Bibracte
Stage no. 9: by Mathieu
Through the eyes of members of the Thomas Family (Mathieu, 37 years old / Marion, 38 / Marius, 13 / Margaux, 10), experience Southern Burgundy's 9 "must-stops" as a sequence of episodes for a total immersion as intense as it is unforgettable…
| " Before arriving at Bibracte, my guess is that the kids' only exposure to archaeology (and Marion is upset with me for saying so) was contained in episodes 1 through 4 of Indiana Jones. I'm only slightly exaggerating here, even though the Bibracte stop was in some respects our last crusade, and the one bringing to a close our incredible odyssey through Southern Burgundy. |  |
For me personally, I was really looking forward to this day spent at such an exceptional site, with over two millennia of history to contemplate.
Here's the exact spot where Vercingetorix was hailed as leader of Gaul's armies (Marius' raised eyebrow suggested some real interest), principal theatre of combat between the Gaul people and Julius Caesar (talk about star power). Something to behold.
But before dwelling on its tremendous historical and archaeological significance, Bibracte is first and foremost a spectacular (and panoramic) vista point.
The road leading to the site, atop Mont Beuvray, is laid out like a very clever scene, giving the impression of traversing a magical forest with gnarled and moss-covered beech trees shielding passengers from view, before reaching this plateau surging to the fore after a sweeping left turn with a steep drop-off to the other side. Such a tortuous path to get here. I absolutely adored the architecture of the Celtic Civilisation Museum, which seems to literally blend (fuse) with the surrounding environment. Simply amazing.
And the magic continues on the inside thanks to a tablet-driven interactive exploration of the exhibit (Margaux loved it), contributing its own set of surprises, a real stepping stone toward complete immersion.
And the magic continues on the inside thanks to a tablet-driven interactive exploration of the exhibit (Margaux loved it), contributing its own set of surprises, a real stepping stone toward complete immersion. I'm a big fan of this kind of living showcase, a place of ongoing archaeological digs, the opportunity to observe a group of on-site archaeologists performing their daily work, not nearly as glamourous as that of the good Doctor Jones."
You'll also love Bibracte for…
- Gaul-like lunch at the Le Chaudron restaurant: For a gustatory experience inspired from the types of foods frequently eaten by the Gaul people, including their Celtic (wooden) dishware.
- Daylong archaeology hike: A full day spent at Bibracte, with a guided tour of the natural and archaeological sites, audio-guided museum visit, visit of the temporary exhibit and a typical Gaul meal.
- Tree climbing: To see the Mont Beuvray forest from the treetops along a secure adventure course (accompanied by a certified instructor), where all your senses will be stimulated.
More information:
Discover the other steps of these holidays: