Musée d'archéologie tricastine
Archaeology museum in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, enlarged and reopened in 2026: from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages, Gallo-Roman necropolis of Valladas.
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About the museum
The museum grew out of the finds of the Société d’Archéologie et d’Histoire, which displayed its discoveries in a small room in the 1970s. In 1986, the society gave its entire collections to the town. With no permanent gallery yet available, the Archidiacre exhibition hall was inaugurated in February 2005 as a temporary solution, with a new exhibition every two years.
The extension works began in September 2024: the exhibition space was tripled, with a permanent exhibition on two levels, and the Archidiacre building was retained. The new museum was inaugurated by the town on January 30, 2026 and reopened to the public on February 17, 2026, following renovation, an extension and a new scenography.
The route traces the history of the Tricastin from the first prehistoric settlements to the Middle Ages, passing through the Gallo-Roman period. The museum holds the Musée de France label. Its collections come from excavations from Montélimar to Orange and from the Rhône as far as Nyons, notably the Valladas necropolis (240 Gallo-Roman graves from the 1st and 2nd centuries) and several mosaics.
Highlights
- Gallo-Roman necropolis of Valladas: 240 graves with grave goods
- Mosaic of the Bonne Rue (16.7 m², 1st century)
- Stone Hebrew Ark from the 15th century
- Gallo-Roman funerary stelae and a dedication to Augustus
- Route from prehistory to the Middle Ages over two levels
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent : du Néolithique au Moyen Âge – Permanent exhibition over two levels on the history of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux and the Tricastin, from prehistory to the Middle Ages, including the Gallo-Roman period.
- Founded
- 1986
- Operated by
- Ville de Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4 |
| Groups | –Groups by appointment only. |
| Pass’musées (MUSAT and the truffle museum), valid for one week | €7On presentation of the pass. |
| Pupils from outside Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux (school groups) | €4Per pupil; in-class workshop: €5 per pupil. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Free activity booklet for children. Workshops for children and teenagers during the European Heritage Days; educational workshops for schools and leisure centres year-round.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The museum does not mention any urban transport. Pierrelatte railway station (8 km); TGV stations at Montélimar (30 km), Orange (30 km), Avignon (60 km) and Valence (70 km).
By car
Parking available
Chausy car park, 120 spaces.
By car, follow the signs for “Centre ancien.” Exits from the A7: Montélimar Sud (20 km), Bollène (10 km), Orange (30 km).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Heritage tour of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux with a guide, by appointment. Self-guided visit with the Wivisites app in three languages (QR code in the museum). School workshops lasting 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (stonemasonry, mosaic, prehistoric life); bookings at 04 75 04 74 19 or by email. |
