Vindunum, Archaeological site in Le Mans, France

Vindunum is an archaeological site north of Le Mans with ancient remains including temple structures, roads, and underground passages. The site spreads across two hectares and shows multiple construction phases from the Roman period.

The site functioned as a religious center from the first to third centuries AD, with successive temple construction across the location. Unstable ground conditions forced repeated rebuilding of these structures over time.

The site reflects layers of Gallic, Celtic, and Roman occupation visible through coins, ornaments, and pottery left behind. These artifacts show how different peoples coexisted and influenced each other at this location.

The site is located north of Le Mans in Neuville-sur-Sarthe and features numbered markers and mapped paths for navigation. These guides help visitors move through the excavations and understand the layout of ancient structures.

The name Vindunum is Celtic, from vindo- (white, bright, with a sense of the sacred) and dunum (citadel, fortified enclosure, mount), so it reads as "the white citadel", understood as "the sacred citadel". The form Vindinon is attested in the 2nd century BC, and Ptolemy later records Vindunum. A milestone of Roman road XVI, found 500 m south of Vaas, carries the name Vindinium.