The Musée de l’Ephèbe, in Cap d’Agde, houses beautiful collections of underwater archaeology discovered during excavations in the Hérault delta, at sea or in the Etang de Thau. The museum owes its name to its centerpiece, a beautiful bronze statue in the Hellenistic style, located just a few kilometers from your Cap d’Agde campsite. A unique discovery in French waters. The museum’s collections present sunken treasures: amphorae, weapons, works of art, etc. of all origins: Etruscan, Greek, Roman, Celtic, Spanish, Italian, and many others.
The Ephebe Museum emblem of tourism in Cap d'Agde
The Ephebe and underwater archaeology museum is nestled in a green setting at the entrance to Cap d’Agde, 9 km from our Hérault campsite. If you are a history lover or simply want to discover something during your stay, the museum can be visited by families or groups. You will discover exceptional collections of historical objects, witnesses of the activities that have shaped Agde throughout the ages.
Agatha, the 2600 year old Greek city, was visited by Etruscans, Greeks, Romans, Celts, Visigoths, Saracens, Vikings, Spaniards and Italians. It is therefore not surprising that it has kept their traces. The underwater archaeological excavations have made it possible to find dishes, weapons of the royal navy, works of art, amphorae… They began in 1948, and it is thus that Jacky Fanjaud of GRASPA or Group of Underwater Archaeological Research and Diving of Agde discovered the famous statue of the Ephesus in the river of Herault. This find was restored in Lorraine and then in the Louvre where it remained for 20 years. It finally came back near your camping Cap d’Agde in 1987, 2 years after the opening of the museum of underwater archaeology Musée de la Clape, built between 1982 and 1984, today better known under the name of “Musée de l’Ephèbe et d’archéologie sous-marine”.
More than a place of conservation, the museum is also dedicated to research. You will find the fruits of chance discoveries and scientific research around the Agatha coastline, for over 50 years. Since 2002, its restoration laboratory (Moïra Conservation) and its scientific team have been entrusted with the conservation and restoration of the works and the premises. In addition to visits, the museum provides documentation, projects holographic animations, and organizes workshops for all ages near your Agde campsite.
Photo by Christelle Molinié