Juliobona Gallo-Roman Museum

The Apollo of Lillebonne, discovered in 1823, is one of the largest and most significant Gallo-Roman bronze statues ever found in France. Standing nearly 2 meters tall and originally covered in gold leaf, this masterpiece was so exceptional that it was immediately acquired by the Louvre, where it remains one of the museum's prized antiquities. The statue's discovery put the small town of Lillebonne on the archaeological map and sparked over a century of excavations that continue today.

Juliobona was strategically positioned at the intersection of the Roman road connecting Lutetia (Paris) to Caracotinum (Harfleur), and also had access to the Seine River, making it a crucial trading hub. The city had its own fluvial port where goods from across the Roman Empire were exchanged, contributing to the wealth that allowed construction of the impressive theater-amphitheater that still stands across from the museum.

The tomb of Marcus, one of the museum's star exhibits, contained an unusually rich collection of 47 objects including bronze vessels, silver tableware, and delicate glassware - evidence that the deceased was likely a wealthy merchant or high-ranking official. Archaeological analysis suggests this was one of the most prestigious burials in all of Roman Normandy, offering rare insights into how the Gallo-Roman elite lived and died.