France: MuséoParc Alésia

 We had seen big posters in the metro advertising the MuséoParc Alésia. 

In history class last year, Lillian spent a lot of time studying about the Romans and the Gauls, so we thought it would be cool to go.  It is located deep in the Burgundy countryside, in the Côte-d'Or.  There are green rolling hills scattered with very old and picturesque villages.  I would love to return and to explore the area some more.

I aligned myself with the Romans.  These guys were big and I wanted to be on the winning side.

According to their website:

Alesia is where, in 52 BC, the famous confrontation took place between Julius Caesar’s Roman army and the Gallic tribes led by Vercingetorix.
The summer is drawing to a close and it’s already been six years since Caesar conquered the Gallic territories (the Gallic Wars). Vercingetorix, heading up the Gallic coalition, is trying to halt the advance of the Roman general. After an attack to no avail, Vercingetorix seeks refuge in the oppidum of Alesia, the stronghold of the Mandubii people. The Romans pursue them and launch the siege of the stronghold. They set up their camps on the hillsides around and build two fortification lines with ramparts, towers and traps. The first fortification line, 15 kilometres long, surrounds the oppidum, making it impossible for the Gauls to leave. The second one, 21 kilometres long, protects the Roman camps from the imminent arrival of an immense Gallic relief force. After a long wait, battle is eventually waged on the plain. The Romans are caught between two lines of fire. Projectiles rain down from their war machines and Caesar calls on his legionaries and auxiliary forces, archers, slingers and German cavalry– who deliver the final victory into his hands. Vercingetorix is taken prisoner and carted off to Rome. A year later, in 51 BC, the Gallic War is over, and the Gauls set to become Gallo-Romans.

 We arrived in the late afternoon, and were unable to take advantage of all the park has to offer.  There is a large dig in progress that you can observe, but we simply didn't have the time.  We did have time to catch the last demonstration of Gaul and Roman dress and fighting.

 The museum was finished in 2003 and is well done.  The audio guide is interesting and there are lots of touch screens with detailed information.  I should have taken more photos inside of the museum.

 We drove through a  lovely village and up to the top of a hill to find this famous statue of Vercingetorix.

Again, from the website:
To commemorate the successful completion of the archaeological digs at Alesia, Napoleon III commissioned a gigantic statue of Vercingetorix from the sculptor Aimé Millet. The statue, made of sheet copper and standing 6.60 metres tall, was erected in 1865. The stone pedestal is seven metres tall and was designed by the architect Viollet-le-Duc.
Vercingetorix’s face, inspired by the young Napoleon III, and his attitude express resignation after the defeat. The portrayal is awash with anachronisms, for the pearl necklace is pure fantasy, and the breastplate, sword and straps clasping the breeches belong to other eras ... The end result fits the stereotype disseminated in the 19th and 20th centuries by popular prints and school textbooks: mustachioed Gauls with long hair, wearing winged or horned helmets, with a penchant for war and hunting and living in huts. All misconceptions now brought to light by archaeological finds and analyses of ancient texts.

We got up early the next morning and drove.  We wanted to beat everyone else returning to Paris and to avoid the inevitable crushing traffic jam that goes along with La Rentrée.  It worked.  We made it home early and had time to unpack and relax before Pierre returned to work and the girls returned to school.