Montmaurin offers a journey deep into the past: using an interactive model, the archaeological museum presents the 350,000-year history of this remarkable site. The ancient collections also include terra sigillata pottery, coins and jewellery.
Those who choose Montmaurin as a holiday destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment.
Culture
The Villa Lassalles is one of the largest known villas in France and today covers 1.5 hectares. It has almost 150 rooms and, in several areas, underfloor heating supplied by a hypocaust system. The baths wing includes a gallery surrounded by columns beside a pool.
At the ancient site of Hillère, visitors can see the Chapelle Notre-Dame, which houses several mosaics. A self-guided visit begins at the museum in the village and then continues on the grounds of the Gallo-Roman Villa Lassalles. Staff from the monuments authority help visitors discover the archaeological sites and the Montmaurin museum.
History
The Villa de la Hillère was built around a spring or spring outlet; its reception room faces this spring outlet. Because of its reputed healing powers, the spring became associated with the emergence of a pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages.
Nature
Animal bones and the discovery of the Venus of Lespugue attest to a human presence in the Gorges de la Save during the Palaeolithic; the area is also described as having a remarkable ecosystem.
Geographical location
The archaeological sites can be reached by road from Tarbes via Saint-Gaudens, and from Toulouse through the Save or Garonne valley.
