Three sites to visit - Alésia MuséoParc (2024)

MuséoParc Alésia lets you explore three sites: the Museum, the Gallo-Roman ruins and the statue of Vercingétorix.

Builton the plain of Alésia, this building with symbolic architecture was designed by famous architect Bernard Tschumi. Its circular form evokes the siege of Alésia, the netting that clads the building provides a nod to the wooden fortifications used by the Romans,whilst the oblique columns of its atrium recall the chaos of the battle itself.

Ready for time travel?
From prehistory to the present day, relive the history of Alésia with more than 600 artefacts and interactive and fun devices: film (sound design, illustrations, 3D), animated characters, soundscapes, 180° screen, model, mapping, manipulations, digital immersion…
A new experience to enjoy with family or friends!

Immerse yourself in the heart of our collective imagination and come “twist the neck” of received ideas! The brawling and mustachioed Gaul? Alésia is a Paris metro station? They ate wild boar everyday, like we read in a famous comic book? Some clichés die hard, but here we have decided to show you the real story… Follow the guide!

In the shoes of a warrior
Rather Gaulish? Rather Roman? You are recruited to join the troops of Caesar or Vercingetorix. Brandish a shield, try on a helmet, practice scorpio shooting and learn how to handle weapons… Become the new recruit!

Get your trowels, get set, dig!
Enter the ArchéoLab, an experimental space to understand the profession of archaeologist: digital excavation tray, ceramics to be reconstructed, games to discover aerial archaeology, archaeozoology and carpology… You will know everything about the importance of archeology in Alesia from the 19th century to the present day.

Alesia, the beautiful Roman
Around a model of the Gallo-Roman city, thematic alcoves present many archaeological pieces discovered in Alésia, evoking the daily life of the inhabitants: crafts, religion, cooking…

Ahundred metres of so from the Gallo-Roman ruins, accessible on foot or by car, you can admire the monumental statue of Vercingétorix dating from 1865. 6.60 metres tall, this work in copper was commissioned by Napoleon III to mark the successful conclusionof the archaeological excavations undertaken at Alésia.

Contemporaryanalysis of this statue has revealed numerous anachronistic elements and a representation of the Gauls that has now been debunked by recent archaeological discoveries and a rereading of texts from Antiquity.

Thestatue is free to visit all year round.

Theexact location of the Battle of Alésia was debated for many years. In the XIX century, under the orders of Napoleon III, colossal excavations were carried out at Alise-Sainte-Reine from 1861 until late 1865. These brought to light a huge quantity of weapons,coins belonging to the Gauls and Romans and military items. What is more, the methodology employed (cross referring the discoveries with texts written by Caesar, which was truly experimental archaeology at the time) allowed for a life-sized reconstitutionof sections of the battle lines and of Roman war machines.

Despitethe significance of these findings, the debate raged on and the scientific community remained divided.

Inthe 1990s, a Franco-German team of archaeologists unearthed new evidence. They were able to confirm that the « oppidum of Mont-Auxois in Alise-Sainte-Reine and the military siege of the first century B.C that was uncovered by archaeological digs correspondedwith the Battle of Alésia ».

Today,the French and international scientific community considers Alise-Sainte-Reine as the historic site of the battle.

Quitenaturally, it is on this site that the MuséoParc Alésia now stands.

For6 years, Caesar had been a redoubtable war general whose power was growing and was now ready to lead the War of the Gauls. In order to check his progress, the chieftains of Gaul formed an alliance in 52 B.C under the leadership of Vercingétorix, a young kingof the Arverne people. In Gergovie they defeated Caesar, who decided to withdraw to the Roman province to the south of Gaul. On the journey there, his army was attacked in northern Burgundy by the armies of Vercingétorix who relied on the customary superiorityof its cavalry. The Romans however, thanks to the assistance of the German cavalry, routed them.

Vercingétorixtherefore decided to station his troops (80,000 men, according to Caesar) at the oppidum of Alésia. Facing them was between ten and twelve Roman legions (around 40 to 45,000 men) and several thousand auxiliaries and German cavalrymen.

Caesartook the opportunity to encircle the chieftains of Gaul and lay siege to the oppidum. He ordered the construction of a double line of fortifications and a whole ensemble of very elaborate traps in front of each line.

Ofcourse the Gauls did not just simply watch the Romans; they set out to attack them. The first sortie made by Vercingétorix’s cavalry resulted in defeat and he decided to send them out to bring reinforcements from all across Gaul.

Butas the days passed the Roman fortifications were visibly growing stronger and reinforcement did not arrive. The besieged Gauls were ravaged by hunger. What could they do? Surrender? Attempt another sortie? «Following discussions, it was decidedthat those who were too sick or elderly to be of use would leave the town» De Bello Gallico, VII, 77-78. These exiles, wandering in between the two fortified lines, died of starvation or were massacred.

Helpfinally arrived: 240,000 infantry and 8,000 cavalry, according to Caesar. Twice more the Gauls attempted to escape and were pushed back on both occasions. When they tried for a third time, for many hours the outcome of the battle was uncertain. However, onceagain fortune smiled on Caesar. Under pressure from the Romans, who were supported by the Germans, the Gauls from the relief army fled.

Vercingétorixretreated back inside the oppidum and elected to surrender in order to save his men.

Althoughreferred to as a “battle”, the siege of Alésia probably lasted between a month and a half and two months. The experience, discipline, resilience and organisation of the Roman troops, allied with an exceptional knowledge of the art of siege warfare, guaranteedthat Caesar enjoyed a definitive advantage.

From15^thFebruary to 31^stMarch: 10am to 5pm

April,May and June: 10am to 6pm

Julyand August: 10am to 7pm

Septemberand October: 10am to 6pm

November:10am to 5pm

Average duration of visit
Museum 2h (3h during the summer holidayseason)
Gallo-Romanruins: 45 minutes

Ticketoffice
Last entry at least 45 minutes before the MuséoParc Alésia closes.

* Reducedrate: young person from 13 to 17 years old, students u-26, work experience, adults in large family group, unemployed,… (upon presentation of relevant proof)

** Junior rate: from 7 to 13 years – Free for children under 7 years.

Liberty ticket (for zone A spring, summer and autumn school holidays)

Bycar, train, mobile home, bike or boat… the MuséoParc Alésia awaits you:
1, Route des Trois Ormeaux à Alise-Sainte-Reine (21150)

GPScoordinates:
DD:Latitude: 47.53606 Longitude: 4.468752

Parking :accessible during site opening hoursonly.

Pitchesfor mobile homes outside opening hours are available at Venarey-les Laumes and Semur-en-Auxois.
Overnight parking is prohibited.

Bytrain, TGV or TER
TGV:station at Montbard, 20 min away (1h from Paris to Montbard)
TER : station at Les Laumes-Alésia, at the foot of the site (30min from Dijon)

Byboat along the Canal de Bourgogne :Riverstop at Venarey-les Laumes, 2km from the MuséoParc Alésia.

Bybike along the Véloroute Pays de l’Auxois-Morvan trail: viathe Canal de Bourgogne.

Restaurant

The restaurant Le Carnyx also knows how to cater to your needs. The restaurant is open from 11:45am and lets you enjoy a gourmet break for lunch or a quick snack. All-you-can-eat buffets allow you to journey back in time and to explore Burgundian cuisine with its local products.

DuoMenu (starter or dessert buffet + main dish): 14 €
Trio Menu(starter and dessert buffet + main dish): 16 €
Children’s Menu (under 10): 8 €
In summer, the terrace at the restaurant lets you enjoy your meal in the open air.

Bookshop-Boutique

The bookshop-boutiques, situated in the atrium at the Museum and at the reception pavilion of the Gallo-Roman ruins, let you extend your visit and will delight young and old alike.
Shields,swords, helmets, games, books and magazines (available in English and German) on the siege of Alésia, the Gauls, the Romans and on the Gallo-Roman period in general will allow you to make this moment last.
Someof the highlights available for adults include:
–« The Essential Alésia »; Monograph in English and German for 6.50 euros
–Alésia; the Battle; Magazine in English.
–The cuisine of Antiquity; Book in English.
Someof the highlights available for children include:
–Vercingétorix; what a story! In English
–100 dates in French History; Book in English.
–The History of France; Colouring book in French, English, German and Spanish.
Moreinformation at the boutique
Productsfrom this land of Burgundy, so reputed for its gastronomy, will delight your taste buds: mustard, gingerbread, wines and beers (to be enjoyed in moderation)!

Pets atthe Museum

Ouranimal friends, whatever their species or size, are not admitted, other than guide dogs for the blind or other service animals for disabled visitors. (Art. 7 of the MuséoParc Alésia regulations)

Atthe Gallo-Roman ruins

The supervised areas of the site of the Gallo-Roman ruins allow dogs only when on a lead and they remain the responsibility of their owners. The MuséoParc Alésia reserves the right to refuse entry to any pet without providing justification for its decision.