The main tourist attractions in Vaison-la-Romaine are its ancient Roman ruins, which consist of various archaeological sites, including the Ancient Site of Puymin. Covering an area of over 35 acres, the collective ruins make up what is reportedly the largest Gallo-Roman site in France.
Situated in the ‘lower city’ on the north bank of the Ouvèze River, Puymin was one of two districts in Roman Vaison, or Vasio as it was known at the time. And, these in situ ruins, some partially reconstructed, are worth seeing in combination with a visit to La Villasse, Puymin’s sister site across the street.
As you stroll amidst the ruins of Puymin, along partially paved pathways lined by the remnants of stone walls, you’ll see:
La Maison à l’Apollon lauré – this expansive residence featured – among other spaces – an office for the master of the house, a kitchen equipped with fireplace and pond, a state dining room, two toilet rooms, heated baths (calderium and tepidarium) with dressing area, and a spacious ceremonial room with polychrome marble floors;
the site is named for a marble bust of a laurel-wreathed Apollo discovered during excavations.
La Maison à la Tonnelle – at just under 10,000 square feet, this immense, terraced ’house in the arbor’ featured an arbored courtyard that served as a dining area in the summertime, a pond, toilet room, basement, and a kitchen with an oven and large clay dolia for storing grain.
Once you’ve made it past the actual ruins of Puymin, step inside the Archaeological Museum to learn more about Roman Vasio.
Here you’ll see displays of original artifacts – and a few replicas of artifacts – discovered during excavations in the region. Items in the collection include:
Fragments of lead water pipes and pumping systems;
Samples of wool
and loom weights used in spinning and weaving;
A collection of sharpening tools, needles, and hair pins;
Jewelry and accessories, including a beaded necklace and a collection of loose beads;
Bone dice and gaming pieces, some used for playing la marelle;
Storage vessels, such as clay pots, jars, and amphorae;
Votive oil lamps embossed with such images as a bearded and horned Jupiter-Ammon;
Sarcophagi and other funerary items, including carved Acrotère tomb masks;
Remnants of carved altars, capitals, and reliefs;
Statues and busts of Roman rulers and mythological figures, among which are:
Statuettes of the Mother Goddess seated in a wicker chair, and of Minerva, the goddess of wisdom;
And marble statues of Emperors Claudius and Domitian, and Empress Sabina.
And, not to be overlooked are the intricate marble mosaics, such as the Peacock Mosaic which once covered the floor of the central room in the Villa du Paon (House of the Peacock) in Puymin.
After visiting the museum, make your way outside, past the stone sarcophagi,
along narrow pathways,
through tunnels, and up the gentle sloping hillside,
to reach the top of the Antique Theatre. Believed to have been constructed in the 1st century A.D., this partially reconstructed Roman theatre serves as a venue for concerts and other events. Standing among the remaining columns, you’ll have a spectacular view of the mountains in the distance and the stage down below.
Getting there:
Entrance to Ancient Site of Puymin is located at the intersection of Rue Burrus and Rue Bernard Noël.
Ticket info:
Adult Admission = 9.00€
Child Admission (Ages 10 – 17) = 4.00€
Child Admission (Ages 9 and Under) = Free
Tickets are valid for 24 hours and allow access to Puymin + Museum + Antique Theatre + La Villasse.
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Reviewer
Mike Young
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The Ancient Site of Puymin
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