Arch of Germanicus
Arc de Germanicus
A Roman double-arched gate built in AD 19, originally standing at the end of a bridge and moved as a whole to the riverbank in the 19th century
The triumphal arch was built around AD 18 to 19 and dedicated to the Roman emperor Tiberius and to Germanicus. It was originally the bridge gate where a Roman road crossed the Charente. In 1843, when the bridge was demolished, the writer Prosper Mérimée championed moving the arch intact to the riverbank to preserve it. Latin inscriptions can still be read on the arch. Entry is free, and beside it are the tourist office and a small archaeological museum. The arch stands by the river on the opposite side of Saintes' old town.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Abbaye aux Dames, Saintes
- Basilica of Saint-Eutrope, Saintes
- Saintes Amphitheatre
- Hôpital des Pèlerins, Pons
- Rémy Martin Cognac House
- Hennessy Cognac House
- Musée des Arts du Cognac
- Gabare Cruise on the Charente