Orange is an enchanting French town in Provence, and the highlight has to be the Roman Theater and Triumphal Arch. Impressively well-preserved, walking into this towering structure is like stepping back into ancient France, when it was an outpost of the Roman Empire.
The town has a village atmosphere and is an excellent base if you want to explore the beautiful Provence area and neighboring towns. East of the Rhône and north of Avignon, there are unmissable sights for miles around.
UNESCO highlights
Orange’s Roman Theater is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in Europe. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, the theater owes its fame to its magnificent stage wall and hosts the Chorégies d’Orange, an opera festival held every August in the town.
Orange’s Triumphal Arch is another outstanding relic from the Roman era. Its arch is an astonishing survivor of the Augustus reign in the first century. Covered in decorative limestone figures, it represented the glory of Rome and is located on a road of honor – supposedly between the world of the dead and the ancient Roman city.
Roman reflections
Delve into the town’s Roman archaeology by visiting Le Musée d’Art et d’Histoire d’Orange. It contains many artifacts from the excavations carried out in Orange and the wider Provence region.
The museum building itself dates to the 17th century, and inside you’ll find sculptures unearthed during excavations at the theater, collections of tapestries, records from the 1st century AD, and friezes of centaurs that all shine a light on the history of Orange.
French air force history
The French Air Force is a major employer for Orange residents, and has a base only three miles away from the town center. From here, you can visit the Musée de la BA 115, which is open only on Tuesdays and contains exhibits from key historical military events from 1928 to the present day.
Explore pivotal moments in 20th-century world history, from the interwar period through to World War II and the Cold War. Overseas visitors will need to send a request a week before their visit.
Musée Aéronautique d’Orange has a range of fighter aircraft on display at the same base. It’s a paradise for fighter-plane fans, with an extensive collection of French-made Dassault Mirages and Mystères on display. You can drive to both museums, if you have prior permission, in less than 10 minutes if you take the D975 from Orange.
Day trips from Orange
Orange is an excellent location if you want to explore Provence’s towns and villages. You can easily visit Avignon, one of France’s most famous historical cities, just 30 minutes away when you take the A9 southbound freeway.
Avignon is the so-called City of the Popes, and its historic center is a treasure trove of religious attractions, which date back to when the Catholic Church temporarily abandoned Rome for Avignon from 1309 to 1376.
When you rent a car in Orange, you can also travel northbound on the A7 to France’s third largest city, Lyon, in under two hours. If you want to explore the blue waters of the Mediterranean coastline, head southbound to Montpellier along the A9 freeway. It should take you an hour or so depending on the time of day.
Orange is within easy driving distance of many beautiful locations in southern France, so when you collect your keys from us, you’ll only be moments away from the treasures of Provence.
