Musée Les Sources d'Hercule

About the museum

The Les Sources d'Hercule museum presents the Gallo-Roman sanctuary of Deneuvre, near Baccarat. In 1974 a farmer digging a well came across a fragment of a column. This led to twelve years of excavations, until 1984, carried out by the Société d'archéologie de Deneuvre under Gérard Moitrieux. The site was first Celtic and then became a prosperous Roman vicus, destroyed in the 5th century.

The excavations uncovered around a hundred statues and fragments depicting Hercules, stone basins and many small objects. It is the largest concentration of representations of Hercules found in the Roman West, and the most important spring sanctuary dedicated to this god in Gaul. Pilgrims came to bathe in the water of the springs and left votive offerings when their prayers had been answered.

Opened in 1996, the museum offers a 400 m² route that follows the footsteps of the pilgrims, with original statues and a reconstruction of the sanctuary. It is run by the Communauté de communes du Territoire de Lunéville à Baccarat and holds the “Musée de France” label.

Highlights

• Largest concentration of representations of Hercules in the Roman West
• Reconstruction of the spring sanctuary
• 400 m² route following in the footsteps of the pilgrims
• Original statues, stone basins and votive offerings
• Site discovered by chance in 1974

Permanent exhibition

• Le sanctuaire de sources dédié à Hercule – 400 m² route with original statues, votive offerings and a reconstruction of the Gallo-Roman sanctuary of Deneuvre.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Communauté de communes du Territoire de Lunéville à Baccarat

Visitors per year

approx. 6,548

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Events & venue rental

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