A great nights sleep - in fact we slept a little later than we had planned. The sun was up early but another cool breeze kept the heat at bay for a while. We had breakfast and set out on a walk to the Grand Place (market place) in Bavay where we found the usual Saturday morning activity taking place. A block away from the centre of the village lay the unearthed Roman forum, part of the large Roman city that existed here over 2000 years ago. We followed the signs to this intriguing archeological site, where we were surprised that we could walk around the site.
The forum, from the 1st century, was uncovered by the 1940 bombing that destroyed the buildings covering it. Several hot bath structures (hypocausts) had been found under the church, and under some houses, signifying important baths - perhaps public baths.
The Romans built the largest forum outside Italy right here in the town - it was a gigantic public building, 200 metres long by120 metres wide. Archaeologists found the complete foundations of a basilica - the Roman "town hall", an underground gallery, and porticos of other buildings - making it one of the best finds of Roman remains in France.
Bavay was an important administrative town for the Romans once Caesar had gained control of the area. It was a centre where Roman roads connecting the seaport of Boulonge-sur-Mer with the German province in Trier. The large Roman town was built around this crossroad.
An artists impression of what it may have looked like gives you a glimpse of the magnitude and the importance of the site.
We later walked back through the Grande-Place where the 17th century column of Brunehaut dominates square.
We later returned to the van where we had parked just under the old medieval town’s defensive perimeter wall.
We left for our next stop in Grenay, a town we had visited at the beginning of our travels in Europe. It is a very pleasant park with great opportunity for shade - and relaxation. Perhaps we could spend a couple of days here!
