The Oppidum of Ensérune
A pre-Roman village between Béziers and Narbonne
An Iron Age village
The oppidum of Ensérune is an archaeological site containing the remains of an ancient Gallic village. This national monument is located on a hill in Nissan-lez-Enserune, in the department of Herault. An oppidum is a large fortified Iron Age hill town.
This village was occupied between the 6th century BC (Iron Age) and the 1st century AD. It was located close to the Roman road, the Via Domitia, overlooked the lake at Montady and was surrounded by furtile land.
Museum
The oppidum of Ensérune went through phases. It started as a Greek trading post, then became a Gallic hill fort. It was quite prosperous after the Roman invasion before falling into obscurity.
The museum on the site displays Gallic, Roman, Greek and Spanish pottery, tools and other archeological finds and gives information on the history of the oppidum of Ensérune.
Visiting the oppidum of Ensérune
Le Fort Pouzols-Minervois to the oppidum of Ensérune is a 30-minute (19 miles, 30 km) drive towards Béziers. For entry fees, opening hours and directions, visit www.enserune.fr.
Below the oppidum is the spectacular Étang de Montady, a former swamp drained by monks in the 13th century. It is now a huge circle of wedge-shaped fields separated by radial irrigation ditches that converge in the centre. From there it was drained many kilometres away through underground pipes.
Book your stay at Le Fort Pouzols-Minervois
Le Fort Pouzols-Minervois is a great base for exploring the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
Book your stay today on any of these great websites or directly with us.
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