A Roman theatre of impressive size, ancient finds and gardens with medieval walls: Lillebonne offers several ways to explore its history. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the visible remains of the theatre, the Juliobona Museum and the green spaces. The museum’s opening status is particularly important to check when planning your visit.
The Roman theatre as a landmark
The Juliobona Museum is located at Place Félix Faure, 76170 Lillebonne, opposite the Roman theatre. Its remains are fully visible from the square. The structure is about 108 metres long and 94 metres wide; it could accommodate 10,000 spectators. It is considered the largest and best-preserved building for theatrical performances north of the Loire.
Accessibility is also relevant when planning your visit: the theatre can be visited with a pushchair. A ramp leads to the seating tiers, and a lift goes down to the arena. Check the accessibility information again before your trip. This lets you connect your view of the structure with a specific question: would you mainly like to take in its scale, or learn more about the history of the ancient city?
Juliobona: collection and visitor status
The museum is devoted to Lillebonne’s Gallo-Roman heritage. Its collection comprises almost 300 exhibits, including numerous finds from successive excavations. It conveys both what is known about the ancient city and what remains to be understood. A permanent interactive digital module lets visitors view the Apollo of Lillebonne from every angle.
As of 20 August 2026, the Juliobona Museum was temporarily closed for construction work. Check before visiting whether it has since reopened. The events programme includes conferences, combined guided tours of the Roman theatre and the city, themed heritage tours and performances. Some dates change seasonally; check the current events calendar for your travel dates.
From antiquity to medieval walls
The ancient port of Juliobona opened access to the Mediterranean and the province of Britannia, present-day Great Britain. The keep belongs to a different era: Philip II Augustus had it built, and it is still visible today. These historical connections offer different perspectives across time, without limiting the themes to Roman finds.
Les Juliobonales also add a distinctive feature to the events calendar. The festival takes place every two years in June and lasts three days. The programme includes performances, historical reenactments and fun activities; individual events may vary from one edition to the next. Check the dates for your chosen travel year before planning your stay around the festival.
Green spaces with different highlights
For walks and exercise, Parc des Aulnes offers a different experience from Jardin Jean Rostand. The park covers 15 hectares and is used by walkers and runners. It has four freely accessible outdoor fitness machines for people aged 14 and over. As facilities may change, check their availability before travelling if you are specifically interested in using them.
The grounds date from the late 12th century and preserve medieval walls. Those planning an outing in the greenery can choose between the park’s larger area, used for walking and running, and the historic garden with children’s play areas.
Plan walks, routes and your journey
The Circuit du Patrimoine de Lillebonne is a walking route whose stops include a Gallo-Roman well. Check the route status and signage before setting out; access conditions at individual stops may also change. Several signposted hiking and mountain-biking trails start in Lillebonne or pass near the town. Keep these two options distinct, and check the route and trail markings before setting out.
When travelling from Le Havre, regular bus route 506 stops in Lillebonne at Théâtre romain–Place Félix Faure. Routes and stops may change, so check the connection before travelling. By keeping the museum’s current status, event dates and your chosen activity in mind, you can plan a stay that suits your interests.
Discover more destinations: Petit-Couronne, Londinières, Roncherolles-en-Bray, Saint-Pierre-Lavis, Tancarville, Sainte-Hélène-Bondeville, Le Tréport, Cuverville-Sur-Yères.
For the broader travel overview: Seine-Maritime.
