Roman Sites & Museums in New Aquitaine
This page about the Roman archaeology of the New Aquitaine 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 New Aquitaine. 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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Roman Sites in New Aquitaine
Arch of Germanicus
This Roman triumphal arch, built in either 18 or 19 AD, was dedicated to the emperor Tiberius and his adoptive sons Drusus Caesar and Germanicus. Originally the typical two-bay arch was built at the head of a bridge, on the terminus of the road that ran between Saintes and Lyon marking the entrance to the city. In 1843 during work on the nearby quay, the arch was to be demolished. Prosper Mérimée intervened and had it moved to its current position on Place Bassompierre.
Bordeaux Amphitheatre – Le Palais Gallien
A small part remains of what was once quite a large Roman amphitheatre, believed to have seated about 17,000 people. The amphitheatre was built in the 3rd century AD when Bordeaux, then known as Burdigala, was the capital of the Roman province of Aquitaine. It is thought that the amphitheatre was built to mark the visit to Aquitaine by the Emperor Lucius Septimius Bassianus. Visitors to Bordeaux will see the ruins called ‘Le Palais Gallien’, some say this is the palace Charlemagne had built for his wife Galiene.
Montcaret Roman Villa
At the centre of the small town of Montcaret are the remains of a Roman villa. The villa is relatively well preserved, but it is the exceptionally well preserved mosaic floors that make this an unmissable attraction. The villa was built in the 1st century AD; it obviously belonged to a wealthy individual as it had its own private thermal baths. The villa was destroyed by the Vandals in the 5th century. A Benedictine priory was built on the villa during the Merovingian era, and Roman carved stone can be seen on the 11th century church.
Plassac Gallo-Roman Villa
During building work to extend the church in 1883 a mosaic floor was uncovered. But, it was not until 1962 that archaeological excavations of the site began in earnest, and then carried on for several years. After all this work the impressive remains of a large Gallo-Roman villa is now open to the public. With a museum created in the nearby church that was crucial to the villa’s discovery. The villa was built in the 1st century AD, and continued to be used until the 5th century. A highlight of your visit will be the beautiful mosaic floors, indicating this villa belonged to a wealthy citizen.
Saintes Roman Amphitheatre
Mediolanum Santonum was one of the first towns in Roman Gaul to have an amphitheatre – the Roman town was then the capital of the Aquitaine Province. The amphitheatre was built during the reign of Emperor Claudius between 40 and 50 AD. A typical elliptical structure, measuring 126 m by 102 m, the builders took advantage of the topography building it into the slopes of a small valley. Today the Arènes de Saintes is one the most popular attractions in the city.
Vesunna – Roman Périgueux
The Roman city of Vesunna, modern day Périgueux, is the best understood Gallo-Roman city in the Aquitaine region, and the presentation of the Roman period in the museum should not be missed if Gallo-Roman archaeology is your passion. The city was founded in about 16 BC and by the end of the 3rd century AD it was a large, walled city, with the usual features of a Roman city – including a temple and an amphitheatre both still visible today. By 418 AD the city was invaded by Visigoths.
Museums With Roman Collections in New Aquitaine
Angoulême Museum
In the historic heart of Angoulême, right next to the apse of St Peter’s cathedral is the newly renovated bishopric, home to the city’s museum. Collections and permanent exhibitions include the geology and archaeology of the Charente from prehistory to the early medieval period, one of the most important collections of African and Oceanic arts in France, as well as a collection of Western art from the 16th to 20th centuries. One of the museum’s highlights is the gold plated Gallic helmet from the 4th century BC.
Aquitaine Museum, Bordeaux
In 1963 a number of different museums in Bordeaux amalgamated to form Le Musée d’Aquitaine. With over 70,000 objects, this museum covers the history of the Bordeaux region from prehistory to the 20th century in over 5,000 square meters of displays. The range of objects included is quite amazing, from carved bone of Palaeolithic age to carved stone from the medieval period.
Archaeology Museum of Saintes
The museum has recently redeveloped its permanent exhibitions. These now include interactive 3D displays that allow visitors to explore what Saintes was like during the Gallo-Roman period, as well as what daily life was like in the town around 2,000 years ago. Also on display is an impressive collection of objects recovered from various sites around Saintes, from both public and private sites.
Museum of Art and Archaeology of Périgord
Founded in 1835, the Musée d’art et d’archéologie du Périgord is the oldest museum in the Dordogne. The museum has over 33,000 artefacts in its collections, from local prehistory to the 20th century – with a modest collection of objects from the rest of Europe, Classical Greece and Italy, ancient Egypt, Oceania and Africa. It is particularly noted for its Palaeolithic collection of artefacts from the area, a highlight being the fossil remains of Regourdou man – the oldest burial of an adult Neanderthal in Europe.
Interactive Map of Roman Sites & Museums in New Aquitaine
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 New Aquitaine
