Champlieu

Champlieu is a Roman archaeological site in Orrouy with remains of a temple, theater, and bathing facilities spread across the grounds. The ruins reveal how different functions were organized within a single Roman settlement.

The settlement developed in ancient times and remained active for roughly 500 years before Roman power in the region declined. Its location on a major Roman road made it an important commercial and administrative hub.

The site shows how Romans gathered for entertainment and leisure in this region, with spaces built for bathing and watching performances. Walking through reveals how central these public spaces were to community life.

The site is freely accessible year-round and offers information through a smartphone app for self-guided exploration. Wear comfortable shoes as you walk over uneven ground among the scattered remains.

A medieval church building stands amid the Roman ruins, constructed centuries after the settlement was abandoned. This layering of different periods in one location tells a story of how places transform over time.