Ancient Theater in Orange, France is the Most Preserved Roman Theater in the World
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler
Once upon a time, two Pennsylvania gals decided to go to Rome, Italy all by themselves – without cell phones. Oh yes, you read that right… it was the early 2000s and all they did was make phone calls and send crappy text messages by pressing a series of buttons repeatedly to spell out words – positively archaic by today’s standards. So I left my cell phone behind in Philly but took the crappiest camera that produced some of the worst photos I’ve ever taken. Back then we were told by locals that two women traveling alone must be either transvestites or prostitutes which is also wild by today’s standards. I also brought ALL my purse belongings in a hot pink purse that should have read “Steal From Me!” on the side – including a chunk of gift cards I had recently won.
And as suspected, when we were entering the train from Rome to Naples, someone lifted my wallet out of said purse while my friend struggled with her oversized luggage in front of me. Once we sat down and realized what happened, we were well on our way and I was fuming! My friend took a video of me and I’m hoping someday she finds it – me angrily explaining to the young Italian guy in our cab about a “donna” with a “bambino” taking my “portfolio” in terrible Italian. With our trusty Lonely Planet Italian language guide book in hand, the young man took us to the polizia (police) where they laughed at the translations, especially the sex talk. It was that moment I knew I was fucked! But we did get to the Roman Colosseum someway… somehow before all the travel drama. And that is a very vivid memory even to this day which makes a great comparison to the below Théâtre Antique d’Orange in Vaucluse, France. Think of it as a sliver of the Colosseum but immaculately maintained and still in use for concerts to this very day.
Imagine an outdoor concert at the Ancient Theater in Orange! Located in Southern France, it was built early in the 1st century and is the home to the summer opera festival, the ChorĂ©gies d’Orange. They also offer a virtual reality experience “The Secrets of the Theatre” where you can immerse yourself in a journey 2000 years back in time. Helpful hint: don’t have wine beforehand if you don’t want to get dizzy, ha! It is the best-preserved of its kind in the western world and is just a small sliver of the size of the Roman Colosseum in Rome, Italy. The Ancient Theater was built over 2,000 years ago as a venue for performances still used to this day with its monumental stage wall is legendary. We also went across the street to the Museum of Art and History or in French, ThĂ©atre Antique d’Orange, to discover and learn about the authentic roman cadasters aka land registers. Last but not least, we enjoyed marveling at the Triumphal Arch, where mythical storytelling by our guide brought the site to life. These invaluable treasures listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, stand as remarkable testaments to Roman grandeur.
Right after we left Château la Nerthe at Châteauneuf-du-Pape LINK BLOG HERE, we swung by Château des Princes d’Orange (castle of the Princes of Orange), the old, dilapidated castle on Saint-Eutrope Hill overlooking the town of Orange, France. Solid remnants of the Princes of Nassau’s castle still remain and it is a historical site, part of the city’s ancient heritage, overlooking the RhĂ´ne Valley. It’s a mix of medieval and Roman ruins, a reminder of centuries with occupation and defense, now part of a public park. We then went straight to the Ancient Theater in Orange, France and were set free to explore! We were encouraged to try the virtual reality experience “The Secrets of the Theatre” and immerse yourself in a journey 2000 years back in time however my stomach from all the medications, fatique, travel and wine was telling me not to get dizzy so I literally just rested outside on a bench, after some photos of course.
After everyone finished their virtual reality session, we met up with our guide who was dressed like Stevie Nicks and I instantly loved her style and vibe. She took us to the museum directly across from the Roman Theatre in Orange, France, the MusĂ©e d’Art et d’Histoire (Museum of Art and History of Orange). The museum is a 17th-century mansion showcasing local history, Roman artifacts, paintings, statues, including mosaics and Roman cadastres (land map). Entry to the musuem is usually included with the theater and is small, only taking a bout 30 minutes to explore. Exhibits tracing from antiquity through the Middle Ages, including the Principality of Orange are displayed along with paintings from local artists like Albert de Belleroche with stories on the history of fabric printing (indiennes).
I about killed myself hiking to the top of Ancient Theater in Orange! But that is what physical therapy is for… and prescription medication. I had to do it for the story plot line at the Ancient Theater in Orange where they still hold concerts to this day, including the summer opera festival, the ChorĂ©gies d’Orange. This is why you should travel when you’re younger, ain’t no way in hell I would make it up those steps for this view in my retirement years. And let’s face it, Europe is ALL about the cobblestone streets and many, many steps. I’m just now absorbing everything we did… I may be a little slower nowadays but I can still climb to the top!
The Triumphal arch, or Arc de Triomphe, is an impressive Roman structure in old city of Orange and will remind you a bit of the one in Paris although smaller scale. Built between AD 10 and 25, the arch is one of the most beautiful and interesting surviving examples of a provincial triumphal arch from the reign of Augustus. Located on the Via Agrippa, this Triumphal Arch does not represent any victory in particular but rather symbolises Roman supremacy over land and seas. It is decorated with low reliefs commemorating the establishment of the Pax Romana and along with the Theatre Antique, forms part of the UNESCO listings for Roman ruins in Orange. You can book a guided tour at the tourism office or swing by on your own. It was a great ending to a visually stunning afternoon and I was also pleased to see so many mermaids represented! After this, we were on our way back to Avignon, France for dinner. If you want to read all the South of France adventures, click here!
