Housing

A considerable network of private houses existed round the forum, partially revealed by excavations in Place Bel-Air (1978-1982), Rue de la Gare and Rue du Collège (1992-1994).  In Place Bel-Air, the excavation of a house showed that the area, which was abandoned around 250 AD, had been occupied from 30/20 BC on and that the initial constructions were made of wood and earth.  The model of the Mediterranean domus, organised round a porticoed courtyard or a garden often decorated with ponds and sculptures, was adopted as from the 1st century AD.

Alongside the Mediterranean domus-type houses in the centre of the town, the hills and plateaux surrounding the central network must have been the site of cottage industries or suburban districts or villae.  The Vy-Creuse excavations (2008-2011) revealed a fairly dense collection of dwellings on the far side of the amphitheatre.  There were also establishments of some size, throughout the territory of the Colonia Iulia Equestris; the Commugny villa is an exceptionally wealthy example.