Le Bois d'Amour

A landmark in Saintes

Le Bois d'Amour bills itself as the biggest sex shop in Charente-Maritime, and the sheer size of the place sets the tone from the entrance. You'll find a well-stocked lingerie section, modern rechargeable sex toys, massage oils and a wall of erotic DVDs sold between 8 and 20 euros.

The kind of shop where you can take your time browsing, ask for advice, and leave with something more than a mere gadget. The clientele is mixed: couples, women on their own and men on their own are all welcomed the same way, no sideways looks.

Cinema and private booth

What truly sets this sex shop apart is its cinema side. Two air conditioned rooms, fitted with a big screen and alcoves, let you watch films in a setting built for lingering rather than a quick in and out.

On the ground floor, a private booth for two rounds out the offer for visitors looking for a moment together on site, away from outside eyes. Discretion is clearly a priority here, both in how the place is laid out and in the staff's attitude.

Hours and access

Le Bois d'Amour is open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 8pm, and closed on Sunday. The address, 5 rue du Bois d'Amour in Saintes, sits near a parking lot, which makes for an easy, discreet visit without circling forever to find a spot.

Access is reserved for adults aged 18 and over, as with any establishment of this kind.

What regulars say

On directories specializing in dating and swinger leisure, feedback highlights the discretion of the place and the warmth of the team. The staff's professionalism and respect for customer confidentiality come up again and again in the comments.

The atmosphere is described as welcoming, far from the sometimes cold image people have of a typical sex shop. Enough to put at ease anyone pushing the door open for the first time.