The history of the research made on this ancient town begins with an authoritative page from the History of the Berry compiled in 1566 by Jean Chaumeau, a lawyer from Bourges. It attests to the strength of local tradition and the breadth of this Renaissance man's historical knowledge.

"In ancient times.... the town of Argenton was situated where, at present, are certain large houses of vines called the Palace (toponym of the amphitheatre), the sacred walls or Murs Saints (Mersans) and le Virou (toponym of the theatre).... was great of breadth and perimeter... In these houses, one still finds large and beautiful cellars and foundations of houses and other ancient buildings made of such good materials and composition that it is difficult to demolish or tear them down.

"One still sees there the ruins of several beautiful and sumptuous artificial fountains whose channels and pipes are of marble; there are even steamrooms made from alabaster, with large pillars in the shape of columns....

"Not a year goes by but that, in the aforesaid houses and other neighbouring parts, objects and gold or silver medals are found.

"In one part of the perimeter, adjoining the river Creuse... one can still see two strong, attractive stacks of cut stone and the semblance of others that would be the bridges of that ancient town, at the issue of which.... is a road hewn with a great labour and artifice in rock so hard that one cannot but marvel at the workmanship, and was thus the road to go from Paris to Gascony (the Roman road towards Limoges).

"All these antiquities make it appear obvious enough that there was grandeur and magnificence in this aforesaid ancient city."