Cité gallo-romaine de Jublains (Noviodunum)

Jublains

Jublains, a village of the Mayenne, is the ancient Noviodunum, “the new town”, capital of the Gallic people of the Diablintes. A Gallic sanctuary is attested there as early as the 4th century BC. Under Augustus the town became a chief town; a notable named Orgetorix gave it a theatre. In the 1st century the grid plan was laid out, but never completed. The Gallo-Roman temple was begun around 66–68 and used until about the 120s. The baths, in full activity around 80, were converted into a church, probably around the 5th century. The most intriguing piece is the fort: a central building, perhaps around 200, surrounded by an earth rampart around 290, then by a stone wall begun around 295 under Diocletian and never finished. Abandoned in the 4th century, it remains, according to the regional tourist office, a monument “unique in Gaul” whose function still intrigues archaeologists. In the 5th century the Diablintes were attached to the Cenomani and the town lost its rank; it died out around the early 10th century, when the new power of Mayenne reused its stones. The present church, rebuilt in 1877, rests on the base of the Roman walls of the baths.

Getting there: Village of Jublains. A departmental archaeological museum gives access to the fort; opening hours not verified. Coordinates: Jublains museum in OpenStreetMap (Nominatim); the remains are spread through the village.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound