Celtic tribes from central Europe came during the 8th Century BCE and spread through the country, soon becoming known as the Gauls. They dominated much of France until the arrival of the Romans during the 2nd Century BCE.

The Gauls defended their territory from oppidums or fortified towns on hilltops one of which can be seen at Alesia in modern Burgundy. Here in 52 BCE the Gallic leader Vercingetorix was defeated by the great Roman General Julius Caesar.

The Romans were then able to strengthen their grip on Gaul and this was celebrated with the construction of the monumental Trophy of the Alpes at La Turbie above Monaco. They ruled Gaul until the 5th Century AD when events at home weakened their power and by 486 AD they were gone, leaving behind excellent roads like the Via Aurelia, the Via Domitia and the Via Julia Augusta, parts of which can be seen today, and towns with civic amenities like the amphitheatres at Nîmes and Arles.