Jardin de Cybèle

You’ve now arrived at the Cybèle archaeological garden, where most of the impressive remnants visible today are classified as Historic Monuments. Located right in the heart of Vienne, this garden features ruins of the antique buildings that made up the Roman forum in the 1st century AC. At the time the forum was the city’s main square and the center of economic, political and social life. It was here that religious festivals, political speeches, gladiator fights took place – in short, all the events that animated the city. The remaining walls also reveal living quarters, a roofless room likely used for meetings, and the arches of a grand portico—probably one of the forum entrances—showing how impressive the site must have been. Thanks to archaeological excavations, many ancient objects have been found in the garden : coins, weights, needles and even glass and ceramic bracelets. All of these artifacts attest of the long presence of the Romans on this land, and fascinate visitors as some of the objects are over 2,000 years old ! A pleasant park in an ideal location, the Jardin de Cybèle is very popular among locals, especially during the Jazz à Vienne festival, which takes place every year between June and July. Every year, free concerts are held at this venue that stood the test of time !