Travel Guide Javols

This small village, in a valley away from the main traffic routes, would have remained in complete anonymity if, in 1828, workmen had not discovered there the remains of the hitherto myhtic Gabalum, an important Gallo-Roman center which, according to an ancient tradition, had been destroyed in the 3rd century by the Barbarians. The city, on the edge named Anderitum (meadow of the ford in Gallic) took the name of the Gabalese people only at the end of Antiquity; it was at the crossroads of two ways, one coming from Lyon and Le Puy and going towards Rodez and Toulouse, the other one oriented north-south, at the edge of the Triboulin river. Excavations were sporadic in the 19th century and intense in the second half of the 20th century, allowing us to begin to imagine the appearance of the ancient city. Monuments characteristic of Roman cities have been uncovered: a large public building discovered in the 19th century could be the basilica, the place of administration of the city; the thermal baths and a fountain have also been located. It would seem that it was in the 6th century that Javols gradually lost its status as capital to Mende, when power passed into the hands of the clergy. In the current state of excavations, we have a good view of the ancient Gabalum from the road that overhangs it.Today, Javols has about 300 inhabitants spread over several hamlets and, since 2017, is part of the new commune Peyre-en-Aubrac.