Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The archaeological site of the Verrerie de Trinquetaille, acquired by the City of Arles in 1978, has been the subject of excavations since the 1980s and from 2013 onwards by the Departmental Museum of Ancient Arles and INRAP. This research brought to light dwellings dating from the 1st century BC to the 3rd century BC, including a Roman domus from the middle of the 1st century BC, adorned with painted decorations of the 2nd pumpkin style, rare in Gaul. The quality of frescoes, such as that of a harpist on a vermilion background, suggests the intervention of Italian artisans for an easy sponsor.

The partially excavated domus (105 m2) included an atrium with impluvium, rooms with decorated floors (inlaid concrete, mosaics) and hypocaust heating systems. A major mosaic, the Aion (late 2nd century), now exposed to the departmental museum, symbolizes the renewal of the seasons. The site, classified as Historic Monument in 1953, was abandoned after a violent destruction in the third century. The excavations, closed in 2019, have given way to a third cultural place focused on eco-responsibility and the enhancement of heritage.

The remains attest to a continuous Roman occupation, marked by luxurious residences (marble bassins, fountains) reflecting the high social status of their owners. The location on the right bank of the Rhone, in the ancient Arelate, confirms the strategic and economic importance of Arles during antiquity. The site also illustrates the cultural exchanges between Rome and the provinces, via imported artistic techniques, such as pumpkin frescoes. Today, the 4,000 m2 garden and landscape rehabilitation projects integrate this heritage into contemporary life.

The head of the excavations, Marie-Pierre Rothe (archaeologist, CD13-MDAA), led the operations with Julien Boislève (toichographologist, Inrap) and Alain Genot (archaeologist, CD13-MDAA). Their work has documented unique architectural elements, such as tiles decorated with palmettes or the clay floors of the gallery atrium. These discoveries shed light on the lifestyles of Arlesian elites, between Italian influences and local adaptations.

The 1953 classification protects a plot of 362,40 m2 between the streets of the Four-Banal and Cuiratiers, now managed by the association Towards a third place in the countries of Arles. This project combines heritage preservation and social innovation, transforming an archaeological site into a meeting place around tangible and intangible heritages. The approximate address (9 Robespierre Street) would be located in a historic area, although geographical accuracy remains limited (level 5/10 according to Monumentum).

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