Bibracte
The Gallic capital of the Aedui, hidden in the forest of Mont Beuvray, with a modern archaeology museum.
- Heritage site
- 1 h 03 from Beaune
- Allow half a day
- Saint-Léger-sous-Beuvray
€220one way from Beaune with a private driver
At a glance
- Official website
- bibracte.fr
Getting there
Private driver from Beaune: 1 h 03 by road (79 km), €220 one way for the whole car.
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About the place
More than 2,000 years ago, the Aedui built their capital on the summit of Mont Beuvray, in the southern Morvan. Today the forest covers the remains of Bibracte, which you can explore on marked paths. At the foot of the hill, a museum tells the story of the Gallic town and of the excavations.
What you will see
Begin at the museum, where two floors present the life of the Aedui through objects from the excavations, models and films, alongside temporary exhibitions. Then head up Mont Beuvray, which reaches 821 metres, to explore the ramparts, gates and excavated quarters under the trees, on your own or with a guide. The La Boussole app reveals the Gallic town on your smartphone as you walk.
History
Bibracte was a fortified town, or oppidum, founded towards the end of the 2nd century BC. Its first rampart enclosed about 200 hectares, later reduced to 135. Julius Caesar described it as by far the largest and richest town of the Aedui. In 52 BC, during the great revolt against Rome, an assembly of Gallic peoples at Bibracte proclaimed Vercingetorix leader of the coalition. After Augustus founded Autun nearby, the hilltop was gradually abandoned.
For centuries scholars argued about where Bibracte lay. Jacques-Gabriel Bulliot identified the site on Mont Beuvray in 1867 and excavated it for several decades, with funding from Napoleon III. Excavations resumed in 1984 at the initiative of President François Mitterrand, followed by a European research centre and the museum in the 1990s. The site received the Grand Site de France label in December 2007.
Planning your visit
Tips for your visit
Bibracte lies west of Autun, so it combines well with a morning in the town. Plan at least half a day, with walking shoes and an extra layer for the summit. The on-site restaurant, Le Chaudron, serves Gallic-inspired food from March to November. The museum has seasonal hours; check the official website for opening times.
Around here
What to combine with Bibracte on the same day, nearest first.
Questions
Bibracte is about 1 h 03 from Beaune by road (79 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €220 for the whole car, up to 4 guests.
Did you know? Scholars long believed Bibracte lay beneath Autun, and after the French Revolution Autun itself was renamed Bibracte for a time. Excavations on Mont Beuvray from 1867 finally settled the question.
Sources
Bibracte with a private driver
€220 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests