In the French Vaucluse (Provence), you’ll find many places steeped in rich and fascinating history. Think of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gordes and Avignon. Orange is a city that definitely belongs in this list. With its Roman remains, charming terraces and Dutch connection, a visit to Orange is a must when staying in this part of Provence.
Historical connection with the House of Orange-Nassau
The Dutch connection relates to the fact that Willem of Nassau inherited the principality of Orange in 1544 from his cousin René of Chalon. Willem was only 11 years old when he inherited Orange from his cousin, who died childless and had no direct heirs. From that moment on, Willem became known as Willem of Orange-Nassau. At the beginning of the 18th century, following the Treaty of Utrecht, the principality of Orange was incorporated into France. However, the historical connection has always remained and is considered an important part of Dutch cultural heritage.
What to do and see in Orange?
Although Orange is not very large, you can easily spend a day or two here. You can stroll around the town, visit Roman ruins, enjoy a terrace, have a lovely lunch or dinner and, most importantly, spend plenty of time at the Théâtre Antique d’Orange, where there is much to see and do.
Théâtre Antique d’Orange
The main attraction of Orange is undoubtedly the Théâtre Antique d’Orange. It is one of the best-preserved amphitheaters in the world and has rightfully earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Roman theater was built in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Emperor Augustus. His statue proudly stands at the top of the theater’s towering stage wall.
There are several ways to explore the amphitheater. You can take a leisurely walk with an audio tour to learn all about this impressive structure. If you find it hard to imagine how it was originally constructed, you can watch a presentation with a VR headset. For families, the Escape Game is a fun activity and don’t forget to experience the evening highlight: The Sound Odyssey, where various projections are displayed on the walls and floors of the amphitheater.
Arc de Triomphe
The second major attraction in Orange is undoubtedly the Arc de Triomphe. Like the amphitheater, this Roman monument is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The structure is impressive not only because of its 20-meter height but also due to the way it is decorated. The Triumphal Arch was built during the reign of Augustus, at the beginning of the 1st century AD. Over the centuries, the monument was also used as a fortress, but at the beginning of the 19th century, it was restored and renovated.
Le Musée d’Art et d’Histoire
Across from the amphitheater, you’ll find the Museum of Art and History (Le Musée d’art et d’histoire), where you can admire beautiful Roman finds. Think of statues, mosaic floor pieces and a massive marble cadastral map. These are stunning artifacts and they make you wonder what other treasures might be hidden beneath the buildings of Orange.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth
A bit hidden, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth is located in the center of Orange. If you’re used to other cathedrals with plenty of space around them, this one is different. The cathedral seems surrounded by other buildings, so you wouldn’t expect so much space inside. I find it truly beautiful, this Romanesque cathedral. The walls and ceilings are richly decorated, with different frescoes visible in all the vaults. You’re sure to have a sore neck when you leave the cathedral!
Hôtel de Lapise
Across from the cathedral, at the corner of Rue Notre Dame, you’ll find Hôtel de Lapise. You can simply enter this hotel. It may seem like you walk straight into the building when you open the door, but in reality, there is a gate behind it. Walk a little further through the gate and you’ll come to a small open space surrounded by the wings of Hôtel de Lapise. In 1630, the author of the later-published “Tableau de l’Histoire des Princes et Principality d’Orange” was murdered at this very spot. It is also said that the treaty was signed here, after which Orange was transferred to France. A hidden spot with history right in the middle of the city. If you haven’t heard of this place before, you’ll definitely walk right past it!
Shopping in Orange
In Orange, you’ll find quite a few charming, small shops. The window displays are already inviting and colorful and inside, you’ll discover a surprising range of home accessories, books, kitchenware, clothing and shoes. You can easily spend a few hours browsing here.
Place des Frères Mounet
In the mood for some coziness, a terrace and sunshine? Then Place des Frères Mounet in Orange is the place to be. Named after the famous French actors and brothers Jean and Paul Mounet, this square is home to many charming cafés and terraces. The setting is almost picturesque, with buildings painted in various colors. Even in the evening, it’s bustling, as I notice when I walk by here after dinner. Pure coziness!
Old Roman Wall (Rue Pontillac)
Across from the amphitheater on Rue Pontillac, you can still see a section of an old Roman wall. The guide explains that the gate doesn’t date back to Roman times; it was added later. It’s a shame that so little remains of a place that was so important during Roman times. I can easily imagine that there’s still much to be found beneath the ground.
Hôtel de Ville d’Orange
The town hall of Orange (Hôtel de Ville d’Orange) is located on Place Georges Clémenceau. It dates back to the 17th century and was used as a residence by an important family from the principality of Orange. At the beginning of the 18th century, the city purchased the building. It was renovated, a belfry was added and since then, it has served as the town hall. In 1880, it was thoroughly renovated and since the early 20th century, the building has been classified as a historical monument.
Great food in Orange
You can enjoy great food in Orange at many different places. I personally have had good experiences at Restaurant Aurasice, the restaurant of Le Grand Hôtel d’Orange. The setting is charming and on nice days, you can sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the weather.
Another great spot to eat is La Grotte d’Auguste. This restaurant is located beneath the amphitheater, in a cave. There’s little natural light here, but it creates a cozy atmosphere. On nice days, you can also eat outside on the terrace, with a view of the Roman excavations next to the amphitheater.
Discovering the area around Orange by bike
Want to explore the area around Orange? Then a rental bike is your best friend. With a bike, you can not only see more of the area around Orange but also easily travel back and forth between your hotel and the city, especially if your hotel, like mine, is a bit further from the city center.
Overnight stays in Orange
During my visit to Orange, I stayed at Mercure Orange Centre, just outside the city center. It’s a great hotel with spacious rooms and a wonderful shower. The breakfast is quite extensive and you can also enjoy a nice dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Also visit these beautiful places in Vaucluse
As I briefly mentioned above, there are many beautiful places to visit in Vaucluse. A visit to Orange can easily be combined with trips to other charming villages and towns in the region. Consider the famous hilltop villages of Gordes, Ménerbes, Lacoste and Oppède-le-Vieux in Luberon. Prefer to visit cities? Then take a look at Avignon, Cavaillon and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. By the way, Aix-en-Provence, located south of Vaucluse with its medieval old town, is also worth a visit.
How to get to Orange?
There are, of course, various ways to get to Orange. I travel to Orange by train, which is ideal since I only need to transfer once. I take the Eurostar to Paris, where I then catch the TGV to Orange. I leave at 07:11 and arrive in Orange at 15:15. Quite relaxing, right?
It’s also possible to fly into Marseille and rent a car. If you have more time, you can combine a visit to Orange with a city trip to Marseille and, for example, a visit to Aix-en-Provence. That way, you can kill two birds with one stone!
