In the footsteps of Caesar and Vercingetorix >>>

Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr:Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr 12/04/07 11:32 Page 1

In the footsteps of Caesar and Vercingetorix >>>

Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr:Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr 12/04/07 11:32 Page 2

> This melodramatic representation of Vercingetorix surrendering to Caesar - far removed
from a much more prosaic reality - was widely circulated throughout the 20th century.
Painting by Lionel Royer © Musée Crozatier, Le Puy-en-Velay (1889). <<<

The last fight of Vercingetorix >>>

© R. Goguey The year is 52 BC. It is late summer. armies numbering several hundred
> Over two thousand years ago, the present-day Mount Auxois
Under threat almost everywhere thousand men, the Gauls, despite
constituted the stronghold (oppidum) of the Mandubians. <<<
in Gaul, Julius Caesar decides to their courage, are forced to submit.
Welcome to Alésia!
beat a retreat after being repulsed Vercingetorix surrenders to Caesar,
Alésia today: a titanic epic, a remarkable site, a founding myth of
the French nation, a memorial that inspires historians and outside Gergovie. Scarcely has he and even if further battles are yet to
archaeologists. Alésia tomorrow: a MuséoParc which should receive
over 100,000 visitors every year. The fruit of an innovative project reassembled his troops between come, Gaul is on the road to becoming
headed by the General Council of Côte-d’Or with the support of
numerous partners, the MuséoParc of Alésia offers a presentation the Loire and the Yonne when he Roman. A new society is going to be
founded on the results of scientific research, its museum collections,
contemporary architecture and the technologies of communication. is attacked by Vercingetorix. But born, which will bequeath to us its
Here the latest discoveries relating to the battle and the lives of the
inhabitants of Mount Auxois through the centuries will be made the Roman general is undaunted, culture and physical heritage.
accessible to the widest possible public.
and the Gallic chief is forced to
Louis de Broissia _ Senator - Chairman of the General Council of Côte-d’Or.
withdraw to the oppidum* of Alésia

– the present-day Alise-Sainte-Reine – Did you know?,
a stronghold situated some 60 Caesar probably did not draw up
kilometres north-west of Dijon.
a complete plan for the conquest

of Gaul. It was more a sequence
Caesar immediately embarks on of events, unpredictable to begin
immense engineering works: in a few with, that led him to bring the
weeks, two lines of fortifications 15 and patchwork of Gallic tribes under
21 km long, equipped with elaborate the yoke of Rome. The proconsul's
traps, and some thirty camps primary ambition was to gain
encircle the Gauls, who cannot glory and wealth so as to make
manage to get the upper hand. himself a name – in Rome.
The arrival of an impressive army of

reinforcements does not alter the * An oppidum at this period was a fortified town
situation: after a final battle of opposing situated on an elevation.

Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr:Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr 12/04/07 11:32 Page 4

© B. Tschumi Architectes © B. Tschumi Architectes

> The Interpretation Centre will be located at the approach > Downhill from the statue of Vercingetorix
to Alise-Sainte-Reine at the hamlet of Baccarat. <<< on Mount Auxois, he Archaeological Museum
will be built near the Gallo-Roman remains. <<<

> The façade of the Interpretation Centre > The stone “double skin” of the Museum's
will be equipped with a wooden "double skin". façade will recall the Gallic ramparts.
© B. Tschumi Architects <<< © B. Tschumi Architects <<<

HQE procedure.

The MuséoParc is the subject of

Buildings symbolizing the encirclement >>> an HEQ (High Environmental
Quality) procedure which covers

the organization of the works as

An exceptional site deserves actors of talent. The MuséoParc, building on well as the design of the buildings
the work of generations of historians and archaeologists, takes shape with
the aid of a famous leading architect. and fittings. Its purpose is to limit

external impact and ensure

a healthy interior environment by

It was a formidable challenge: how to by the archaeologists, while handling Car parks, access roads and the minimizing nuisances associated

enable visitors to grasp the events of the insertion of the facilities in a clearance of formerly denuded with the building operations, and

a siege that took place over an area protected area with sensitivity. cliffs will be subtly handled by exerting an influence on

almost as large as the present-day The two cylindrical buildings that he landscape architect Michel Desvigne. the choice of building products,

city of Paris? has conceived symbolize the encircle- The exhibition, by scenographer materials and methods, on energy

Designer of the Parc de la Villette and ment of the Gauls by the Romans. Guy-Claude François, will be based and waste management, air

the new museum of the Acropolis The two edifices are distinguished by on antique artefacts while also using quality, acoustics, etc.

in Athens, Bernard Tschumi brought their external cladding: wood for the the most up-to-date multimedia

his experience to bear on the Alésia Interpretation Centre, in reference to techniques to depict the siege, Numerous partners are involved in this

programme. His intention was to the Roman fortifications, and stone, the battle and everyday life. major programme: Europe, the State,

reconcile the force of the event with reminiscent of the murus gallicus local institutions, the Scientific Society

the requirement for “modesty” imposed (Gallic rampart wall) for the Museum. of Semur-en-Auxois, and more.

Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr:Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr 12/04/07 11:32 Page 6

© Illustration Scène

> Just a short walk from the Interpretation Centre,
part of the fortifications, some war machines
and a Roman camp will be reconstructed. <<<

> On the first floor of the Interpretation Centre, © Illustration Scène
a gripping immersion experience. © Illustration Scène. <<<
> On entering the permanent exhibition
The Interpretation Centre: at the heart of the battle >>> you are immediately plunged into the
midst of the confrontation. <<<

The MuséoParc will comprise two centres 2 km apart: an Interpretation investigations; in parallel, “magic A powerfully evocative.
Centre and an Archaeological Museum. The former will be opening its
doors in 2010, the latter in 2011. A preview guided tour… spectacles” invite the visitor to landscape,

The Interpretation Centre is situated booklets or audio-guides, they learn observe a landscape on which are Seen in panoramic view from
down towards the plain at the bottom a host of facts about this period of
of Alise-Sainte-Reine. It places the our history. superimposed scenes of everyday the terrace, the landscape tells
siege of Alésia in its context. Nine From the combat gallery to the fresco
themes are developed here: the of marching armies, from interactive life during the siege. Lastly, a place is the story: the oppidum where
site, the Gauls, the Romans, Caesar maps to multimedia installations,
and the Republic, the Gallic wars, the older children are gradually reserved to consider the myth of Vercingetorix and his troops took
the year 52 BC, the battle, “And immersed in the Europe of two
afterwards?”, and finally, the myth. thousand years ago. In the “theatre Alésia and “our ancestors, the Gauls” refuge, the two rivers mentioned by
With their parents, teachers or group of operations”, all will experience a
leaders, children are able to set off gripping reconstruction of the battles before going outside to see the most Julius Caesar in his Commentaries
in the footsteps of Caesar and of Alésia. Then each visitor can linger
Vercingetorix. Equipped with game over the progress of the archaeological spectacular physical feature of the on the Gallic Wars, the plain

MuséoParc: a life-size reconstruction three thousand paces across,

of Roman fortifications measuring a where most of the battles were

hundred metres across and part of fought, the hills where the

the Roman camp. Romans set up their camps…

Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr:Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr 12/04/07 11:32 Page 8

© B. Tschumi Architects > On Mount Auxois, the terrace of the Archaeological © B. Tschumi Architects
© Ph. Gillet Museum will form a splendid vantage point from
which one can imagine how the gauls gazed across > From the reception area, visitors can make their way
“the three thousand paces wide” plain. <<< to the exhibitions on the first floor or, on the ground floor,
to the tea-room,the bookshop-boutique
> A few hundred metres from the Museum, and the educational rooms. <<<
the Gallo-Roman remains (the excavation site)
twill be shown to advantage. <<<

The Archaeological Museum: at the heart of everyday life >>> Something for everyone,,
The MuséoParc is a place
We change course now for Mount Auxois, between the statue of Vercingetorix
and the Excavation Site. This is the other component of the MuséoParc, accessible to anyone, irrespective
consisting of a museum linked to the remains of the Gallo-Roman village
and archaeological base reserved for researchers. of their prior knowledge or the

The Museum offers a broad panorama after the siege; a profusion that makes time they have to spare.
of the sites evolution, from prehis- this civilization that vanished over
toric times to the present day. The 1,500 years ago very real to the visitor. From the permanent exhibitions
visitor will of course be shown Reconstructions of a bronze-workers
objects bearing witness to the occu- shop and a sanctuary cellar, enriched to the play areas, from the
pation of the stronghold shortly with multimedia presentations, a bust
before the siege by Julius Caesar: of a woman, a mirror, amphorae, a Museums Resource Centre to the
ceramics, kettles, bracelets, pegs from wooden bucket, an oculist's stamp,
the murus gallicus… But the main glass tableware, bronze-workers' Gallo-Roman town: homes, trade, Interpretation Centres lecture
discoveries of the archaeologists have moulds, pieces of horse harness and
been sculptures and objects from the many other items collected tell the story crafts… Religion plays the part of an theatre, where conferences,
Gallo-Roman town that was built of how life was organized in the
Ariadne's thread in understanding seminars and film shows are

the history of Alésia. The importance organized, from the educational

and the common features of the rooms to the temporary exhibitions

Gallic, Roman and Christian beliefs and events, from the restaurant to

are of course clearly brought out. the tea-room and the bookshop-

Part of the Museum is also reserved boutique, there is something

for the scientists whose discoveries for the wishes or needs of all.

will add material to the permanent Special consideration is also

and temporary exhibitions intended given to people with disabilities

for the general public. or limited mobility.

Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr:Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr 12/04/07 11:32 Page 10

© Illustration Scène © R. Guiton

© P. Pichon © P. Pichon

© M. Desvigne > Where the trail leads, you, Alésia at liberty:
on horseback, mountain-bike or on foot, enjoy
> The many discovery trails provide an opportunity to spend from half an hour exploring this exceptional site at your own pace. <<<
to a day or more understanding the relationship between history and landscape. <<<

The Discovery Trails: in the heart of nature >>> Leave, and come back again…,

Since it is difficult to grasp the difficulties confronting the combatants superb view of the whole length of There is so much to see on the site
without moving slowly around the site, the visit naturally follows the the oppidum, and be able to wander that a single day is not enough!
Discovery Trails. throught the narrow streets of What makes a longer stay all the
Flavigny. Then you are invited to more tempting is that the Muséo-
The Discovery Trails are ideal for Viewpoint indicator tables and return to the statue of Vercingetorix Parc is located in a region blessed
and admire all the rich heritage of with a remarkable cultural heri-
little family walks or more sporting information points are distributed the village of Alise-Sainte-Reine, tage. We need only to mention the
before getting back to your car, Abbey of Fontenay, a registered
excursions on foot, mountain-bike over Mount Auxois and the Flavigny coach or motorcycle. Unesco World Heritage site,
A delight for nature lovers, who Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, one of
or on horseback. Starting from and Pennevelle hills. After leaving appreciate the harmony of land- France's Most Beautiful Villages,
scape and also fot photographic the château of Bussy-Rabutin,
the Interpretation Centre or your vehicle on the “shady” car enthusiasts! the mediaeval town of Semur-en-
Auxois, and the naturalist
the Archaeological Museum, there park at the Interpretation Centre, Buffon’s museum, park and forges
at Montbard. In the surrounding
are numerous possible ways to adopt and with the aid of a leaflet, audio- area you can locate the “treasure
of the Tumulus” of the Princess of
the standpoint of the Romans or guide, or accompanied by a Vix at Châtillon-sur-Seine, the
various sources of the river Seine,
of the Gauls, to grasp how closely Conference guide, you can make and much more.

linked are history and the lie of your way on foot to the site of

the land, and to measure the full Caesar's camp, which is due south

physical extent of the theatre of of the car park, halfway up the

operations. hillside, where you will enjoy a

Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr:Alesia 105x210 ANGLAIS corr 12/04/07 11:32 Page 12 Design and creation BL/LB France/Communiquez Group - Linocut Thierry Batin - Text Philippe Mathieu/Mission Alésia

© Latitude/Cartagene
The Alésia site enjoys excellent access:
_ By road: A6 motorway (Bierre-lès-Semur exit, 22 km away)

RN71 (Dijon-Troyes) and RD 905 (Dijon-Montbard).
_ By train: Montbard TGV station, 15 km away

and Venarey-les Laumes station, at the bottom of the site.
_ By the Burgundy Canal: waterway base with facilities

at Venarey-les Laumes.

Conseil Général de la Côte-d’Or
Mission Alésia
BP 1601 - 21035 Dijon Cedex
Tél. 03 80 63 64 52 - Fax : 03 80 63 64 49 - [email protected] - www.alesia.com