Archéodrome de Beaune, Archaeological museum in Merceuil, France.
The Archéodrome de Beaune was an open-air archaeological museum in Merceuil displaying reconstructed ancient settlements and fortifications across several hectares of outdoor space. The site featured replicas of Neolithic dwellings, Roman defensive structures from the Alésia siege conflict, and Gallic farm buildings representing different construction periods.
The museum was founded in 1978 through a partnership between the Autoroutes Paris-Rhin-Rhône highway company and Burgundy's regional archaeology service. The facility operated for approximately 25 years before closing in 2005, ending a significant chapter in the region's public archaeology education.
The site displayed replicas of Gallo-Roman dwellings, farms, and fortifications that showed how people lived and worked across different periods in the region. Visitors could see how building styles and settlement patterns evolved to reflect the daily needs of both common people and military communities.
The museum sat directly beside the A6 highway, making it a convenient stop during longer drives through the region. The outdoor layout required visitors to walk across open grounds, so appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather conditions were advisable.
During its operation, staff members conducted practical workshops demonstrating ancient pottery techniques and traditional grain cultivation methods. These hands-on sessions gave visitors direct experience with the physical skills and labor that shaped daily life in prehistoric and Roman times.
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