Period of occupancy Ier-IVe siècle (≈ 450)
A peak of the Gallo-Roman villa.
1970
Site discovery
Site discovery 1970 (≈ 1970)
First identification of archaeological remains.
1975-1990
Archaeological excavations
Archaeological excavations 1975-1990 (≈ 1983)
Major updating campaigns.
26 novembre 1984
Registration MH
Registration MH 26 novembre 1984 (≈ 1984)
Protection for historical monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Gallo-Roman villa (vestiges) (cad. A 2594, 2595) : entry by order of 26 November 1984
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any historical actors.
Origin and history
The Gallo-Roman villa of Gilly-sur-Isère is a major archaeological site located in the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Discovered in 1970, it was thoroughly searched between 1975 and 1990, revealing the remains of an aristocratic dwelling typical of the Gallo-Roman period. The site is part of the ancient agglomeration of Gilly, developed along the Roman way from Vienna to Milan via the Pass du Petit-Saint-Bernard, a strategic axis for military trade and travel.
The villa, owned by the municipality of Gilly-sur-Isère, was registered as a historical monument by order of 26 November 1984. Its location, at 60 Allée Gallo-Romane, corresponds to an area of privileged habitat in Roman times, reflecting the economic and social importance of this area under Roman domination. The preserved, though partial, remains offer a valuable testimony of the domestic architecture and lifestyles of the Gallo-Roman elites in Savoie.
The site is now permanently accessible, allowing visitors to discover this ancient heritage. The excavations revealed characteristic elements of Roman villæ, such as mosaics, hypocaust heating systems, and agricultural structures, illustrating the romanization of this part of the Alps. The inscription in the title of historical monuments underlines its heritage value, both for local history and for the understanding of road networks and human settlements in the Alps during antiquity.
