If you decide to spend a few days in that area – for instance near Sens, Dijon, Beaune, Macon and Nevers – bear in mind the MuséoParc d’Alesia, a historical theme park that seems rather peculiar. The Alise Sainte Reine Museum Park was built in 52 BC in the place where a famous battle took place between the Gauls. It was holed up in the fortress of Alesia and the troops of Julius Caesar, who after two months of siege had the better: despite stiff resistance of Vercingetorix the Gaul fell so in Roman hands.
In a year about 150 000 people have visited the place, combining a stop in for a ride in the Abbey of Fontenay and the medieval town of Semur en Auxois. The museum was built in a rather original place, right in the place where they camped the Roman legions: it is a large concrete cylinder covered with wood; which is the seat of the documentation center of the museum, designed by the architect Bernard Tschumi.
This is only the first step, given that in 2016 they will open a real archaeological museum, completely devoted to the Battle of Alesia. Meanwhile, put in mind to spend about 3 hours in the park, including legionaries, Galli, fortifications and fighting life-size simulated.
Finally, before leaving Alesia, go up the hill to visit the remains of the Gallo-Roman town and pay tribute to the enormous statue of Vercingetorix which was built by Napoleon III to celebrate a great French warrior.
If you want to read more about France: Saint Guilhem le Désert | A medieval village in the South of France
By Alba V
