The 2nd-century domus and funerary basilica of Saint-Martin

Nestled in Luxeuil-les-Bains, Haute-Saône, France, the Saint-Martin site boasts a history that spans from the 2nd century. Remnants of the earliest known stone building date back to the 2nd century AD, consisting of a domus. By the first half of the 4th century, this building was abandoned, and a pagan necropolis was established in its place.

The necropolis is the origin of a vast funerary basilica of the 5th-6th centuries. The building underwent several alterations, including a reconstruction at the beginning of the 9th century, which incorporated early sarcophagi and an abside with a commemorative character. Over time, the site moved from a monastic role to a parish use around the 12th-13th centuries.

In 629, Saint Valbert, a hermit, was appointed to oversee the nearby monastery and was later interred there in 668. His burial site became a pilgrimage destination and a place for burials. The site was designated as a historical monument in 2010. The remains of the building and its cemetery were unearthed in 2006 during a parking construction project.

In 2018, a centre for the interpretation and animation of the archaeological site was established, designed by Michel Malcotti.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons