Knowledge & culture

Roman museum in Avenches

The most important finds from the Roman town of Avenches

The museum is located in the 12th century fortified tower built over the Roman arena. The mosaics and reliefs depict the history of Aventicum, its Romanisation and the private lives of the Helvetians. The pride of the collection is a gold bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius discovered in 1939 in a sewer at the foot of the Cigognier sanctuary.

The Roman museum is devoted exclusively to Aventicum, the Roman capital of the Helvetians. In Roman times, this city had 20,000 inhabitants—a number it was never able to reach again in its later history. Aventicum was surrounded by a defensive wall 5.5 km in length, with four gates. There were 73 towers leading up to the battlements.

You can travel comfortably to Avenches with the train. The Roman museum is just a few minutes' walk from the station.

Availability Today (Thursday) open

Museum opening hours

1 November 2023 to 31 January 2024
Wed–Sun 14.00–17.00 hours

1 February to 31 March 2024
Tue–Sun 14.00–17.00 hours

1 April to 31 May 2024
Tue–Sun 10.00–17.00 hours

1 to 30 June 2024
Mon–Sun 10.00–17.00 hours

1 July to 30 September 2024
Tue–Sun 10.00–17.00 hours

Open on Easter Monday and Whit Monday
Closed: 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 and 2 January

Subject to change without prior notice

Rates

Admission to the museum is free for all visitors. Please check the museum's website for current prices.

Price Roman museum

CHF 100.00 Guided tour of the Roman museum per group
CHF 125.00 Guided tour of the Roman site per group

Food & Drink

Avenches offers all kinds of catering options:

BLS suggestion

Combine your visit to the Roman Museum with a tour of the old town of Avenches.
On a 1.5 km route accessible to all, discover the buildings and unusual places that have marked the town's history since the Middle Ages.

The tour starts in the town center, in front of the Tourist Office.