Butte Saint-Antoine

From the end of the Republican era, the Butte played a crucial role in the establishment of the city. It also proved essential to the construction of the ancient port. This port proved decisive for Roman domination over the region.

Thus, the Butte Saint-Antoine combines both historical richness and a link with the evolution of Fréjus, thus offering a unique perspective.

The first traces of Roman occupation on the Butte Saint-Antoine date from the end of the 40s BC. Indeed, archaeological excavations have revealed an organized habitat, dated 45-44 BC, a period corresponding to the founding of Forum Julii (Fréjus).

These discoveries confirm that the Forum and the first urban structures were located on this hill, away from the future urban center.

Furthermore, the presence of modest dwellings, with the exception of a more opulent house of Italian influence, testifies to the gradual settlement of the first Roman inhabitants. From 27-25 BC, the area underwent a radical transformation.

In fact, an enclosure is built and embankments support a monumental administrative complex, probably a praetorium. This site serves to administer the region and supervise port activities.

Thus, it plays a central role in Roman naval operations and marks a decisive stage in the history of Fréjus.

The installation of a small group of houses, intended for the Roman military, marks the beginning of permanent occupation. In 10 BC, under the reign of Augustus, the Romans launched major earthworks.

These works aim to build a colossal administrative building. Thus, the Romans build a massive retaining wall to maintain the structure.

In addition, they installed a sophisticated drainage system to prevent the accumulation of water. These developments demonstrate Roman ingenuity in the organization of the territory.

The Butte Saint-Antoine, listed as a historical monument since 1886, has benefited from a spectacular renovation that highlights the remains of each historical period it has crossed. Thanks to the work carried out, under the direction of the Archaeology Department of the City of Fréjus, it is now possible to contemplate the traces of the Roman foundation, but also the remains of the Middle Ages and the Second World War, a period when the hill was occupied by the Italian and German armies, who installed bunkers and blockhouses there.

This renovation has made it possible to create a pedestrian and cycle route, complete with interactive information panels translated into several languages, to enable visitors to better understand the strategic and historical importance of the site.

This restoration project, which should continue with the rehabilitation of the south-eastern face of the hill, promises to make this site an essential place for discovering the history of Fréjus through the ages.

The Butte Saint-Antoine is much more than just an archaeological site. It is a living witness to the history of Fréjus. This city, whose strategic importance has been built over the centuries, finds its reflection in this place.

From the Roman foundation to the medieval occupation and the Second World War, each era has left its mark. Indeed, this promontory has crossed the centuries and today preserves the traces of these crucial moments.

Fréjus strives to preserve these remains to pay tribute to its past. In this way, the city offers future generations a unique framework for remembrance. This allows visitors to connect with the history of Fréjus, a city that has known how, since Antiquity, to combine politics, strategy and cultural heritage.