The capital of Saintonge, Saintes has kept a prestigious architectural and religious heritage that reflects its rich history. Founded in the 1st century, it is brimming with ancient treasures such as its emblematic Gallo-Roman amphitheatre. Backing onto a small valley, this arena, which is among the oldest in the Roman Empire, is now a music festival venue. The Germanicus arch, erected in the year 18 or 19 for the Emperor Tiberius, is another symbol of the city.
The Ladies' Abbey and its magnificent abbey church in the Saintonge Romanesque style are among the town's remarkable buildings. This women's Benedictine abbey, the first in Saintonge, was very powerful until the Revolution and was in charge of educating young girls from good families. You can admire the sumptuously ornate façade, the cloister, the chapter house and the superb bell tower, and discover the nuns' cells in the convent buildings.
In the heights of the town, the Church of St. Eutropius is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture with its carved capitals, and one of the most extensive crypts in Europe. The building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. At the heart of the historic centre, the Cathedral of St. Peter, a listed Historic Monument since 1862, is also well worth a visit. It's the largest religious building in Saintes, created in the Romanesque style in the 12th century, but rebuilt in the Flamboyant Gothic style in the 15th century. Its finely carved portal, beautiful organ and imposing bell tower-porch are remarkable.
Museums also have a special place in Saintes, with the Échevinage Museum and its collection of paintings, mainly from the 19th century; the Dupuy-Mestreau Museum, with rich collections of regional art in a beautiful mansion; and the Archaeological Museum, which exhibits objects from the daily life of the Gallo-Romans from the 1st to 3rd centuries AD.
