Renowned for its Roman ruins, Orange lies in Provence's Haut-Vaucluse region, an area that flourished during classical antiquity. The 1st-century AD Théâtre Antique (Roman theater) is testimony to the ancient heritage.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Théâtre Antique is extremely well preserved with the back wall and decorations still intact. During the Roman era, a crowd of more than 7,000 spectators would pile into the theater to watch comedies, tragedies, dance performances, acrobatics, and juggling acts.
Today, the Théâtre Antique is used as the venue for cultural events such as the summertime music festival called the Chorégies d'Orange. Other interesting archaeological sights are the Arc de Triomphe, the triumphal arch dedicated to ancient Rome's Emperor Tiberius, and the Hémicycle, ruins of a Roman temple adjoining the Roman theater.
For a deeper understanding of the town's ancient history and cultural heritage, visit the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire. This museum has an excellent collection of artifacts, antiquities, and art works from prehistory to the 18th century. Be sure to see the Mosaïque des Centaures, an impressive mosaic that was discovered in the Théâtre Antique.
