Vaison-la-Romaine

Vaison-la-Romaine is a picturesque medieval village beautifully situated on the Ouvèze River at the foot of the huge, famous Mont Ventoux mountain. A holiday in Vaison-la-Romaine offers great opportunities for exciting excursions in the beautiful Provencal hinterland. Vaison-la-Romaine is located in a very scenic area surrounded by olive trees, lavender, cypresses, cedars and pine trees. Vaison-la-Romaine is also not far from the two famous wine regions of Château-neuf-du-Pape and Gigondas.

In Vaison-la-Romaine there are two archaeological sites with a wealth of historical memories. A Roman bridge leads over to the part of the city where the excavations are located. The upper excavation contains ruins, statues, mosaics and a beautiful Roman theatre, which is one of the best preserved theatres from the time of Emperor Augustus. The theatre is still used for many cultural events in the summer.

In the second excavation you'll find a handful of buildings, also from the time of Emperor Augustus, the Maison de Messii, the villa of a wealthy family, the Portico de Pompey, an elegant public building with columns, and the Nymphaeum, which once provided the city with water.

Another major attraction is the medieval neighbourhood of Haute Ville, which dates back to the 13th century and is located on top of a small cliff. Up here you'll find the ruins of a castle that was once the summer residence of the Counts of Toulouse. There are small, shady squares, old doorways and narrow cobbled streets, fountains and several mansions from the 16th and 18th centuries. The upper town also offers one of the best views of the surrounding countryside.

Inspiration for your holiday:

Attractions:

The excavation sites

The ruins

Roman bridge

Haute ville: Visit the old town's website: http://aphv.free.fr/.

Cathédrale de Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth: 12th century cathedral. Has an archway with columns whose capitals are beautifully decorated.

Ferme Expérimentale d'Élevage de Lalas: Llama farm located 1 km outside Le Barroux (16 km from Vaison-la-Romaine).

Things to do in Vaison-la-Romaine

Ski resorts within a reasonable distance: http://www.skifrance.fr/default-a.htm.

Rock climbing.

Walking and hiking in the marvellous surroundings.

Cycling: Challenges for everyone, from elite athletes to families with children. There are several great tours to other towns in the area, a wealth of less demanding mountain routes and the tough Mont Ventoux.

Golf: There is a wealth of golf courses in the area, 4 in the department of Vaucluse and several in the neighbouring southern department of Bouhes du Rhône. The French Golf Union has a website where most courses are presented. Unfortunately, the website is in French. Go to Guide de golfs and search here under the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region: www.ffgolf.org.

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