Oppidum de l'Impernal, human settlement in France
Oppidum de l'Impernal is a fortified ancient settlement perched on a hillside overlooking the Lot valley in southern France. The site contains wall remains from multiple periods, temple ruins, and an archaeological garden with information paths marking past excavations.
The oppidum was first settled in the late Iron Age over 2,000 years ago and later expanded during the Gallo-Roman period. Inhabitants gradually built multiple defensive walls and continued occupying the site until the third century CE.
The name Impernal reflects the Gallo-Roman heritage visible across the site today. Visitors can observe the remains of temples and residential structures that reveal how ancient inhabitants blended Celtic and Roman traditions in their daily life.
Access is provided through a parking area near the Archaeological Garden, where visitors walk marked trails approximately 600 meters long. Comfortable shoes are needed, and guided tours are typically offered from mid-June through mid-September by reservation.
A remarkable feature is the discovery of temples visible at the site, which are rare for the region. These religious structures reveal that the settlement served not only as a fortress but also as a spiritual center for surrounding communities.
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