IN PICTURES: European Archaeology Days 2025 in the South West

PORTFOLIO - On June 13, 14, and 15, 2025, the departments of our region are organizing numerous events as part of the European Archaeology Days. Discover our selection in 20 images CHARENTE - Remarkable testimonies of the Gallo-Roman era, the Bouchauds theater and sanctuary were built from the 1st century AD. Built on the hillside, the theater, with its exceptional dimensions, could accommodate up to 7,000 spectators! The top of the theater, protected by its green setting, offers a panoramic view of the Charente countryside. © Photo credit: Loïc Déquier CHARENTE - Listed as a Historic Monument since 1984, the Château de Bouteville reopened its doors in 2024 after several restoration campaigns. A fixture in the landscape since the 9th century, the château has a turbulent history, reflecting that of the region. Destroyed and rebuilt several times, the thousand-year-old building, majestic on its promontory, now opens up to us with an innovative and playful scenography that retraces the adventures of this emblematic Charente château, located in the heart of Grande Champagne, the premier cru of the Cognac appellation. Loïc Déquier CHARENTE - The Cassinomagus Archaeological Park immerses you in the heart of Antiquity in a 15-hectare green setting. Explore the remains of the best-preserved thermal baths in France with tours for all ages. Discover the richness of Gallo-Roman civilization through a virtual reality experience of the lost temple, an exhibition space, a botanical garden, or by meeting farm animals. Jonathan Guérin CHARENTE-MARITIME - Even though the departure is from the Arch of Germanicus, you will have the opportunity to explore the city, discovering posters on the heritage of Saintes, whether at the Thermal Baths of Saint Saloine, the Arena, the Saint-Pierre Cathedral or even the Square Sidélio. Philippe Ménard CHARENTE-MARITIME - The Mediolanum amphitheater is one of the earliest in Gaul. Its construction may have begun during the reign of Tiberius (14–37 AD) and been completed during the reign of Claudius (41–54 AD). This elliptical monument, with its imposing dimensions (126 meters long and 102 meters wide), could accommodate several thousand spectators for bloody and violent performances such as gladiatorial combats (munera) or animal hunts (venationes). Anne Lacaud CHARENTE-MARITIME - "How does preventive archaeology support the restoration of the Brouage fortifications?" With the aim of introducing the public to the various professions working on the rampart restoration site. Jean-Christophe Sounalet/SOUTH WEST CHARENTE-MARITIME - With an exceptional panorama overlooking the Gironde estuary, the Fâ archaeological site in Barzan, Charente-Maritime, welcomes you for a journey into the Gallo-Roman world. A veritable treasure trove for scientists, it is gradually revealing an ancient port city, one of the most important on the Atlantic coast, having played a leading economic role in connection with Mediolanum. Thierry David DORDOGNE - Exterior view of the Château de Campagne where an archaeology village has been set up in Campagne. Philippe Greiller - Reconstructed wind tunnel - Cannon casting pit - Cast mapping - Two models of drilling machines - A model of the blast furnace complex - Waterworks and hydraulic works"> DORDOGNE - Numerous archaeological objects and furnishings can be discovered at the Forgeneuve Blast Furnaces in Javerlhac-et-la-Chapelle-Saint-Robert: - 18th century royal forge with double blast furnaces - Reconstructed wind tunnel - Cannon casting pit - Cast mapping - Two models of drilling machines - A model of the blast furnace complex - Waterworks and hydraulic works Michel Amat DORDOGNE - The Bastideum is the Architecture and Heritage Interpretation Center of Monpazier, a fortified town founded in 1284. A remarkable heritage site, Monpazier has preserved its medieval architecture and perfectly illustrates the history of these medieval cities in the Southwest of France. South West Archives DORDOGNE - Between Saint-Émilion and Bergerac, explore the Gallo-Roman villa of Montcaret and its private thermal baths with exceptional mosaic floors. Claude Petit/SOUTH WEST DORDOGNE - Nestled in the heart of Périgueux, the Gallo-Roman museum site of Vesunna reveals the remains of a rich ancient domus, protected by spectacular architecture designed by Jean Nouvel. Stéphane Klein GIRONDE - "Lascaux, the International Exhibition" returns to Cap Sciences in Bordeaux in a redesigned and expanded version. At the center of this unique experience is a monumental, immersive reproduction (25 meters and weighing 4 tons) of the famous Hall of the Bulls, nicknamed "the Sistine Chapel of prehistory." Thierry David GIRONDE - Cap'Archéo, Inrap, Bordeaux Montaigne University and the Aquitaine Museum are organizing the "Archaeology Village" within the grounds of the Palais Gallien, a remnant of the amphitheater of the Roman city of Burdigala. Thierry DAVID/SudOuest GIRONDE - The Gallo-Roman villa of Plassac is partnering with the Saquary eco-friendly third-party place in its efforts to promote the values of the social and solidarity economy, a major cause of the Gironde Department in 2025, to offer a program exploring agricultural practices from Antiquity to the present day. Jean-Maurice Chacun LANDES - Founded in the 12th century, Arthous Abbey was inhabited by Premonstratensian canons until the Revolution, then transformed into a farm before becoming a historic monument. It owes its fame to the Romanesque sculpted decoration of its abbey church, one of the most beautiful in Gascony. Isabelle Louvier LANDES - Founded in the Middle Ages on the remains of a Roman villa paved with sumptuous mosaics, Sorde Abbey tells the story of 2,000 years of history! The monumental ruins of the monastic buildings house an astonishing cryptoporticus, a vast underground complex connected to a pier, built in the 18th century. Sartre Matthew LANDES – The Brassempouy PrehistoSite is dedicated to the life of prehistoric man. Learn about prehistoric techniques with workshops open to all. Beat Pascal LANDES - Built in 1523, the Borda Museum, in the Carmelite convent in Dax, housed a large religious community until the 18th century. Louvier Isabelle LOT-ET-GARONNE - The Agen Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1876, is housed in the heart of the city in four Renaissance mansions. The museum's collections offer a broad panorama of art history, from prehistory to the 21st century. Thierry Suire PYRÉNÉES-ATLANTIQUES - The Gallo-Roman Museum in Claracq traces the history of a Gallo-Roman rural settlement that emerged and developed from the 1st to the 5th century AD. Gilbert Delahaye By Archives Sud Ouest Published on 06/13/2025 at 6:00 a.m.