• Ruins of the
most luxurious, second Gallo-Roman villa, with :
• a hypocaust heating system in the sub-foundations
• private thermal baths and a swimming pool (thermal)
• and, above all, magnificent MOSAICS from the 4th century
Aquitaine school which are the jewel in Montcaret’s crown.
Mosaics Courtesy of the
National Monuments Centre
The ruins were
first discovered in 1827 buried in the cemetery surrounding
the church and were excavated in the years 1920 -1940 by
Pierre Martial Tauziac, an inhabitant of Montcaret, under the
supervision of M. Formige, head architect of the Beaux-Arts
Institute.
-A museum
recently built by the Ministry of Arts and Culture includes
part of M. Tauziac’s collection, notably a rare 11th century
ENCOLPIUM (breast plate).
Church
-An 11th
century Benedictine church (original sub-foundations and
chevet) stands next to the ruins and museum.
The surrounding countryside of beautiful landscapes and
interesting architectural features hint at a rich agricultural
past.
Annual Events
Montcaret Village Fête traditionally takes place on the first
Sunday of August.
