The ancient theatre of Cadayrac, located in Salles-la-Source in Aveyron, is a Gallo-Roman building dating from the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.Implemented in a natural depression of Causse Comtal, near the hamlet of Cadayrac, it could accommodate about 2000 spectators. Its location, about fifteen kilometers from Rodez, makes it a rare example of theatre integrated into a sanctuary agglomeration in southwestern France. Its state of conservation is remarkable, as the site was very little searched before the 19th century, thus preserving its archaeological authenticity.
The first investigations were conducted in the 1860s by Abbé Ceres, but it was only between 1996 and 1998 that extensive stratigraphic surveys were carried out by Jean-Emmanuel Guilbaut, an engineer of studies in the regional archaeology department. This work allowed for a precise cut of the theatre and further analysis of its structure. The monument, classified by order of November 19, 2015, includes not only the visible remains, but also the soil and basement of the plot, highlighting its heritage importance.
The rarity of ancient theatres in this region reinforces the historical and archaeological interest of Cadayrac. Unlike other sites, its location in a context of agglomeration sanctuary offers unique perspectives to understand Gallo-Roman cultural and religious practices. Despite a GPS location deemed "passable" (note 5/10), the site remains a valuable testimony of urban planning and leisure in late antiquity.
