is the Abbaye aux Dames?
An 11th-century former convent for women with a magnificent Romanesque church, now a center for ancient music.
Is Saint-Pierre Cathedral worth a visit?
Yes, especially for its massive bell tower and the magnificent Flamboyant Gothic portal.
What does the Archaeological Museum offer?
It displays a huge collection of Roman sculptures and architectural elements found in the city walls of Saintes.
Can you go boating in Saintes?
Yes, electric boats can be rented to explore the city from the Charente river in total peace.
Saintes: where is it located?
Saintes is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
Saintes: what is there to see?
Highlights include Amphitheatre of Saintes, Abbaye aux Dames, Arch of Germanicus.
Saintes: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Saintes: why is it worth visiting?
Saintes, a historic city in the Charente-Maritime department, served in antiquity as Mediolanum Santonum, the capital of the Roman province of Aquitaine.
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