The Roman theatre Théâtre Antique d’Orange is the main attraction in Orange, a town in the French Vaucluse. It was built in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Emperor Augustus. It is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Heading to Vaucluse? A visit to Orange and its magnificent amphitheater should definitely be on your itinerary.
Théâtre Antique d’Orange
The theatre in Orange is massive. Originally, it could accommodate around 9,000 spectators. The seating area was made from large stone blocks on the slope of a hill, Colline Saint-Eutrope. In some places, the original blocks are still part of the current seating. The 103-meter-long backdrop of the stage reaches an impressive height of 37 meters and features various sculpted decorations and columns. In the center of the backdrop, at the top, stands a large statue of Augustus.
Today, the amphitheater is used for cultural events such as the Chorégies d’Orange, an annual opera festival held in the summer. Famous artists regularly perform here, including The Police, David Guetta, Sarah Bernhardt and Hans Zimmer.
What to do at Théâtre Antique d’Orange?
It’s super exciting, of course, if you can attend a concert in this magnificent theatre. But even if that doesn’t fit into your schedule, you can still get to know the theatre very well. Every day, there are different activities you can do here.
The historical and educational route in the Roman Theatre
Using information boards, you can walk through the entire theatre at your own pace. Especially in the corridors beneath and behind the seating area, there’s much to see and learn about the time when the Romans used the amphitheater. There are various rooms where you can playfully learn all sorts of things about Roman times. Topics covered include (live) characters, education, entertainment and food. It’s especially fun if you’re visiting the theatre with children!
Audio guide
You can explore the theatre with an information booklet in hand, but there’s also the option to use an audio guide. The audio guide takes you back in time, to the era when the Roman theatre was in full use.
The Sound Odyssey
The highlight of the ancient theatre in Orange is The Sound Odyssey: an evening show with light and sound. The show begins later in the evening, as it starts to get dark. You put on a headset that works with geotagging. A stunning and colorful light show is projected onto the backdrop of the theatre, the seating areas and the walls. The accompanying music is well-chosen and the sound is excellent. Thanks to the geotagging, you can really notice the difference as you move through the theatre during the show. The projections feature landscapes, gods, beautiful figures and much more. It’s truly 45 minutes of enjoyment with light and sound!
Escape Game
Visiting the theatre with your family? Then it’s fun to do the Escape Game. You’ll receive a booklet and you need to search for answers to various questions, ultimately leading you to a code that will allow you to open a door. It’s a lot of fun and not that easy. During my Escape Game, we really explored every corner of the theatre, looking for all sorts of things. You learn something, have fun together and see the theatre from a different perspective.
Virtual tour
The virtual tour takes you back to the beginning of the era with a VR headset. In just 15 minutes, you’ll witness the founding of Orange and the construction of the ancient theatre. It’s a fun experience, especially to help you better visualize everything. Since the end of May 2024, you can watch the latest VR video.
What else to do in Orange?
Orange is a city where you can easily spend a whole day. Take a look at the Triomphal Arch, which, like the amphitheater, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The museum across from the ancient theatre is also a must-see; here, you’ll find excavated objects and learn even more about Roman times in Orange. You can enjoy delicious food, relax on terraces and shop in this charming little town. Curious about more things to do? Tips can be found in the article 12 Things to Do and See in Orange.
The best way to get to Orange
This time, I travel by Eurostar from Amsterdam to Paris, where I transfer to the TGV, which stops in Orange. It’s a very relaxing journey, where I depart from Amsterdam at 07:11 and arrive in Orange at 15:15.
Flying into Marseille is also a great option. I did this during my previous trip to Vaucluse, where I picked up a rental car in Marseille. I always choose to rent a car with all-inclusive service, which ensures that you’re fully insured.
