The discovery of a bath building in Reims / Durocortorum (northern France), the former capital of Gallia Belgica, was recently annouced.

The baths, located under the garden of the Musée des Beaux-Arts in the centre of the city, were composed of several rooms, including a frigidarium, a ‘laconicum’ (identified based on its shape, circular with four segmental niches) and a colonnaded open space, possibly a palaestra, at least 20 m in length; such dimensions do suggest a public function. Numerous fragments of decorated wall painting were also discovered.

This video (in French) presents the recent results of the excavation.

Another bath building, probably publicly-accessible, was brought to light nearly a century ago under the nearby cathedral.

The excavations, started in 2023 and led by the Service Archéologie du Grand Reims, are part of a project of refurbishment and extension of the museum, with the consequence that the baths will eventually be destroyed to allow the completion of the works.

Pictures credits: Daniel Samulczyk / France Télévisions // Grand Reims

For all technical, bath-related terms, see the BATH glossary.