Led by Stéphane Bern, the Mission for the Safeguarding of Endangered Heritage with the support of the Ministry of Culture and in partnership with the Heritage Foundation, distinguishes each year 18 emblematic sites across France.
The rediscovery of a Gallo-Roman site
In the Roman Empire, the site of Châteaubleau is a real agglomeration located on an important communication axis between Meaux and Sens, which includes residential districts, several temples and a theatre. Abandoned at the end of antiquity, the Gallo-Roman remains plunged completely into oblivion, until 1850, when a teacher identified, with the help of his young students, a whole series of objects: ancient coins, axes, tiles bearing inscriptions, etc. Victor Burin, then his descendants will be passionate about this discovery until the creation in 1953 of an archaeological association, La Riobé. Since 1961, planned excavations have been carried out on the site, with the support of the DRAC Ile-de-France, and have contributed to the knowledge of this remarkable ensemble.
Gallo-Roman archaeological site © Heritage Foundation - La Riobé
An ancient site of exceptional interest
The site of Châteaubleau displays very interesting monuments: the ancient theatre and the sanctuary of Sources in particular, but it also revealed discoveries of objects of great originality. Indeed, it is in this small village 15km from Provins that we found the longest texts known in Gallic language, inscribed on tiles. The excavations also uncovered workshops producing counterfeit coins.
The sanctuary was protected as a historical monument in 1969, and the progress of the excavations made it possible to classify the theatre in 1983.
Remains to be preserved and enhanced
The structures uncovered during excavations suffer from several disorders: water infiltrations, cracks, plant colonization, deformations, old cement restorations, etc. Initially, the remains must therefore be stabilized and protected from the elements, and a drainage system put in place. Its conservation interventions are essential and priority.
Gallo-roman site © Heritage Foundation - Ludovic Delage
However, the community of municipalities of Brie Nangissiena, owner, also plans to develop an ambitious cultural project to allow a large public to enjoy these discoveries through a landscape tour. A contemporary structure will give back to the theatre its original volume and will allow to embrace the whole site, while respecting the preserved character of the Briard landscape of the town. A excavation development area will also give the young public the opportunity to learn about the practice of archaeology.
Gallo-roman site © Heritage Foundation - Ludovic Delage
The site, which already receives 1,000 visitors a year and carries out educational activities and hosts every 4 years a Gallo-Roman festival, wishes to develop the theatre to organize concerts and shows.
Gallo-Roman archaeological site © Fondation du patrimoine - Sarl Abdpa Architecture
The DRAC, which continues its scientific support of the site, will also support this work of raising awareness of the heritage and will participate in the funding of the restorations.
Gallo-Roman archaeological site in Châteaubleau
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