Musée des Temps barbares
Site museum devoted to the Merovingian period, housed in a former mill and complemented by a four-hectare archaeological park.
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About the museum
It all began in the winter of 1980–1981 in Goudelancourt-lès-Pierrepont, when a farmer plowing his field uncovered a sarcophagus lid. He alerted archaeologists and, together with them, founded the GRAC association. From 1981 to 1987, seven excavation campaigns uncovered a complete Merovingian necropolis: 458 burials spread across two cemeteries, used from the mid-6th to the late 7th century. Neighboring settlement areas, including an entire farm, were excavated from 1988 onward.
The town of Marle joined the project, and the museum opened in June 1991 in a 12th-century former mill on the banks of the Serre. An official excavation depot was installed on the fourth floor, allowing the finds from the site to be studied and conserved.
The tour unfolds over two levels: objects, reconstructions, models and panels, plus an audiovisual presentation on the history of the excavations. Notable pieces include the decorated sarcophagus lid, three gold bird-shaped brooches set with garnets and a bird stele. Outdoors, a four-hectare archaeological park presents a Merovingian farm, a reconstructed Frankish village, a necropolis and an archaeological garden.
Highlights
- Decorated sarcophagus lid that led to the discovery
- Gold bird-shaped brooches set with garnets
- Bird stele
- Merovingian weapons, tools, jewelry and pottery
- Archaeological park with reconstructed farm, Frankish village and necropolis
Permanent exhibition
- Musée et parc archéologique mérovingien – Funerary and settlement finds from the 6th and 7th centuries in the former mill, with a reconstructed farm, Frankish village, necropolis and archaeological garden outside.
- Founded
- 1991
- Operated by
- Ville de Marle
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Young people aged 12 to 18 |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 12: €2; free for children under 6. |
| Groups | €5 per personGroup and school rate. |
| School classes – half day with educator (per pupil) | €5 |
| School classes – full day with workshops (per pupil) | €9 |
Chèques Culture are accepted.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The archaeological park is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility; the museum rooms, located on the second and third floors, are not accessible to wheelchair users.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
The coach parking is at the far end of the archaeological park, about 500 meters on foot from the museum; coaches may also drop passengers in front of the museum before parking.
A PDF access map is available on the museum's website.
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 · approx. 2.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | A cultural educator specialized in archaeology offers guided tours and workshops by appointment (funerary archaeology, ceramics, wattle and daub, metalworking, textiles, weaponry, etc.). The full guided tour of the site lasts 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours. A film presents the history of the excavations. |
