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Come and discover the remains of the Gallo-Roman villa of Montmaurin located in the heart of the Gascon countryside, and one of the largest known villas in France.
Visiting the Montmaurin archaeological site
• Outsized architecture. The residence lies behind a 117-metre long frontage, and is laid out in the traditional manner for large Greco-Roman buildings with two peristyles. The site covers 19 hectares and the building had over 200 rooms. The remains of the hall, the temple, the nymph sanctuary and columns, several courtyards and numerous dwelling rooms may be visited. A model on display in the Montmaurin museum provides an overview of the various buildings.
• Comfort and decoration. The marble and mosaic flooring can still be made out today. The rooms had underfloor heating and running water. Excavations have also shown that the villa had glazed windows.
Understanding the Montmaurin archaeological site
• A 20th-century find. The villa was discovered in 1946 and built towards the middle of the 1st century AD, then modified in the 3rd and 5th centuries. The outbuildings had accommodation for 500 people working in the forges, brick and tile manufactory, and a weaving workshop.
