The archaeological site of Cherré is located in the town of Aubigné-Racan, in the Sarthe, 27 km east of La Flèche.
On the right bank of the Loir, it brings together two entities. On a spur, there is a necropolis composed of megaliths and sheltering graves and ritual weapons depots dating for the oldest from the Bronze Age (which begins around - 3000). It seems to have lasted until the Gallic era.
In addition, under Roman Antiquity, nearby but below, a complex was built from the first century of our era on several tens of hectares including places of worship, commerce and entertainment (amphitheater 3000 places, thermal baths). However, although important, this Roman pole which ceased to be active in the 4th century was not permanently inhabited (no remains of roads or dwellings as such).
It seems that later, in the Middle Ages, Roman constructions were dismantled so that their materials could be used to build Romanesque churches for example…
Recognized as an archaeological site in the 19th century, the whole was not the object of excavations in the scientific sense of the term only from 1976.
The site is now protected as historical monuments and belongs to the Sarthe department which also has sensitive surrounding natural areas.
A path for the public, with appropriate signage and accessible to all audiences, has been laid out over 15 hectares to observe the remains of this important Roman center.
Open all year round. Free access. Information on +33 2 43 54 71 07.
