Continuous site occupancy Néolithique à haut Moyen Âge (≈ 4100 av. J.-C.)
Human traces before and after the Roman period.
Ier ou IIe siècle apr. J.-C.
Construction of the fanum
Construction of the fanum Ier ou IIe siècle apr. J.-C. (≈ 250)
Gallo-Roman temple built on the coast.
10 octobre 1991
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 10 octobre 1991 (≈ 1991)
Protection of apparent archaeological remains.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Apparent archaeological vestiges, located on the Côtes de Clermont (Box C 1189, 1190): inscription by order of 10 October 1991
Origin and history
The fanum of Blanzat is a Gallo-Roman temple located on the basaltic plateau of the coasts of Clermont, in the commune of Blanzat, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Probably dating from the 1st or 2nd century AD, it was built in the framework of a sanctuary overlooking the ancient city of Augustastonemetum (now Clermont-Ferrand). This site, occupied from the Neolithic period and frequented until the early Middle Ages, reveals notable architectural remains, including a square cella surrounded by a gallery and carved elements, such as a column decorated with bears.
The fanum is part of a continuous occupation of the plateau, marked by a human presence attested from Neolithic time. In the Gallo-Roman era, this type of sanctuary played a central role in the religious and social life of local communities, often associated with syncretic cults mixing Celtic and Roman traditions. The site of Blanzat, with its strategic position overlooking Augustonemetum, could have had both a religious and symbolic function, reflecting the importance of the place in the territorial organization.
The apparent archaeological remains of the fanum were recorded as historical monuments by order of 10 October 1991. This protection recognizes the heritage value of the site, while emphasizing its interest in understanding urbanization and cultural practices in Roman Gaul. The fanum is also mentioned in the research on Gergau's oppidum, although its precise identification remains debated.
The available sources, including the work led by Hélène Dartevelle in the Clermont-Ferrand Topographic Atlas (2021), highlight the archaeological importance of the coasts of Clermont. These studies, combined with data from the Merimée database and field observations, allow the fanum to be located in a wider network of ancient sites around the present-day Clermont-Ferrand. The approximate location of the monument, near the Wolf ravine, is documented by GPS coordinates and an address indicated in the official bases.
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