Lillebonne: Discover Roman Heritage

Lillebonne brings together evidence of the Roman town of Juliobona, medieval heritage and green spaces. When planning your stay, you can explore these different sides of the town: the Roman theatre and museum, historic traces, or walks and relaxation in the green spaces.

The Roman Theatre and Juliobona

The Roman theatre in Lillebonne could accommodate 10,000 spectators. At about 108 metres long and 94 metres wide, it is a striking testament to the ancient town. It is considered the largest and best-preserved building for performances north of the Loire. The remains of the theatre are fully visible from the square.

Opposite the theatre, at Place Félix Faure in Lillebonne (76170), is the Juliobona Museum. It displays nearly 300 exhibits on the local Gallo-Roman heritage, including numerous finds from successive excavations. The collections convey both what is known about the ancient town and what remains to be understood. A permanent interactive digital module allows visitors to view the Apollon de Lillebonne from every angle.

On 20 August 2026, the Juliobona Museum was temporarily closed for construction work. Check its current opening status before visiting. For the 2026 season, admission to the “À la table des Romains” exhibition is included in the theatre ticket; no reservation is required.

Guided Tours, Events and Local History

The museum’s event programme includes conferences, combined guided tours of the Roman theatre and town, themed heritage tours, and performances. These formats offer different ways to explore Lillebonne’s history; some dates vary by season. If you plan to attend an event, check its date before travelling.

Les Juliobonales takes place every two years in June. The three-day programme includes performances, historical reenactments and fun activities; details may vary from one edition to the next. For your travel plans, check the current festival dates rather than inferring a specific event year from the two-year cycle.

Historic traces are also present beyond the Roman heritage. Philip II Augustus had the keep in Lillebonne built; it is still visible today. The ancient port of Juliobona once provided access to the Mediterranean and the province of Britannia, present-day Great Britain. This historic connection places Lillebonne’s Gallo-Roman past in a broader context without reducing the town’s history to the theatre alone.

The Circuit du Patrimoine de Lillebonne is a walking tour. Its stops include a visit to a Gallo-Roman well. Several marked hiking and mountain biking trails start in Lillebonne or run near the town. As routes and trail markings should be checked, and access conditions at individual stops may change, verify the information before setting out.

Green Spaces and Time Outdoors

Parc des Aulnes covers 15 hectares and is used by walkers and runners. It offers a place for family walks and relaxation. There are also four freely accessible fitness machines for people aged 14 and over. If you plan to use these machines, observe the age limit; the facilities may change over time.

Jardin Jean Rostand covers 7,519 square metres of flowering gardens and offers children’s play areas for family visits. At the same time, the garden preserves medieval walls and dates back to the late 12th century. Here, garden grounds sit alongside a tangible reminder of the town’s history. The two green spaces offer different highlights: at Parc des Aulnes, these are walking, running and the fitness machines; at Jardin Jean Rostand, the flowering gardens, children’s play areas and medieval walls.

Getting Around Lillebonne

For travel from Le Havre, regular bus route 506 serves the Théâtre romain–Place Félix Faure stop in Lillebonne. Routes and stop names may change; check your connection before departure. The museum and theatre can be located using their shared reference point at Place Félix Faure: the museum is opposite the Roman theatre.

Discover more destinations: Rieux, Cuy-Saint-Fiacre, Eu, Yainville, Saint-Valéry-En-Caux, Senneville-Sur-Fécamp, Épretot, Longueil.

For the main travel overview: Seine-Maritime.