Ruins of Champlieu

History of Champlieu

Champlieu was once a vicus, a small Gallo-Roman rural settlement, located on a strategic Roman road linking Senlis to Soissons.

Founded in the 1^er century AD, this site flourished for several hundred years before being abandoned during the 3rd^e century.

An archaeological discovery

The archaeological site of Champlieu, known in writings since the 16th century^e century as a Roman camp was discovered in 1857, during excavations carried out by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and then Albert Roucy. This site, dating from the XNUMXnd^e century AD, was then part of the monumental center of an ancient secondary settlement composed of a temple, a theater and thermal baths.

One of Champlieu's most remarkable discoveries is the Gallo-Roman theater. With a capacity of approximately 3 spectators, this theater is a typical example of Roman architecture. The semicircular layout and stone tiers are still clearly visible, giving an idea of ​​the scale and organization of the shows of the time.

The ruins of the Roman baths are also present on the site. These public baths were a central part of Roman social life, providing facilities for bathing, relaxing, and socializing. The remains of the various spaces, such as the frigidarium (cold room), the tepidarium (warm room), and the caldarium (hot room), provide insight into the complex functioning of these infrastructures.

Another key feature of the Champlieu site is the temple dedicated to Roman deities. This sanctuary, although partially in ruins, preserves important architectural elements, including columns and pillar bases. The temple was likely a central place of worship for the inhabitants of Champlieu, where religious rites and ceremonies took place.

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