Tours Mirandes, Fortified tower and archaeological site in Saint-Martin-la-Pallu, France
The Tours Mirandes are the remains of a Gallo-Roman town in Saint-Martin-la-Pallu, France, where you can find a sanctuary, a forum, an aqueduct, a theatre, and residential areas spread across roughly 160 hectares (about 395 acres). The ruins of a castle known as Bonnivet are also visible on the site.
The site was built and used between the 1st and 3rd centuries, during the Gallo-Roman period. In the medieval era, a castle known as Bonnivet was erected there, leaving the ruins that remain today.
Visiting the site requires booking a guided tour in advance, and this is possible throughout the year. A visitor center is open from July to August, Tuesday through Saturday, and offers additional context for what you see on the grounds.
The site is part of the Via Antiqua network, which links several ancient sites across the region and helps trace the broader story of Gallo-Roman life in this part of France. Nearby places such as the archaeological site of Sanxay or the aqueducts of Saintes add further layers to the same story.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
