Roman Sites & Museums in Brittanyy
This page about the Roman archaeology of Brittany region of France is part of our Guide to Exploring the Roman World (also our France Travel Guide). The guide is produced by Thomas Dowson, an archaeologist and the founder of Archaeology Travel, who also lived in France for ten years, along with contributions by other authors and researchers on this website. Read more about the authors and this website.
The page was last checked and/or updated on 19 December 2023.
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This page provides information and visitor details for the best Gallo-Roman and Roman sites and museums to see in Brittany. Follow the links below for the same in the other regions of France. Or take a look at our choice 25 Must See Roman Sites in France; a good starting point for first time visitors to France or Roman archaeology in France. We have also created an Interactive Map of Roman Sites & Museums in France.
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If you are planning a trip to France you can use our itinerary builder with the list of sites below to create your own travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit) and itineraries. These can also be shared with your friends, privately and on social media. To make use of this feature, however, you will need to login or register as a new user. Registering to use our itinerary builder is free of charge (find more details on How to Use this Website).
Roman Sites in Brittany
Mané-Vechen Gallo-Roman Villa
Although first noted in 1929, the site was not excavated until 2000. This Severan villa maritima has three wings that surround a courtyard. The villa would have had magnificent panoramic views of the estuary, but well protected from the ocean. Built in the 2nd century AD, the exceptional quality of the wall decoration, the statuary and the interior gardens indicate this was clearly the residence of a wealthy local aristocrat. It was largely destroyed by fire in the 280s, and thereafter only used by squatters.
Temple of Mars, Corseul
The most striking feature of the sanctuary complex on the edge of Corseul are the surviving walls of an octagonal cella. Today they are just over 10 m high, but it is thought that they rose to a height of 22 m. Although no inscriptions or statues provide the name of the deity worshipped here, clues suggest it was Mars. Besides the cella, the foundations of other parts of the sanctuary, including side porticos and vestibules, are visible. Visually, this is one of the most impressive Roman monuments in Brittany.
Museums With Roman Collections in Brittany
Carnac Prehistory Museum
The Musée de Préhistoire de Carnac is housed in an old rectory with a collection of over 7,000 artefacts from many of the megalithic sites in the area – one of the richest museums for megalithic culture. A handful of display that deal with the various aspects of everyday life, but the museum has a greater focus on the development and significance of funerary architecture, from the early dolmens to the later, more complex passage tombs. A few galleries explore the Iron Age and Roman periods.
Interactive Map of Roman Sites & Museums in Brittany
You can do at least two things with the following interactive map. First, by switching the display of the map to satellite mode (you can uncheck ‘labels’ to get a clutter free map), you can get a street view of most of the sites. Simply click and drag the yellow pegman (lower right) onto the map and drop it on a blue line or dot to get street-view at that point.
Second, you can also use the markers on the map to save that site or museum to your itinerary. Click on a marker to see the site’s information box. If you are logged in you will see the option to add that place to your itineraries and travel lists. Login or register to use these features.
Roman Sites & Museums in Brittany
