Visit of La Villa – Museum and archaeological sites in Dehlingen

My review of the La Villa museum in Dehlingen

The La Villa Museum: the profession of archaeologist and Gallo-Roman life

The Museum La Villa is located in the heart of the village of Dehlingen. The building itself is nice as it mixes a 17th-century dwelling with a contemporary extension. The interior of the museum is also modern and very pleasant. The proposed exhibition already allows visitors to discover the profession of archaeologist, by explaining the approach, the equipment and the different techniques used to carry out archaeological excavations. Very interesting!

In addition to these general explanations, a multitude of objects found on the nearby site of Gurtelbach can be discovered during a visit to the Villa and one learns more about what life must have been like on this farm in the north-east of Gaul… Obviously, there are few certainties and many hypotheses, but that is the charm of archaeology. We also learn how the different hypotheses are formulated by the archaeologists.

While the subject might seem a bit obscure at first, the museum visit is truly enlightening: I’ve already visited this museum twice and had the same thought each time—the level of information provided is really good, regardless of the audience (adults or children, who can also do a scavenger hunt to make the visit more fun!).

Enough to learn a lot of things, without being too much to be drowned under too many elements, which allows to come out with clear ideas before approaching the second stage of the visit, the archaeological site itself.

💡 Local tip: start with the museum. I’ve visited it twice and it’s what allows you to then approach the ruins with clear ideas.

4 walking interpretation trails, from La Villa to the Gurtelbach site

The archaeological site of Gurtelbach, where the remains of the Gallo-Roman farm are located, is 1.5 km from the villa. From the Villa, you can reach the site by taking one of the 4 interpretation paths, which allow you to discover the beautiful landscapes of Alsace Bossue:

• On the way with Columelle (1.4 km, about 20 minutes)
• Strolling along the way, theme: smell and taste (1.4 km, about 25 minutes)
• On the way (1.7 km, about 30 minutes)
• All roads lead to Rome (3.5 km, about 30 minutes)

Gurtelbach archaeological site: an augmented reality visit

The remains of the Gurtelbach archaeological site, discovered around 1862 and then gradually forgotten, were rediscovered by chance by a local farmer who was working in his field in 1993. Excavations started the following year and have not stopped since! In addition to a large collection of ancient objects, the following were gradually found:

• 🏠 the foundations of an initial residential building
• 🌾 traces of a building for agricultural use
• 🔨 those of a building dedicated to ironwork craftsmanship

A total built area of 1.5 hectares which, according to the coins found on site, would have been occupied between the 1st century BC. and the 5th century AD.

The visit of the site can be done with a tablet offering augmented reality. By putting the tablet in front of you, you discover what the farm buildings might have looked like and learn more about what the daily life of its inhabitants must have been like via text and audio explanations.

💡 Local tip: the site visit is done with a tablet; check at the museum reception before heading to Gurtelbach.

While I’m not a big fan of virtual or augmented reality in general (not because I’m against the technology, but because I find it doesn’t always add much), I have to say that I was seduced by its use in this setting. The visit of an archaeological site is never easy for a non-initiated person: it is hard to imagine what were the ruins that we have in front of us! With the tablet, the ruins immediately take on another dimension: augmented reality makes them easier to read and the visit becomes both more fun and instructive!

If the visit makes you want to explore this site further, you should know that the excavations are still going on! Classes and groups of archaeology students are regularly welcomed to excavate in real conditions and a summer camp about archaeology is even organized every year. You might be lucky enough to find a new antique object…

Gallo-Roman garden: crops and flavors of Antiquity

Right next to the ruins is an experimental garden, the Gallo-Roman garden. The idea of this garden is to list the species cultivated in the region during the Gallo-Roman era to study the farming and diet of that time and thus rediscover certain ancient flavors. You will find:

• 🌱 cereals
• 🫘 legumes
• 🌿 aromatic and medicinal plants

Animations are regularly organized on the theme of food, sometimes allowing to taste some dishes dating from that time! I’ve already tested it, it’s very nice to do. Find tours and events on the La Villa website.

Key takeaways for visiting La Villa

• 🏛️ The museum to understand the profession of archaeologist before heading into the field
• 🥽 The augmented reality tablet to read the Gurtelbach remains
• 🮾 4 trails to reach the site on foot
• 🌿 The Gallo-Roman garden and its events
• 🚗 A car is recommended; check opening days before you go

To extend your day in Alsace Bossue, check out my boat trip on the Saar.

Frequently asked questions about visiting La Villa in Dehlingen