This historic city was named after a Gallic tribe called the Santones who lived here long before the Romans came and not after any Christian Holy men who came here later! The Romans called the town Mediolanum but during the centuries after they left, the surrounding area become known as the Saintonge, or Xaintonge, and even had its own dialect which was spoken throughout the area between La Rochelle, Angoulême and just north of Bordeaux.

Arch of Germanicus

Located on the banks of the Charente River about 76km/46 mi south-east of La Rochelle, Saintes has a great deal of historical interest from the Roman period and the Middle Ages. The Arch of Germanicus (18-19AD) which now stands on the banks of the Charente was moved in 1843 after the writer Prosper Merimée had it moved from its original site at the entrance to the old Roman Bridge which was in the process of being demolished.

Les Arènes