Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum, Perigueux

Museum on the site of the remains of a 2,000 year-old Roman mansion

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This glass museum designed by Jean Nouvel is located on the site of a Roman mansion discovered accidentally in the late 1950s. The remains of this huge villa are impressive and include murals dating back to the 1st century.

The museum has an excellent permanent exhibition allowing you to walk on raised walkways over the ruins. It also houses a collection of artefacts from Roman times. The long entrance offer a spectacular view down into the archaeological site, whilst the collections illustrate the prosperity of the ancient administrative centre, the city and its inhabitants, the great monuments, the architectural surroundings, the dead world, religion and trade.

Worth knowing

The building itself was designed by the architect Jean Nouvel, known for his work on the Quai Branly museum in Paris.

Who should go

A museum not to be missed for those who have even a slight interest in history and archaeology. This is a wonderfully preserved sample of ancient life.