Camp celtique de la Bure

La Bure classified as a historic monument. As far back as the Final Neolithic, 4,000 years ago, the Bure promontory welcomed its first inhabitants. Stone tools in the Pierre-Noël Museum bear witness to this. But it was mainly from the 1st century BC to the middle of the 4th century AD that La Bure was organized as an entrenched camp, sheltered behind walls. Huts and places of worship were built, and craft activities complemented the agricultural and pastoral economy.

Excavations carried out between 1964 and 1986 revealed the camp's main interest and wealth, making it the 2nd most important archaeological site in the Vosges department. The site features a murus gallicus (1st century BC), one of the few still visible in eastern France. Beams reinforce the cohesion of the 7.50m-wide drystone masonry. A later ditch, dug at the front with a pointerolle, isolates the camp from the rest of the mountain (barred spur technique). The perimeter rampart (late 3rd century, mid 4th century A.D.) can still be seen for half of its length (around 350m). It supports the natural defences provided by the rocky peaks surrounding La Bure.

Several gates give access to the camp, in particular a fairly well-preserved one to the north, coming from a path that has preserved its paving over a few meters. Sheltered behind this defensive system, the Gauls, now Gallo-Romans, observed movements in the valleys below. Don't miss the viewpoint at the north-western end of the camp!

In several places, cult basins, probably also water reservoirs, were dug. See those dedicated to Dianes and Taranis. In addition to funeral rites, stelae casts reveal the blacksmith's trade, housing and cults. The Pierre Noël Museum is the place to discover the objects themselves and to complete, around a model, the reconstruction of Antiquity in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges and the surrounding region. Steles, coins, tools, jewelry, ceramics and sculptures truly recreate the Gallo-Roman world, i.e. the blending of Celtic forms and traditions in the Vosges mountains with Roman contributions.

Guided tours are available. Information from the Tourist Office.

DATAtourisme France