Roman Museum in Avenches © Avenches Tourisme / Marc-André Guex
© Avenches Tourisme / Marc-André Guex
Roman Museum in Avenches © SMRA - Paul Lutz
© SMRA - Paul Lutz
Roman Museum Avenches Charlotte Walker
© Charlotte Walker

Musée romain d'Avenches

Located between Lausanne and Berne, the former capital of Roman Helvetia is a historical treasure and the Avenches Roman Museum, housed in a mediaeval tower overlooking the famous amphitheatre, explores this exceptional heritage.

The Roman Museum is dedicated entirely to Aventicum, the capital of Roman Helvetia. Surrounded by a 5.5 km wall with 4 gates and 73 towers leading up to the ramparts, Aventicum had a population of 20,000, a number that has never again been reached in the history of Avenches.

Opened in 1838, this museum is located in the 12th century fortified tower built on the Roman amphitheatre. It includes a display of mosaics and friezes and explores the history and romanisation of Aventicum and the private life of the Helvetii. The key piece of the collection is a gold bust of the Emperor Marc-Aurèle, found in 1939 in a pipe of the Cigognier sanctuary.

The remains of the theatre and amphitheatre, a temple, a sanctuary, the thermal baths of the forum or the east gate of Aventicum are permanently visible and accessible.

  • Musée romain d'Avenches
  • Tour de l'amphithéâtre
  • 1580 Avenches - CH


  • Opening hours

    From Feb 1, 2023 To Mar 31, 2023
    Tuesday
    14:00-17:00
    Wednesday
    14:00-17:00

    Thursday
    14:00-17:00

    Friday
    14:00-17:00

    Saturday
    14:00-17:00

    Sunday
    14:00-17:00

    From Apr 1, 2023 To May 31, 2023
    Tuesday
    10:00-17:00
    Wednesday
    10:00-17:00

    Thursday
    10:00-17:00

    Friday
    10:00-17:00

    Saturday
    10:00-17:00

    Sunday
    10:00-17:00

    From Jun 1, 2023 To Jun 30, 2023
    Monday
    10:00-17:00
    Tuesday
    10:00-17:00
    Wednesday
    10:00-17:00

    Thursday
    10:00-17:00

    Friday
    10:00-17:00

    Saturday
    10:00-17:00

    Sunday
    10:00-17:00

    From Jul 1, 2023 To Sep 30, 2023
    Tuesday
    10:00-17:00
    Wednesday
    10:00-17:00

    Thursday
    10:00-17:00

    Friday
    10:00-17:00

    Saturday
    10:00-17:00

    Sunday
    10:00-17:00

    From Oct 1, 2023 To Oct 31, 2023
    Tuesday
    14:00-17:00
    Wednesday
    14:00-17:00

    Thursday
    14:00-17:00

    Friday
    14:00-17:00

    Saturday
    14:00-17:00

    Sunday
    14:00-17:00

    From Nov 1, 2023 To Jan 31, 2024
    Wednesday
    14:00-17:00

    Thursday
    14:00-17:00

    Friday
    14:00-17:00

    Saturday
    14:00-17:00

    Sunday
    14:00-17:00

  • Practical information

    Guided tours on request to Avenches Tourism

    Open on Easter Monday and Pentecost
    Closed on December 25, 26 and 31 and January 1st and 2nd

    The museum remains open during the renovation of the amphitheatre.

  • Prices

    Price
    Entrance
    Free


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Avenches, member of “The Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland”

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Avenches or Aventicum, the former capital of Roman Helvetia, is located on the top of a hill, from where it gazes down at the vestiges of its glorious past, three quarters of which still slumber in the soil. Although the archeological site is one of Switzerland’s most important ones, today’s village has kept its charm boasting central streets complete with arcades, irregular stairs, a 13th-century castle, medieval monuments and historic buildings.

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The Roman Site of Aventicum

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This easy, accessible hike lets everyone discover the grandeur of Roman Helvetica’s ancient city of Aventicum, through its vestiges. Start your hike at the center of the charming medieval village of Avenches, bordered by flower-decked terraces in the summer and listed among the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. Visit the vestiges of the imposing monuments that were a major part of the ancient city’s influence and outreach from the north to the south of the Alps.

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The habits and customs of Aventicum’s inhabitants 2000 years ago included entertaining themselves at the arena by attending gladiator fights, taking time for their well-being, as well as basking and relaxing at the thermal baths. This Roman city was the capital of the Helvetii people, numbering 20,000 souls at the time; a settlement that rose to be a colony and was placed under the Emperor’s protection. Its influence and outreach extended far and wide, from the north to the south of the Alps. Evidence from this sumptuous and flourishing era are still visible today when visiting the Roman Site’s vestiges of its imposing monuments and the Roman Museum’s impressive collection of ancient objects.

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