ROMAN
THEATER ANTIQUE ORANGE
Ancient Rome in Provence Cotes du Rhône Wine Region
A
few kilometers north of the medieval city of Avignon, once capital
city away from home of
Roman Popes,
at the center of the Cotes
du Rhone wine trails region of Provence is one of the most spectacular
views into life under ancient Rome, the Theater Antique d’Orange.
In the 500 years of the Roman Empire the hills and fertile valleys
of the northwest sector of the empire known as Gaul was a very cushy
station for the legions of Rome. Provence was then as now considered
a top touring spot for its lush hills and wine growing soil. To maintain
control of its conquered territories the empire built massive incredible
amphitheaters to provide entertainment to the masses and a means of
providing propaganda as well.
The
best surviving example of the Roman Amphitheater in the western European
former empire. Capable of seating up to 9000 spectators at
a time, the Theatre Antique in Orange remains amazingly much as it
once was and is still in use today as a theater stage. A self-guided
audio tour takes you through the history and purpose of the impressive
structure. One of the most curious glimpses into Roman politics is
the stature of the 
Emperor who still stands in a commanding niche above
the stage. These statues were made by the thousands to spread the imperial
presence through the scattered lands of the empire, but the heads were
detachable so when an emperor went down, only the face needed to be
changed rather than the entire statue. The single massive wall of the
theater which dominates the town center of Orange 103 meters long and
37 meters high has been referred to one of the most impressive structures
of ancient Europe.
Additional
samples of the statuary and art of the Theater and the great Augusteum
Temple ruins
next
to it can be found in the Museum
across the street in a 17th Century mansion of a Dutch nobleman. The
museum is included in the price of admission to the Theater Antique,
about €8. The area around Orange is rich with other Roman sites.
The Arc De Triumphe dating from the 1st century along the Route of
Agrippa was dedicated to the Roman legion veterans and is decorated
with depictions of captured Gauls as symbols of Roman control. It is
the Roman triumphal arc which inspired later versions across Europe
like the most famous one in Paris.
The town of Orange was first established in the year 35 B.C. but has played an important part in history in times since. Raimbaud the Count of Orange was one of the principals in the capture of Jerusalem in the Crusade of 1099. His stature can be found in the town center overlooking the sidewalk cafes. The royal House of Orange which has ruled the Netherlands originated in the corner of French Provence. William of Orange became England’s king in 1689, central to the Catholic and Protestant struggles of the mid-milleneum.
Orange can make for a base
to explore Provence and the wineries of Rhone. Just off the motorway
from the south into town at the beginning
of the Avenue Marachal Foch the Palais di Vin is an emporium of local
wines with maps of the five wine regions of the Cotes du Rhone with
a nearby convenient Ibis budget hotel for a stop along the motorway
or stay in the
center of the old town the Best
Western Hotel Arene convenient
to train and walking. Route N7 north from the Roman Triumph Arch
parallels
the motorway to save on tolls for a road trip north past small family
wineries of the Rhone less familiar than those of Bordeaux and Burgundy.
Orange is on the main SCNF/TGV train line from Aix-en-Provence to Lyon, about an hour and a half by car from Nice on the A7 motorway or three hours by way of the Napoleon Road through Grasse (see CastellaneMaritime). For current live performances at the Theatre Antique see the website. © Bargain Travel Europe
Budget
Hotel Ibis
Orange Centre
Find hotel deals and read reviews in Provence at TripAdvisor
Web
Info
Theatre
Antique
See Also:
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
ON THE COTE d'AZURE
Kids on the Riveria - Dolphins and Dauphins
THREE
CHOICE HOTEL BARGAINS IN NICE
For a budget trip to the French Riviera
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
ON THE COTE d'AZURE
Kids on the Riveria - Dolphins and Dauphins
