[blahman2]

Such discoveries (yes, of similar or greater quality) are made so frequently in the southern parts of the Balkans / Italy that they are almost skipped in the news. Yet, when it happens in France it makes the NYT and the event is 'exceptional'.

[bogomipz]

The NYTimes didn't call them exceptional, the French Culture Ministry called them an "exceptional discovery", as did an archeologist working on the excavation.

If you read the article what makes this "exceptional" is the fact that the fires which destroyed the place actually had a preserving effect:

'The fires essentially froze in place much of the neighborhood’s architecture, including even the artifacts left behind by residents fleeing the blazes, “transforming the sector into a veritable ‘little Pompeii’ of Vienne,” according to Archeodunum.'

So no its not just any old Roman find.

A culture minister seeing a marketing opportunity for tourism likely had their office issue a press release and as stated in the article invited journalists to come to tour the site this week.

Similarly the archeologist from Archeodunum likely put out their own press release as it's good for business.

Perhaps those parts of the Balkans/Italy you mention should have their respective cultural minister to do a better job marketing their finds.

[kweks]

This is very likely a "lost in translation" or "false friend" moment. The French "exceptionnel" means: one of a kind, typically due to extenuating cricrumstances. (When your local bakery is closed because the baker broke his leg, the note on the window will say "fermeture exceptionnel"..

The Culture Ministery's comments are therefore quite accurate for this case, and not so much pomp.

[bogomipz]

It means the same thing in English:

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/exceptional