Orange – Vaucluse – Provence
The Roman Theatre of Orange
About 1 hr by car
Built in the early 1st century under the Emperor Augustus, the Roman Theatre of Orange is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site together with the town’s Triumphal Arch, it is the only Roman theatre in Europe to have kept its huge stage wall intact.
Sitting on the tiers set against the Saint-Eutrope hill, young and old can easily picture the shows of two thousand years ago. An ideal outing for a day in Provence, to combine with a stroll through the historic centre of Orange.
A stage wall unique in the world
103 metres long and 37 metres high, the stage wall is impressive from the moment you walk in. Louis XIV is said to have called it “the finest wall in my kingdom”. At its centre, the statue of Augustus still watches over the stage, and a large modern roof now protects the site while recalling the Romans’ velum.
The visit comes with an audio guide that tells the story of the theatre in Roman times. The ticket also gives access to the Museum of Art and History, just opposite, and a virtual reality tour lets you discover the theatre as it was in the 1st century.
A theatre still alive
The theatre is not just a monument: it still hosts performances. Since 1869, the Chorégies d’Orange, the oldest festival in France, have staged operas and concerts under the stars every summer, with remarkable acoustics.
All year round, events and workshops for families bring Antiquity back to life. On rehearsal or performance days, evening opening hours may change: check the events calendar before you come.
Opening hours and prices
The theatre is open every day: from 9.30 am to 5 pm in January, February, November and December, from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm in March and October, from 9 am to 6 pm in April, May and September, and from 9 am to 7 pm in June, July and August. Audio guides are handed out until 30 minutes before closing.
Admission with audio guide and museum costs €11.50 per adult and €9.50 for ages 7 to 17 (and for students), and it is free for children under 7. On event days, prices go up by €1.50. A family ticket is available for 2 adults and 2 children, and the virtual tour is offered as an extra.
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Open in Google MapsStay less than an hour from Orange
Extend your discovery of Roman Provence by staying at our villa in Lunel-Viel, ideally located between the Vaucluse, the Camargue and the Mediterranean.
In a villa sleeping 12 or an apartment sleeping 4 or 8, enjoy a peaceful stay.
Accommodation for up to 12 guests
from 100 € / night
1 night
-10 %