Saintes

Town in the département of Charente-Maritime, western France, situated on the River Charente, 170 km/105 mi north of Bordeaux; population (1990) 27,000. The capital of the old province of Saintonge, it has Roman remains, including the Arch of Germanicus and a huge amphitheatre. Saintes is a market centre for the surrounding district, especially for cereals, brandy, leather, and wood, and industries include electronic goods, pottery, and a range of light industries.

Under the Romans Saintes was an important city, known as Mediolanum Santonum, and many of the remains date from the 1st century AD. The Arch of Germanicus originally stood on a bridge, but was moved to its current site in the town in the 19th century; the amphitheatre was built for 20,000 people. There are many Roman artefacts in a museum in the town. In 1242 Louis IX defeated Henry III of England nearby. The town has many churches, one of which was formerly a cathedral.