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Origin and history

Via Aurelia, or Aurelian Way, is a Roman road built in the third century BC to connect Rome with the Narbonnaise Gaul. Originally traced to Luni (Italy) by the consul Caius Aurelius Cotta in 241 B.C., it was extended to 109 B.C. by Æmilius Scaurus until Genoa, then by the emperor Augustus in 13 B.C. to the river Var via Vintimille, under the name Via Julia Augusta. This section shortened the route to Hispania by avoiding the Montgenèvre pass, facilitating exchanges between Rome and the Gallic provinces.

The route of Via Julia Augusta in France followed a coastal and interior axis, which can be found today by modern roads such as the Grande Corniche or the D17. In Paradou (Bouches-du-Rhône), a Mile Column listed as Monument Historic in 1909 attests to its passage. The route linked key cities such as Cemenelum (Nice), Antipolis (Antibes), Forum Julii (Fréjus), and Aquæ Sextiæ (Aix-en-Provence), before joining Arles (Arelate), where it connected to Via Domitia towards Spain. Remnants such as miles, Roman bridges, and mausoleums (e.g. Lumone, La Turbie) still mark its course.

The Aurelian route was of major strategic and economic importance. It allowed the publicus course (Roman postal service) to travel 70 km a day with horse relays, and also served for medieval pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela or Rome. Today, the GR 653A partially resumes its route, linking Menton to Arles. The protected remains, such as the Paradou Milestone or the Alpine Trophy in La Turbie, testify to its architectural heritage and its role in the Romanization of Provence.

The section near Paradou is part of a dense ancient road network, including Via Domitia and the Agrippa roads. In Saint-Gabriel (near Arles), Via Aurelia crossed these axes, forming an essential crossroads for military trade and travel. Archaeological excavations revealed necropolises, Gallo-Roman villas (e.g. Tourves, Cabasse), and infrastructure such as bridges (e.g. Burlande Bridge) or thermal baths (Cimiez), illustrating the urbanization linked to this route.

The construction of Via Julia Augusta accompanied Roman urban foundations, such as Cemenelum (Nice), created in 14 BC to administer the Alpes-Maritimes. The cities crossed, such as Antipolis (attached in 43 B.C.) or Forum Julii (Fréjus, founded around 49 B.C.), became political, religious and commercial centers. The route also favoured the establishment of legionary veterans, such as in Fréjus (VIIIe Légion) or Arles (VIe Légion), strengthening the Roman presence in Galle Narbonnaise.

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