Vieux-Poitiers, Archaeological site in Naintré and Cenon-sur-Vienne, France.
Vieux-Poitiers is a Roman settlement situated on open ground between two rivers, where the ruins of a large circular theater dominate the landscape. The site also contains residential areas and other structures from Roman times scattered across the flat terrain.
The settlement, initially called Briva, developed along a major Roman road and became an economic center during the first centuries after Christ. It gradually declined as Roman rule weakened.
The theater served as a gathering place where people from across the region came together for performances and games. This central venue shaped the social life of the ancient community, and its architecture reveals how important public assembly was to the inhabitants.
The site is openly accessible and best visited during warmer months when paths are dry and vegetation is visible. Sturdy footwear is essential, as the terrain is uneven and shade is scarce.
Beneath the ground lie portions of a Roman merchant network that connected to distant Mediterranean regions. Some objects discovered there originated from lands hundreds of kilometers away.
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