© following hadrian
© Ambrussum
© following hadrian
Ambrussum archaeological site, near Nimes
Roman ruins, the Ambroix bridge and museum
This large Roman site lies on the outskirts of Nimes on the way to Montpellier. It's an extensive site that requires a fair bit of exploring, although there is a small museum on site which explains the chronology of Ambrussum in a bit more detail.
The Oppidum up on the hillside has been occupied by people since the neolithic period. During the Roman occupation there were huge ramparts and walls, some of which you can still see then remains of to this day.
The Via Domitia is a street that was originally built for the Roman military to pass along and later became the main thoroughfare in the area, with lots of domestic houses and businesses lining its sides.
The Ambroix bridge remains partly intact today, but in its heyday it would have had an impressive 11 arches and been around 175 metres long. Now only one arch remains, the other having been washed away by flooding over the centuries.
The staging post was a place for travellers and merchants to gather whilst using the Via Domitia. Thanks to various excavations on the site, archaeologists have discovered places to get chariots repaired, hotels and thermal baths.
The site is open year round for visitors and you can choose a guided or un-guided visit to both the site and the museum.
Directions
You can find the site around 7 km from Lunel, 35 km from Nimes and 30 km from Montpellier Via the RN113: in Lunel, head towards Sommières, then Villetelle, and then follow the signs to the “Oppidum d’Ambrussum”. Via the A9: take the exit to Lunel, drive towards Lunel, then Villetelle, and then follow the signs to “Oppidum d’Ambrussum”.
