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Bibracte was proclaimed by Caesar as being "by far the largest and best-provided of the Aeduan towns" (Caesar, De Bellum Gallicum, I,23). It was also the religious and financial capital of the Aedui, one of the most powerful tribes in Gaul. It was here that Caesar wintered his troops in 58 B.C. while he was able to build up the troops' corn supply while he battled the Helvetti.

Excavations at Bibracte have revealed a vast area of 330 acres, as well as many pre-Roman dwellings, a temple of Bibractis, and the workshops of iron. and bronze workers and enamellers.

It was here at Bibracte that the Celtic chief Vercingetorix mustered the Gaulish force against the Romans in 52BC. Subsequently Julius Caesar, after his conquest of the surrounding area of Alesia, began to write his legendary work De Bellum Gallicum at this particular site.

In the 19th century, Jacques-Gabriel Bulliot, followed by Joseph Dechelette, began the important excavations here. Today they are still being continued, and the whole complex has been really well established as a centre for early European Celtic culture.

Information courtesy of The Celtic Planet

Map based on information from Athena Review