15/46.- Bassin de Thau, Roman Villa, Loupian

In Roman times, the Bassin de Thau lay along the Roman Road linking Italy to Spain. More about the road below. Along this road, several villas were built. Originally, these villas were large farming enterprises with vineyards, olive groves, and a small harbour to export these products; plus facilities (forge, pottery, dairy, bakery, workers' quarters, ... ) to keep the whole estate fed and in working condition; but over the centuries, the Loupian villa eventually developed into a major property where the wealthy owners' guests were entertained in lavish luxury. One sign of this luxury is the decoration of the floors in multi-coloured mosaic.

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