Musée et sites archéologiques de Saint-Romain-en-Gal - Département du Rhône
About This Museum
People don't just come to Saint-Romain-en-Gal to see old stones; they come to walk through the ghost of a bustling Roman neighborhood, to feel the presence of ancient lives in a place where history is literally underfoot. The sheer scale of the site is the first thing that strikes you, with entire streets, intricate mosaic floors, and the complex hypocaust systems of wealthy homes sprawling out towards the Rhône. It’s a world preserved in ruins, where you can easily imagine the sounds of the marketplace and the warmth of the baths. This isn't a museum that feels separate from its subject; it is the subject, offering a tangible connection to Gallo-Roman daily life that is both intimate and grand.
Collection Highlights
The true stars here are not isolated artifacts but entire structures: the sprawling 'House of the Ocean Gods' with its breathtaking seafoam-green mosaics, and the remarkably intact public baths where you can trace the entire path of bathers from hot to cold rooms. Don't miss the delicate fragments of painted wall plaster, their colors still vibrant, hinting at the domestic elegance that once filled these spaces.
Visitor Information
Wear comfortable shoes because you'll be covering a lot of ground, both indoors in the modern museum and outside on the vast archaeological site. It's brilliantly situated just across the river from Vienne, making it easy to pair a visit here with its sister Roman sites for a full day stepping back in time.
Architecture & Building
The main building is a striking piece of contemporary architecture itself—all clean lines, glass, and steel—that seems to float respectfully above the ancient ruins it protects.
Contact & Location
Address: 69560, Le Meindran, Saint-Romain-en-Gal, Lyon, Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France métropolitaine, France
Phone: +33 4 74 53 74 01
Website: Visit Website
