Malagne – Archéoparc de Rochefort

About the museum

Around 1890, the Société archéologique de Namur uncovered, between Jemelle and Rochefort at the site known as Neufchâteau, an imposing main building and four outbuildings. The site offers one of the rare almost complete layouts of a Gallo-Roman villa in use during the first four centuries AD. Researchers of the time were mainly interested in reconstructing the way of life from the objects found.

A century later, between 1992 and 1997, archaeologists of the Walloon Region resumed the excavations. They found an additional outbuilding, a glassmaker's furnace and forge hearths, clarified the chronology and function of the buildings, and revealed an ancient pond whose pollen made it possible to identify certain plants. The estate was divided into two parts: the pars urbana, with the main residence, baths and latrines, and the pars rustica, with the five agricultural outbuildings, the pond and the surrounding land.

Today Malagne is a listed site and monument. The main building and the baths have been consolidated, while other buildings have been reconstructed in timber, rammed earth and wattle and daub: a barn-stable, a working forge, a kitchen, a brewhouse, a bread oven, a potter's kiln and a bloomery. The visit is organised around three themes: heritage, nature and culture. A farm keeps heritage livestock breeds to evoke the Gallo-Roman estate.

Highlights

• Consolidated remains of the Gallo-Roman villa: main building and baths
• Reconstructed buildings in timber, rammed earth and wattle and daub, including a working forge
• Experimental archaeology: brewhouse, bread oven, potter's kiln and bloomery
• Heritage farm: horses, cattle, sheep, a donkey and poultry
• Free audio guide for paying adults
• Event days: Rendez-vous gallo-romain, Journées Découvertes

Permanent exhibitions

• Villa gallo-romaine et vestiges – The consolidated remains of the main building and baths, from the excavations of 1890 and 1992–1997.
• Reconstitutions et archéologie expérimentale – A barn-stable, a working forge, a kitchen, a brewhouse, a bread oven, a potter's kiln and a bloomery, with tools for farming and craft activities.
• Ferme aux races anciennes – Horses, cattle, sheep, a donkey and poultry of heritage or rare breeds, to evoke the Gallo-Roman farm.

Admission & discounts

Free audio guide for each paying adult or senior. Free entry for residents of greater Rochefort. The MuseumPASSmusées gives free entry to the estate (preferential rate on event days) and can be bought at reception for €64.95. Combined rates with Rochefort's tourist bus (information from Rochefort Tourisme).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Gallo-stages for children aged 4 to 12 during the holidays, birthday parties for 10 to 20 children (€14 per child) and activity days. A mini heritage farm lets children meet the animals.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Shop and café, picnic area and terrace; electronic payment accepted.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Hire of the site and team-building packages for associations and companies, by reservation.

Plan your visit