Roman Days

For the Journées romaines, antiquity comes to life in Nyon!

Discover the amphitheater, adorn yourself in a toga, create your own laurel wreath, observe the skills of ceramists and glassblowers, intoxicate your senses with ancient colors, smells and flavors, or listen to mythological tales and stories.

Whether you’re looking for discoveries and surprises, have a taste for history or a passion for crafts, come and explore the world and daily life of the people who lived in Nyon two thousand years ago.

Please note: the amphitheatre monument is located on uneven, unpaved ground.

Program

REPRESENTATIONS

LES GLADIATEURS DU HAUT-EMPIRE ROMAIN
By Brice Lopez, troupe ACTA, France

Confrontations presented in their historical, archaeological and experimental context. A journey through time to discover the reasons behind the success of these emblematic fights, and to dispel all stereotypes about gladiatura.

ECHO, NARCISSE, ICARE ET COMPAGNIE
By STOA, Neuchâtel

Do these names ring a bell? If so, it’s thanks to Ovid. His Metamorphoses are mythology ++: tragic, epic and funny! 2000 years later, STOA serves them up on a platter, with live sound effects and even acrobatics. With Matteo Capponi, Christophe Gonet, Pierre Siegenthaler.

THE ROMAN LEGION
By the Pax Augusta association, France

Immerse yourself in the Roman army at the time of Emperor Augustus! Observe legionary maneuvers and combat techniques, and learn about the soldiers’ daily lives.

VENI – AUDIVI – AMAVI
By Marie Ray, Nyon

Once upon a time, Androcles was a young Roman from Noviodunum. One day, his father entrusted him with a very precious fibula… but nothing went according to plan. A tale in the washhouse, to discover the incredible adventure of Androcles and his slave Markus.

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VISITS

AN AMPHITHEATRE IN NYON?
By the Roman Museum of Nyon

The amphitheatre site is exceptionally accessible! A walk between the arena and the museum to show and explain the specific features of this exceptional building.

AMPHITHEATRE?” EXHIBITIONPHASE 2
By the Roman Museum of Nyon

Since its discovery in 1996, the amphitheatre has aroused interest and raised many questions. This evolving exhibition provides explanations, answers and food for thought about the building’s past, present and future.

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CRAFT

AU VERRE SOUFFLÉ
By François Dubois and Chloé Grevaz, Les Infondus, France

Come and admire the art of blowing molten glass! Equipped with a wood-fired kiln operating from 500 to 1150°C, Les Infondus reproduces pieces found in archaeological contexts, revealing the secrets of ancient glassmaking.

ANTIQUE CERAMICS
By Pierre-Alain Capt, Ars Cretariae, Cuarny

How was crockery produced in Roman times? An archaeoceramist explains how ancient ceramics were made, using a stick wheel.

A FOOT IN ANTIQUITY
By Gentle Craft, Musée de la chaussure, Lausanne

Roman footwear from every angle. See and touch leather accessories, reconstructed by studying and analyzing original fragments.

AD MUNERA – TEINTURE ET PEINTURE
By Joane Latty and Audrey Regnault

The craft of color and the use of dyes in Roman times will hold no secrets for you. Shield painting and tunic dyeing will make the link with the world of gladiators.

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ANIMATIONS

GLADIATURE SCHOOL
By Brice Lopez, ACTA troupe, France

Like true gladiators of the High Roman Empire, children are invited to don helmets and brandish swords for battle practice.

COUP DE DÉ – SAVEURS ANTIQUES
By the Nunc est Bibendum association, Geneva

Put your mind and taste buds to the test as you play ancient board games and try to identify forgotten spices and flavors from Greek and Roman cuisine.

AU TEMPS DES COURONNES
By association Mnémosyne, Lausanne

The plant crowns that adorn statues and mosaics come to life under your fingers! Weave your own wreath, choosing your plants with care. Discover the ancient secrets of plants: their uses (at 11am) and their mythical origins (at 3pm) will be presented to you.

PARFUMS D’ANTAN
By the Helios association, University of Lausanne

What smells did the Romans smell on a daily basis? Can you identify the fragrant plants used in ancient times? And why not make your own perfume, made in antiquita!

RELAXING IN ROMANIA
By the Viviskès association

Between relaxing at the thermal baths and other leisure activities, Viviskes invites you to explore the pleasures, places and practices that punctuated ancient life.

TOGA OR PEPLOS?
By the Nuit Antique association

Come and try on the latest Greco-Roman fashions: chiton, peplos, tunic or toga, and take part in a workshop to discover Antiquity in a different way.