Archaeologists in the French city of Fréjus unearthed a Roman domus (house), marble basin and remains of a monumental structure which could have been part of an ancient temple or sanctuary.
The finds were made during archaeological excavations on Rue Aubenas (opposite the Aulézy nursery school) in the historic centre of Fréjus (Var department, southeast France).
The excavations are being carried out by municipal archaeologists as part of an ongoing investigation into the urban development of Forum Julii (the Roman settlement under the modern city).
“The excavations are giving new information about the layout and occupation of this important Roman urban centre,” says Pierre Excoffon, director of City of Fréjus archaeological service.
Possible Roman temple uncovered
One of the most significant discoveries is the remains of a monumental complex situated near the intersection of the cardo maximus and decumanus maximus, the principal north–south and east–west streets of the Roman city.
These thoroughfares formed the central framework of Roman urban planning, connecting important public, religious and residential buildings.
Archaeologists suggest that the monumental remains may represent a temple or sanctuary, although the identification remains provisional pending further investigation.
The structure’s prominent position within the ancient street network suggests that it may have played an important role in the civic or religious landscape of Forum Julii.
Further archaeological analysis will be required to establish the building’s original function, architectural arrangement and relationship with the surrounding urban quarter.
Roman domus and marble basin
Excavations near the monumental complex have also revealed a fully exposed Roman domus, providing evidence of domestic architecture in the ancient city.
The residence opened directly onto the cardo maximus and was organised around an atrium, a central space that served as a focal point for domestic activities and provided access to adjoining rooms.
Among the surviving architectural features are a coloured concrete floor and a marble basin, offering insights into the decorative elements and internal arrangement of the property.
The discoveries provide archaeologists with an opportunity to examine how residential buildings were organised alongside the principal streets of Forum Julii.
Preliminary observations also suggest that the surrounding residential quarter may have contained two or three separate houses, although further excavation is necessary to establish the extent and arrangement of these properties.
Uncovering the Roman city of Forum Julii
Forum Julii was an important Roman settlement in the province of Gallia Narbonensis, developing into a significant urban and maritime centre during the Roman period.
The modern city of Fréjus preserves an extensive archaeological heritage, including the remains of an amphitheatre, aqueduct and other monumental structures associated with its Roman past.
The latest excavations form part of an ongoing programme of archaeological research in the city centre that began in spring 2026.
During the European Archaeology Days in June, one of the city’s excavation sites was opened to the public, allowing visitors to observe the work of municipal archaeologists and learn more about the surviving remains of the ancient settlement.
Investigations on Rue Aubenas are continuing, with archaeologists seeking to establish the nature of the possible sanctuary and reconstruct the layout of the adjoining residential quarter.
The findings are expected to contribute to a more detailed understanding of the urban development of Forum Julii and the organisation of the Roman city, much of which remains preserved beneath modern Fréjus.
Sources : VAR ACTU
