Musée romain de Nyon

About the museum

As early as the 18th century, scholars took an interest in the Roman finds turning up in cellars and underground in Nyon. In 1860, at the suggestion of Théodore Wellauer, a museum of local history was founded that collected Roman objects and was soon housed in the castle. From the 1930s Edgar Pelichet, later curator and cantonal archaeologist, researched Roman Nyon in the field.

In 1974 the foundations of the forum basilica, built in the second half of the 1st century AD, were uncovered. The town of Nyon decided to make this exceptional structure the shell of a new museum. It opened in September 1979 and has since served two purposes: it protects the ancient monument and displays the local collections.

The exhibition design makes the basilica foundations easy to read: display cases hang freely in the space, cornices and capitals appear to float, and the excavation floor is kept free of furniture. On the museum roof, different ground colours and concrete bases trace the floor plan and the presumed locations of the columns; there stands a copy of a statue of Julius Caesar and a garden of plants that the Romans already cultivated in the region.

The house belongs to the Service de la culture of the town of Nyon and is recognised by the Canton of Vaud as the responsible body for Roman finds in the district of Nyon. The exhibitions combine original finds, models and digital media with films and 3D reconstructions.

Highlights

• Museum in the foundations of Nyon’s Roman forum basilica
• Finds from the Colonia Iulia Equestris and the town of Noviodunum
• Models, films and 3D reconstructions
• Roof terrace with the basilica’s floor plan, a Caesar statue and a Roman garden
• Additional offer: tours to Nyon’s Roman amphitheatre

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung zur römischen Stadt Noviodunum – In the foundations of the basilica, the museum shows original finds, models and digital reconstructions of life in the Roman Colonia Iulia Equestris.

Founded

1979

Operated by

Stadt Nyon, Service de la culture

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission for everyone on the first Sunday of every month

The admission price is a combined ticket: one admission to each of Nyon’s three museums (Musée romain, Musée du Léman, Château de Nyon), valid for 12 months. Free admission also for the Amis des Musées de Nyon and partners. Card payment possible; euro notes are accepted, with change given in francs.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Holiday programme “Vacances à la romaine”, Journées romaines, Dimanches découverte and children’s birthday parties at the museum; school programmes from age 6, such as “C’est qui Jules César?” for 6- to 8-year-olds and archaeological investigations with real objects.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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