Vaison-la-Romaine
A small town at the northern foot of Mont Ventoux. The lower town holds extensive Roman ruins, and across the Roman stone bridge is the medieval upper town on a cliff.
The lower town of Vaison-la-Romaine preserves one of the largest Roman city sites in France. It is divided into the Puymin and Villasse quarters, where you can see Roman aristocratic houses, mosaic floors, streets, and an ancient theater that once held about 6,000 spectators. The single-arch Roman stone bridge spanning the Ouvèze River has been in use for nearly two thousand years. Across the river is the upper town, with stone lanes beneath a 12th-century counts' castle. Combined site tickets start at about €10. The Tuesday morning market is one of the largest in the region. It's about 50 km from Avignon and can be combined with a day trip to Mont Ventoux.
Opening hours
Site about 9:30 am–6:00 pm (varies by season)
Nearby sights
- Mont Ventoux
- Roman Theatre of Orange
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
- Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
- Sénanque Abbey
- Gordes
- Sault Lavender Plateau