Center with historical re-enactments and replicas of war machines in the place where the Romans defeated the Gauls.
For 6 years, Caesar was a formidable warlord extending his power by waging his Gallic War. To oppose this progression, in 52 BC J.-C., the Gallic leaders are united under the authority of Vercingétorix, young king of Arverne.
They beat Caesar in Gergovia and decides to return to the Roman province, south of Gaul. On this route, his army was attacked in the north of Burgundy by the army of Vercingétorix which counted on the usual superiority of its knights. But the Romans, thanks to the contribution of the Germanic cavalry, defeated them.
Vercingétorix then decides to install his troops (80,000 men, according to Caesar) in the oppidum of Alésia. In front of them, ten to twelve Roman legions (i.e. 40 to 45,000 men) and several thousand German auxiliaries and knights.
Built on the plain of Alesia, this symbolic architecture building was designed by the famous architect Bernard Tschumi.
Its circular shape evokes the siege of Alésia, the net that covers the building winks at the wooden fortifications used by the Romans, while the oblique columns of its atrium recall the chaos of the battle itself.
Inside, an educational path built around archaeological discoveries and hypotheses confirmed by scientists places Alésia firmly in the context of the War of the Gauls (58 to 51 BC).
Thanks to an audio guide in 7 languages ​​(French, English, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese) available in versions for adults and children, you can explore the background of the conflict and how the battle that launched Vercingétorix against César unfolded:
- The conquests of the Roman army,
- The revolt of the leaders of Gaul,
- The clash of the two armies,
- The siege of Alésia and the victory of Caesar.
The significance of the archaeological finds and the myths of the Gauls complete this path.
Maps, movies, displays, scale models, multimedia features and entertainment aimed at a wide range of people combine to enhance the experience.
Museum Parc Alésia
Address: 1 Route des trois Ormeaux, 21150
Phone: +33 3 80 96 96 23
Site:
https://www.alesia.com/Location inserted by
giulia