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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The ancient site of Pérennou, located in the commune of Plomelin in Finistère, is a major archaeological complex of the Gallo-Roman period in Brittany. It consists of two main sites: the remains of the ancient thermal baths at the place called Le Pérennou, and those of a Roman villa in Ar Gorré Bodivit, both located on the banks of the Odet, near the Pérennou castle. These remains illustrate the Roman settlement in the region, with typical infrastructures such as public baths and an aristocratic residence, revealing a high standard of living and cultural exchanges with the rest of the Empire.

The thermal baths, dated 1st century AD, were partially excavated in 1833, then in 1889 and 2012. Their structure, including a 16-metre-long balneum with hypocauste, vestibule, caldarium, tepidarium and apodyterium, was decorated with multicoloured marbles and wall paintings. The excavations also uncovered objects such as Albinus stamped pottery and medals with the effigy of Tiberius (14–37 AD) and Victorin (264–268), reflecting a continuing occupation. The villa, excavated in 1834 by Jean-Félix du Marhallac.

The site was acquired by the Finistère Department in 2006 (thermal) and 2008 (adjacent parks), before being listed in the Historical Monuments on June 10, 2020. Part of the artifacts, including mosaics and heating elements, are preserved at the Breton Departmental Museum in Quimper. A Roman way from Civitas Aquilonia (Quimper) to Penmarch crossed Plomelin, confirming the strategic importance of the place. Recent excavations (2020) have also revealed Gallic levels prior to the villa, with monumental postholes and pottery, enriching the understanding of the transition between Iron ages and Roman period in Armoric.

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