Dating back over two thousand years, Saintes was once the capital of one of the tribes of Gaul, the Santons, and of the Roman province of Aquitaine, with the name Mediolanum.

ARC DE GERMANICUS (GERMANICUS ARCH)
Built in 18-19 AD at the entrance to a bridge, it served as a gate for the town on the great Roman road from Lyon. The attic bears an inscription to the Emperor Tiberius and his nephews Germanicus and Drusus. The entablature carries the genealogy of the donor, a local senator, Caius Julius Rufus. Saved in 1843 by Prosper Mérimée when the bridge was demolished, it was dismantled and rebuilt on the east bank.
Free entrance.

LES ARENES (AMPHITHEATRE)
Built in the reign of Claudius in 40 AD, it has a cavea (series of steps) built into the sides of the valley and an embankment at the western end. The eastern end is completed with a stonework entrance.
Dimensions: 126 x 102 m.
It could hold some 15 000 spectators.
Entrance in Rue Lacurie.

Opening times : Open daily.
- from 1/10 to 30/03 : 10 am to 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, and 1.30 pm to 5 pm Sunday.
- from 1/04 to 31/05 : 10 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday, and 1.30 pm to 6 pm Sunday.
- from 1/06 to 30/09 : 10 am to 8 pm, daily.

Closed 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 25th December and during festive events.
+33 (0)5 46 97 73 85.
Entry: € 2 / adult, € 1 / children 10/18, under 10 : free.
Audioguide rental: € 3 / person.
Physically handicapped and blind people enter for free. Tea room and shop.
GUIDED VISITS in July and August.

MUSEE ARCHEOLOGIQUE
(ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM)
Museum of Gallo-Roman civilisation with some remarkable stone
pieces : public and funerary architecture, inscriptions, sculptures...
Esplanade André Malraux.
+33 (0)5 46 74 20 97.
Entry from € 2, Under 18 : free.