Founded in the 1st century, Saintes is a City of Art and History with an important architectural and religious heritage. The Gallo-Roman amphitheatre, the Germanicus Romanesque arch, the Abbaye-aux-Dames abbey and its magnificent church of Romanesque style, and the Saint-Pierre cathedral are examples of its rich past. For the art lover, the Présidial museum and the Échevinage museum have collections of paintings on display.