Item of the month

This month’s featured object: Epona

Each month, the Musée du Malgré-Tout showcases an artifact from the reserves of its many collections.

Now discover the item of the month for January 2025: The goddess Epona, protector of horses and riders.

Who is Epona? Epona is one of the few Gallic deities whose cult spread as far as Rome. She is often depicted on horseback or surrounded by horses, symbolizing her protection of riders, stables and travelers. But her role goes far beyond this: she is also a mother goddess, linked to fertilityShe is also a mother goddess, linked to fertility, springs and sometimes the passage of souls to the afterlife.

This copper-alloy statuette, dating from the Gallo-Roman periodtestifies to the rich cultural heritage of our ancestors. Epona’s multiple functions reflect the importance of horses in ancient societies, as working tools, means of transport and sacred figures.

On display in our dedicated room, this piece is accompanied by a historical and mythological context, offering a fascinating insight into the beliefs of the past. Come and discover this unique divinity and the secrets it continues to reveal!