Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Saint-Germain Mile is a historic monument located in the eponymous village of Ardèche (region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). From the Roman era, this terminal was used to mark distances along communication routes. Today it is at the crossroads of the old road from Saint-Germain to La Villedieu and the road from Alba to Voguë, integrated into the local landscape as a historical and geographical landmark.

The boundary was officially recognized for its heritage value by an inscription to historic monuments on October 8, 1935. This classification protects a composite object: the mile mark itself, topped later by a road cross, symbol of medieval or modern reappropriation of ancient remains. Owned by the commune of Saint-Germain, it illustrates the superposition of periods and uses on the same place.

From an archaeological point of view, this terminal is part of the network of Roman milliarias, essential milestones for travellers and merchants of ancient times. In Ardèche, a region marked by secondary roads linking the Rhône to the Cevennes, these terminals facilitated the administration and control of the territory. Their rare preservation makes them valuable witnesses of Roman infrastructure in Garbonnaise Gaul, although their precise dating and sponsor often remain unknown.

Available sources, such as the Mérimée base or the Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum (reference CIL 17-02, 00191), document its current location at approximately 280 Rue de la Borne Miliaire. Its state of conservation and exact location (estimated at 5/10 on Monumentum) highlight the challenges of preserving small monuments in rural areas. There is no information on whether the site is accessible to the public or integrated into a tourist trail.

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