Saintes Amphitheatre
Amphithéâtre gallo-romain de Saintes
A Roman amphitheatre built in a valley in the 1st century AD, once able to seat about 15,000 people, and one of the oldest amphitheatres in France
The amphitheatre was built around AD 40, cleverly using a natural valley for its seating. It originally held some 15,000 spectators. Today the surviving arcades and tiers are overgrown with grass, giving the site a rustic atmosphere. Tickets cost a few euros and include simple display panels, and summer opening hours are longer. It lies on the western side of Saintes, about 25 km from Cognac, and can be combined with the Arch of Germanicus, the Abbaye aux Dames and the Basilica of Saint-Eutrope for a day trip to Saintes.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–18:00 (shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- Basilica of Saint-Eutrope, Saintes
- Arch of Germanicus
- Abbaye aux Dames, Saintes
- Hôpital des Pèlerins, Pons
- Rémy Martin Cognac House
- Hennessy Cognac House
- Musée des Arts du Cognac
- Gabare Cruise on the Charente