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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Rochemaure Milestone is a Gallo-Roman monument located in the municipality of the same name, in Ardèche. Originally, it was placed at the Lauze Cross, on the Roman way of Antonin-le-Pieux connecting Nimes to Valencia via Alba-la-Romane. This type of terminal was used to indicate distances along Empire roads, facilitating military and commercial travel.

In the 18th century, the terminal left its original location after having gone down a slope, before being saved by the Marquis of Joviac, an ancient art lover whose nearby castle still remains. Forgotten then rediscovered in the 19th century, it was first installed in the garden of Privas prefecture, then in the courtyard of the local high school. Since 1999, it has been preserved in the Notre-Dame-des-Anges chapel of Rochemaure, while a copy of it is in front of the town hall.

Ranked a historic monument in 1903, this pillar illustrates Roman engineering and modern preservation efforts. It also reflects the evolution of heritage practices, from private collections (Marquis de Joviac) to public management (prefecture, high school, chapel). Sources such as the Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum (CIL 17-02, 00180) and the Merimée base document its history, while an approximate GPS location (581 Chemin du Château) allows it to be located today.

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