Musée archéologique d'Arlon

About the museum

Founded in 1934, the Arlon Archaeological Museum brings together many traces of Gallo-Roman civilisation discovered in the province of Luxembourg. Its collections are closely linked to the Institut archéologique du Luxembourg, founded in 1847 by decision of the Permanent Deputation to search for and conserve the historic monuments and works of art of the province. Since 1934, the museum has occupied a building on the rue des Martyrs, the former Maison Garnier.

Arlon, which the Romans called Orolaunum vicus, developed at the crossroads of two major roads, from Reims to Trier and from Metz to Tongeren. The first discoveries date back to the 17th century, when the demolition of the late-antique rampart revealed fragments of funerary monuments reused in its foundations. It is this reuse that explains the excellent state of preservation of the dozens of sculptures in the stone gallery, a true image of how wealthy Gallo-Romans wished to be remembered.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the Hochgericht and Spetz necropolises, then preventive excavations carried out in the early 2000s in the craft quarter, enriched the rooms with ceramics, jewellery, coins and tools. More than forty other archaeological sites in the province are also represented there. Each year a temporary exhibition is added to the permanent route, spread over six rooms and two floors.

Highlights

• Gallery of Gallo-Roman funerary sculptures reused in the rampart
• Everyday Gallo-Roman objects: ceramics, jewellery, coins and tools
• Gods, goddesses, beliefs and trades of antiquity at Orolaunum
• Children's route with booklets, Muséojeux bag and legionary costumes
• Certified Access-i for accessibility

Permanent exhibition

• Exposition permanente sur Orolaunum vicus – Six rooms on two floors present the gallery of funerary sculptures, the gods and beliefs, the trades and commercial exchanges of the Gallo-Roman settlement.

Founded

1934

Operated by

Ville d'Arlon

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month: free admission.

Free admission on proof for members of the Institut archéologique du Luxembourg, holders of an ICOM card, holders of the museumPASSmusées and the pass 365.be, guides of the Arlon Tourist Office, teachers, journalists, holders of an Article 27 ticket and jobseekers.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The museum has been certified Access-i since 2016, until July 2029. Entrance accessible to wheelchairs, with an adapted lift; one parking space for people with reduced mobility in the courtyard and others on rue des Martyrs. A one-hour multisensory route for groups of up to 8 people (blind or partially sighted people), by reservation. The exhibition is accessible independently to deaf and hard-of-hearing people through booklets and an app. Sensory bag (noise-cancelling headphones, tinted glasses, stress-relief objects) for autistic people or people who are hypersensitive; easy-read booklet. Assistance dogs admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Bag and discovery booklets for children aged 6 to 12, family booklets from age 4 and from age 8, a ‘Muséojeux’ bag and Roman legionary or citizen costumes for children aged 4 to 12. Workshops ‘Les mercredis aux musées’, activities ‘Marmaille & Co’ and birthday parties at the museum.

Getting there & parking

By car: E411, exit Arlon, then follow the ‘musées’ signs towards the town centre.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Shop with more than 400 items (postcards, books, toys, jewellery). Unsupervised cloakroom and padlocked lockers available on request at reception. Possibility to connect to the museum's Wi-Fi on site. Chairs in the exhibition rooms.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit