The Vallon Roman Museum is built on the very site of a Roman villa, 6 km from Avenches, ancient Aventicum. Here you can discover two large mosaics preserved in situ, the “Hunt” and “Bacchus and Ariadne”, as well as objects from everyday life.
Archaeological museums
Main highlights
- Two Roman mosaics preserved in their entirety, the “Hunt” and “Bacchus and Ariadne”
- An authentic archaeological site, 6 km from Aventicum, capital of Roman Helvetia
- A model of the Roman villa recreating the three wings and the portico
Overview
The Vallon Roman Museum is an archaeological museum linked to Aventicum (Avenches), capital of Roman Helvetia, located 6 km to the east. It showcases the site of a vast L-shaped Roman complex, 160 m long and 20 m wide, uncovered over eight excavation campaigns.
The discovery was accidental. On 16 December 1970, the laying of a pipeline revealed fragments of tiles and painted plaster. In 1981 and 1982, test excavations carried out ahead of the construction of a house uncovered several rooms with preserved floors, demolition layers and a Roman road.
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What to see and do
The museum is built around two fully preserved mosaics, the “Hunt” mosaic and the “Bacchus and Ariadne” mosaic. They are the centrepiece of the site and bear witness to the decoration of the wealthy Roman residences in the region.
The ancient building had three wings, fronted by a long portico with colonnades and arcades that gave access to some forty rooms. A model of the villa helps you picture the complex as a whole and locate the remains on display.
The collections also include wall paintings and objects found on site. Among them is a bronze lararium, a small shrine dedicated to household worship, which sheds light on religious practices within the Roman home.
Practical information
Visit duration : allow about an hour to explore the museum.
Guided tours : available on request in French, German, Italian and English.
Audience : the exhibition suits archaeology enthusiasts and families with children alike.
Location : the museum is in Vallon, in the Broye region, 6 km from Avenches.
Visiting tips
Start with the model of the villa to place the mosaics within the building as a whole. Explanations on construction techniques and the Roman way of life complement your observation of the remains. For a day devoted to Antiquity, combine your visit with the site at Avenches.
Nearby attractions
- The Gletterens Lake Village recreates the stilt houses built 6,000 years ago on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel.
- The Payerne Military Aviation Museum displays Swiss military jet aircraft, close to the runways.
- The Avenches Roman Site and Museum introduces Aventicum, capital of Roman Helvetia from the 1st to the 3rd century.
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