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Yourhistoryguide Traveller, history buff, and diarist of ancient Europe. Exploring the lesser seen places, forgotten antiquities and stories hiding beyond the tourist trail.
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No AI images … only real places, real history, captured in person.

15/10/2026

Those who have been following me for a while know that I love a jumble of ancient stones, and I was in for a treat at the ancient Roman theatre of Arles.

Video taken at Arles, France. October 2026

On the walk to the train station this morning, an old friend was revealed anew!The wonderful Maison Carrée at Nîmes, loo...
15/10/2026

On the walk to the train station this morning, an old friend was revealed anew!

The wonderful Maison Carrée at Nîmes, looking rather different under the purple lights.

Standing alongside the great theatre of Lugdunum, the Roman city of Lyon, is this smaller but no less fascinating struct...
15/10/2026

Standing alongside the great theatre of Lugdunum, the Roman city of Lyon, is this smaller but no less fascinating structure … the Odeon. This building was dedicated to music, poetry and recitals.

The theatre dates to around 15 BC, under Augustus, while the Odeon was built more than a century later, probably around the late first or early second century AD.

Here we are looking at the wonderful geometric marble flooring in the orchestra, incorporating stones brought from across the Roman world. The floor is a faithful, modern reconstruction based on the archeology and remains found here.

In comments I have posted a wider video of the same structure.

Despite being resident in Nimes until Saturday, I am recovering from a food bug picked up in Lyon, so decided to have a ...
14/10/2026

Despite being resident in Nimes until Saturday, I am recovering from a food bug picked up in Lyon, so decided to have a lazy day. Rest, lots of water and plain food.

The positive is that I won’t be distracted by, and madly posting about, the sights of Nimes until tomorrow at the earliest, so can post some more about Lyon 🙂

This wonderful mosaic, with Bacchus the Indian being its focus, dates to the 3rd century AD, and was discovered in 1811 on the Fourvière hill in Lyon.

Bacchus, the Roman god of w**e, was associated with the Greek Dionysus, who was said to have travelled as far as India, bringing w**e and his worship with him. He is often depicted in a triumphal procession accompanied by exotic animals. Here he is reclining on a panther.

Picture taken October 2026 at Lyon

The Porte d'Auguste was built in 16-15 BC as part of the walls that once surrounded Nimes. It was one of the city's main...
14/10/2026

The Porte d'Auguste was built in 16-15 BC as part of the walls that once surrounded Nimes. It was one of the city's main gates, and the Via Domitia entered the settlement here on its way to Hispania.

It has four arched passages: two large central ones for wheeled traffic and two smaller ones for pedestrians. The gate was once flanked by two towers.

Picture taken in Nimes, October 2026. Additional image in comments.

I love Nimes. Typical southern French vibe; the light is wonderful here, lots of people chatting and enjoying lunch in t...
13/10/2026

I love Nimes. Typical southern French vibe; the light is wonderful here, lots of people chatting and enjoying lunch in the sunshine … and I’m joining them. First of four days here!

The Neptune of Lyon is a wonderful example of Roman bronze sculpture, dating from the second century AD. Discovered in t...
13/10/2026

The Neptune of Lyon is a wonderful example of Roman bronze sculpture, dating from the second century AD. Discovered in the River Rhône in 1859, which seems appropriate, this near life sized representation of the god of the sea is remarkable for its survival and the detail of its flowing hair and beard.

Pictures taken at Lyon in October 2026

In 1806, workers digging a water reservoir in Lyon stumbled upon this wonderful mosaic depicting a Roman chariot race. D...
12/10/2026

In 1806, workers digging a water reservoir in Lyon stumbled upon this wonderful mosaic depicting a Roman chariot race. Dated to the second century AD, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the spectacle and excitement of Roman circus games.

The mosaic later became the subject of a tug of love between Lyon and Paris. When two collectors planned to remove it to Paris, the mayor of Lyon intervened to prevent its removal. It remained in the city, although it took until 1819 for it to be transferred successfully into a museum.

Close inspection reveals some wonderful details, and I’ve split the pictures up so you can better enjoy them.

Lyon did have its own Roman circus, its existence confirmed by inscriptions. However, there is no firm evidence that the mosaic depicts that particular venue.

Pictures taken October 2026 at Lyon. Video posted in comments.

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