The Antiques at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

At the edge of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the Antiques are the two monuments that remain visible of a city now buried at the foot of the Alpilles.

The Antiques, remains of a buried city

For centuries, the arch and the mausoleum were the only visible remains of Glanum. The city had disappeared beneath several metres of earth, while these two monuments stood apart at the edge of the buried city.

Around 270, the first waves of Germanic invasions led to Glanum’s destruction and gradual abandonment. Its inhabitants settled a few hundred metres further north and built the village of Saint-Rémy, reusing some of the ancient stones.

The Antiques at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence — Evening light falls on the triumphal arch of the Antiques, at the gates of Saint-Rémy.

The arch, the ancient gateway to the Roman city

The triumphal arch marked the entrance to the Roman city. Its single bay is framed by reliefs: on either side, captive Gauls appear chained, while winged Victories rise above the vault.

Sculpted decoration beneath the vault of Glanum’s triumphal arch — In the vault, hexagonal coffers carved with rosettes and egg-and-dart motifs attest to the arch’s refinement.

The Mausoleum of the Julii

Next to the arch, the mausoleum is a funerary monument dedicated to the Julii family. Its inscription honours several members of the family, while the reliefs on the base evoke combat and military glory. The tholos crowning the monument housed the heroic statues of the deceased.

The bas-reliefs depict hunting and battle scenes inspired by Greek mythology. They give a heroic form to the military career of an ancestor of the Julii during the Gallic Wars, linked to the acquisition of Roman citizenship.

Sculpted relief on the base of the Mausoleum of the Julii at Glanum — On the mausoleum, the sculptures portray heroic combat.

The Buried City Rediscovered

Occupied from the 6th century BCE by the Salyens, Glanum developed around a sacred spring. Greek and then Roman influences transformed the oppidum into an organised city, with residential districts, public spaces and sanctuaries.

Excavations begun in 1921 gradually uncovered Glanum’s districts. The archaeological site can now be explored through the remains of its houses, monumental centre and sacred-spring sanctuary, following the successive stages of the city’s history.

See the Antiques before visiting Glanum

The arch and mausoleum stand at the foot of the Alpilles, beside the road to Les Baux-de-Provence. You can therefore stop to see the Antiques without entering the paid site. The visit then offers the chance to discover the archaeological site as a whole.

From Saint-Rémy to Les Baux, a road through the Alpilles

From Saint-Rémy’s old town, the D5 road to Les Baux reaches Glanum, passing the Antiques on the right, then crosses the Alpilles towards Les Baux-de-Provence. Over just a few kilometres, it links the two sides of the massif.

In Saint-Rémy, the Wednesday market continues the discovery of the town through the animation of its streets and squares. To the west of the Alpilles, Daudet’s mill at Fontvieille and Saint Gabriel Chapel offer two further heritage stops, while Saint Sixte Chapel offers another encounter between Romanesque architecture and the rural landscape.

Practical information

Preparing your visit to the Antiques and Glanum

The Antiques: The arch and mausoleum stand south of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, on the plateau before the entrance to Glanum, on the road to Les Baux-de-Provence.
Visiting Glanum: The archaeological site has its own opening hours, prices and access conditions. Check the official Glanum website before you travel.
Access and parking: The municipal car park is opposite the archaeological site’s entrance. Check parking conditions and any updates before setting off.

Extend your stay

Guest houses to extend the getaway

To extend this discovery, find guest houses in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and the Alpilles.

These properties listed on the Portal are within 25 km as the crow flies of the location featured in this getaway. Visit their websites to plan your stay.