Musée de Rauranum
About This Museum
Tucked away in the village of Rom, the Musée de Rauranum feels like a local secret, a quiet guardian of ancient stories. It sits directly on the old Roman road that once connected Poitiers to the Atlantic, a route trod by legionaries and merchants. The museum's collection is small but deeply personal, focusing entirely on the archaeological finds from the Gallo-Roman settlement of Rauranum that lies beneath the modern town. You won't find grand, impersonal exhibits here; instead, it's an intimate look at the everyday lives of the people who called this place home two millennia ago.
Collection Highlights
The real stars are the humble objects: a delicate glass perfume bottle that somehow survived intact, a set of surgical tools that hints at sophisticated ancient medicine, and a fascinating hoard of coins discovered locally. A detailed scale model vividly reconstructs the entire ancient town, letting you visualize the bustling vicus that once stood here.
Visitor Information
Housed right next to the village church on its main square, it's the kind of place where you might need to ring a bell for entry, adding to its charmingly unpolished feel. It’s perfect for a thoughtful hour-long detour off the main tourist trails.
Architecture & Building
The museum is nestled within a traditional, unassuming stone building typical of the region, its simple exterior belying the rich history contained inside.
Contact & Location
Address: Musée de Rauranum, Rue de La Rigaudière, Rom, Niort, Deux-Sèvres, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France métropolitaine, 79120, France
Phone: +33 5 49 27 26 98
Website: Visit Website
