OLD ROMAN, MUSEUM AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Welcome to Vieux-la-Romaine !

Can you imagine that this small village used to be the capital town of a Roman territory between the 1st till 5th century A.D.?
The Tutela Goddess invites you to explore some of the sites she protects, and discover life during Roman times.

The museum
Archaeological finds reveal life in Aregenua, the Roman capital city of the Viducasse territory, and its transformation into a Medieval village. Immerse yourself in the day to day activities of its inhabitants, through the luxurious surroundings of upper-class families, craftsmen's tools, toys, tableware...

The on-going excavation of the forum
Expression of Roman power and culture, the forum , a public square with administrative buildings, galeries, shops and temple, was the economical, political and religious heart of both the town and territory. Since 2008, archaeologists have been excavating the administrative buildings and have brought to light an exceptionally well preserved curia, the prestigious building housing the "local council ». This curia is the only visible example with preserved graded seats in Gaul! Our guides will present the excavated remains and will explain how the archaeologists work.

The Gallo-Roman houses
Two restored houses are on display: the Grand Peristyle House , the luxury home of a prominent personality in the upper-class forum district, and the U-shaped Courtyard House , much smaller, in a craftwork and shopping district. Through both the architecture and decor, together with the objects found in these houses now displayed in the museum, you will catch more than a glimpse of day to day life in a Roman town and its social organisation.

The virtual 3D visits
Discover Aregenua and its key places on the first century A.D.: http://visites-virtuelles.vieuxlaromaine.fr/.

The museum and archaeological sites are open :
February to June, September to December: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
July & August: every day 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Closed in January, on 1 May, 1 and 11 November, 24, 25 and 31 December

Rates :
Full rate: 5 €
Concessions: 3 € (groups of 15+ persons, students, teachers, attendants accompanying disabled visitors)
Free entry: under-18s, museum and archaeology staff, disabled visitors who are recipients of allowances
Last ticket sold 30 minutes before closing.

Please book your guided visit in English (or other languages) at +33 (0)2 31 71 10 20.

Come and visit us! Make your choice among the various options below:

Visits for associations, clubs, groups of friends: guided tours can be booked all year round.
25 persons max
Price : 80 euros + 3 euros per person (reduced rate)

Discovery
After a friendly welcome at the museum, you will be guided through a tour of the forum site and the two Roman houses. Back at the museum, our guide will give you an overall introduction to the collections and will remain available to answer any questions as you visit the galeries.
25 persons max
Duration : 2 h
Price : 200 euros

Full menu
Archaeology, history, heritage lovers or simply for curious minds, this is the perfect programme for you. Your guide will fully comment the museum collections, the forum site excavation and the two Roman houses. Should you wish to take a break or discuss what you discover, we invite you to a coffee or a fruit juice before you continue your visit.
25 persons max
Duration : 3 h
Price : 250 euros

Teurgoule Afternoon Tea
Select a guided visit among the following: the museum and its collections, the restored Roman sites (Grand Peristyle House and U-shaped Courtyard House) or the forum excavation. We then invite you to a traditional Norman « high tea »: teurgoule (oven-baked rice with cinnamon) with a cup of tea or coffee, a glass of fruit juice or cider.
After this friendly break, if you have chosen a tour of the sites, your guide will then give you an overall introduction to the museum before allowing you to discover the galeries at your leisure. If you have chosen the tour of the collections, your guide will then give you an introduction to the restored sites before you discover them at your own pace.
25 persons max
Duration : 2 h 30
Price : 300 euros

If you enjoy walking...
Around Vieux, a few kilometres away from Caen, lies a land rich in history offering a pleasant and instructive walk between the Roman town of Aregenua and industrial archaeology evidence of mining at May-sur-Orne. You will discover a variety of landscapes composed of cereal plains and bocage valleys, plants, the history of the Guigne windmills, castles, churches, boroughs...
The complete loop is about 13 km long. Some shortcuts allow for 2-, 5-, 6- or 7-km loops, at your choice. Twenty-six observation stages have been selected, with panels presenting information on the numerous points of interest.
This walk itinerary is available on demand at the musem reception desk.