Orbe roman mosaics

In 170 A.D., there was an imposing Roman villa on this site in Orbe. The mosaic floors that were in 9 of the about 100 rooms of this prestigious dwelling are now protected by four pavilions open to visitors from Easter to the end of October. Get more out of your visit with a tablet or ask for a guide.

Discovered in the mid-19th century north of the town of Orbe in the Yverdon-les-Bains region, the mosaics used to adorn the most important rooms in the villa. Made of naturally coloured stones, they depict gods, trompe l’œil geometric shapes or figurative scenes of Greek mythology, such as the famous labyrinth of Theseus and the Minotaur.

Although it is still not known who owned the villa, the luxurious decoration of this huge dwelling (230 m by 90-110 m) would suggest that he was very wealthy and enjoyed a luxurious life style.

Between 1986 and 2004, the Boscéaz site was an educational site for archaeology students at Lausanne University. These digs led to the discovery of a 9th mosaic, a mithraeum (place of worship dedicated to the god Mithra) and a spa.

• INFORMATION

  Office du tourisme d'Orbe et environs
  Grand-Rue 1
  CP 164
  1350 Orbe - CH
  
  Tel : +41 24 442 92 37
  
  tourisme@orbe.chhttps://www.yverdonlesbainsregion.ch

• Practical information

  Guided tour and special opening for groups: Please contact the tourist office

• Links

  Orbe roman mosaics
  

• Prices

  Individual

  Adult

  CHF 10.-

  Adult (group)

  CHF 8.-

  Child/Student/Senior

  CHF 8.-

  Child/Student/Senior (group)

  CHF 6.-

  School group

  CHF 4.-

  Family

  CHF 25.-

  One-parent family

  CHF 15.-

  
  
  

  Guided tour (20 pers./guide)

  Per guide (+ entrance)

  CHF 115.-