Musée archéologique Théo-Desplans
Museum in Vaison-la-Romaine devoted to sculptures, mosaics and everyday objects found on the town’s ancient sites.
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About the museum
The Musée archéologique Théo-Desplans is located inside the ancient site of Puymin in Vaison-la-Romaine. It brings together most of the sculptures and objects uncovered during excavations on the town’s archaeological sites. It reopened in 1998 after renovation and holds the Musée de France label.
The collections illustrate the lives of the inhabitants in the Gallo-Roman period: housing, religion, crafts, personal care and tools. The imperial marble statues, including the pair of Hadrian and Sabina, are among the best-known pieces. The museum also displays frescoes, the mosaic of the Villa du Paon, everyday and funerary objects, as well as stelae and votive statues.
A 3D projection shows a reconstruction of the Maison au Dauphin. The entrance ticket gives access to the museum and to the Puymin site, where the museum is located.
Highlights
- Imperial marble statues, including Hadrian and Sabina
- Mosaic from the Villa du Paon
- Frescoes and everyday Gallo-Roman objects
- Stelae, votive statues and funerary objects
- 3D projection of the Maison au Dauphin
- Operated by
- Ville de Vaison-la-Romaine
- Visitors per year
- approx. 68,628 (2023)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Young people aged 10 to 17 and students under 25 |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 9 · Rate for ages 10 to 17; free up to age 9. |
| Students & apprentices | €4Students under 25. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €6.50 per personAdult rate from 15 paying visitors. |
| School groups, after-school groups and supervised students | €3.50 |
The Pass ticket, valid for 24 hours and sold on site, gives access to the museum, the Puymin ancient site and all the town’s monuments. Payment by cheque, bank card or cash.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is wheelchair accessible with assistance. Dogs are not admitted, except guide dogs and assistance dogs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 9 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
A free activity booklet for ages 6 to 12 is available on site. Admission is free up to age 9, and the audio guide includes a commentary aimed at young people.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Cave La Romaine ou Avenue des Choralies
Bus Zou! lines 904, 911, 924 and 984.
By car
Free parking
Many free car parks are located near the sites. Coaches park on Place Burrus or Place François Cevert (except Tuesday mornings, market day).
The museum is inside the ancient site of Puymin; the entrance is through the site, on Rue Burrus.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Payment by cheque, bank card or cash.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FR, EN, DE, NL) |
| Good to know | Self-guided or commented visits; commented visits must be booked depending on the period. Audio guides in French, English, German and Dutch, with a special commentary for young people. During the Toussaint school holidays, town guides offer a tour of about 1 hour 30 minutes of a Roman quarter of Puymin, in French, included in the ticket. |
