At the heart of a fertile region, Pompeii was a flourishing commercial city, close to Naples. It was devastated and totally buried under volcanic ash during the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79. The first archaeological excavations began on the site in 1748, revealing the incredible richness of the site.

With its new exhibition entitled Pompéi un art de vivre (Pompeii, a luxurious lifestyle), the Musée Maillol lets us explore the refined lifestyle of the people of Pompeii, by visiting a faithful reconstructed domus pompeiana.

Pompeii was a place where wealthy Romans liked to live.

Their homes were little palaces richly decorated. Statues sculpted in marble, beautiful coloured mosaics, magnificent frescos… Art was present in all its forms.

Including an atrium with gardens and fountain, a triclinium, a culina, a balneum and a venereum, the typical domus pompeiana (Pompeii house) was equipped with an astonishingly modern infrastructure including an underground heating system, running water in every room, as well as connections to the centralised sewerage system.

Works from Pompeii and other sites of Vesuvius are on show at this beautiful exhibition. You can visit it until February 12, 2012 at the Musée Maillol in Paris.

Musée Maillol :

• 59/61, rue de Grenelle – 75007 Paris
• Opening hours:
  • Open 10.30am–7.30pm,
  • Friday night opening to 9.30 pm,
• Open every day (except 25 December and 1 January)
• Further information: Pompéi, un art de vivre

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