At Genainville, in the heart of the French Vexin, the gallo-roman sanctuary of the Vaux-de-la-Celle stands as one of those sites that recall the region’s ancient past. This exceptional archaeological site preserves traces of an old gallo-roman settlement with impressive remains. Discovered in 1935, then classified as a Monuments historiques, it continues to be studied by archaeologists today. The place is not merely a backdrop of ancient stones: it is an active field of research that helps us better understand human occupation of the Vexin over a very long period.
Because the history of Vaux-de-la-Celle isn’t confined to the Roman era. The site appears to have been inhabited as far back as the Iron Age, including a Gaulish necropolis, before it experienced significant growth under the Roman Empire. This place spans more than a thousand years of local history, from the Gaulish period through the Merovingian era.
Here lie the ruins of a Gallo-Roman sanctuary made up of a temple, basins and an entertainment building. The temple is notable for its two cellae, the sacred chambers where the honored deities stood. The cult may have been linked to Mercury and Rosmerta, a Gaulish goddess associated with abundance.
The sight of monumental basins suggests that water played a central role in the site’s ritual practices. Added to this are decorative elements, carved fragments, and traces of wall paintings—clues that reveal the sanctuary’s wealth when it was in use.
The site also houses a performance venue, commonly described as an ancient theatre. In Genainville, people didn’t come only for religious rites: the place was also meant to be a meeting point and a hub of sociability. Some remains hint at a space capable of hosting a large crowd, in a markedly livelier mood than the tranquil vale that characterizes the valley today.
This interplay between temple, water and spectacle is invaluable for understanding daily life and religious practice in Roman Gaul. It shows how a sanctuary could function as a site of worship, a communal gathering space, and a defining landmark across the region.
Today, the Vaux-de-la-Celle site stands as a cornerstone of archaeology in Île-de-France, and a bit of good news for curious visitors: you can tour the site by contacting APSAGe, L’Association pour la Promotion du Site Archéologique de Genainville. Moreover, part of the artifacts discovered on site is kept at the Musée archéologique du Val d’Oise, in Guiry-en-Vexin, where two galleries are devoted to the Gallo‑Roman site of Genainville.
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Dates and Opening Time
From June 5, 2026 to December 31, 2027
Location
Gallo-Roman Sanctuary of Vaux-de-la-Celle
Rue de Champagne
95420 Genainville
