Vaison-la-Romaine

France

Vaison-la-Romaine is in Vaucluse.

The city is best known for its beautiful Roman remains including a single-arch bridge, and for its medieval city and its cathedral. What is unusual about a visit to Vaison is that you are able to see 2,000 years of history before your eyes — ancient, medieval and modern — in a single glance.

Roman bridge Two of the most interesting aspects of the town are its geography and its ruins. The Roman ruins and the modern town are in the valley on the banks of a river which is crossed by an ancient bridge from the 1st century AD.

The medieval town is high on a rocky cliff. The valley floor was safe from attack in Roman and modern times. In the Middle Ages, attacks were frequent, and the town retreated uphill to a more defensible position.

The apse of the Church of St. Quenin, dedicated to Saint Quinidius, seems to date from the eighth century; it is one of the oldest in France. As a whole, the cathedral dates from the 11th century, but the apse and the apsidal chapels are from the Merovingian period.

  • Roman bridge, 2 Avenue César Geoffray (crossing the Ouvèze river, between the modern and medieval sections of the city. Roman bridge spanning the Ouvèze, 17 metres above the river. During the floods of September 1992, the waves passed over the parapet.
  • Archaeological site Villasse, 18 Avenue Général de Gaulle (behind the post office. Annual closure on January. Ancient Roman forum, with its spa and its shopping streets. 8€ for adult, 3€ (from 12 to 18 year old), free under 11.
  • Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth, 78 Avenue Jules Ferry. Cathedral with cloister. free entrance.
  • Castle of the Counts of Toulouse, 1 Chemin de Barbanot. Castle on top of the medieval city, partially ruined. free entrance.
  • Archaeological site of Puymin, rue Bernard Noël (behind Tourism Office. Annual closure on January. 8€ for adult, 3€ (from 12 to 18 year old), free under 11.
  • Roman theater, Avenue des Choralies (behind Archaeological site of Puymin.
  • Saint Quenin chapel, Avenue de Saint-Quenin. Romanesque chapel, with the particularity of a triangular apse.
  • Old clock tower, Petite Rue (on the way to Medieval castle. Clock tower of the medieval city, with a Provençal-style bell tower.

Roman bridge, 2 Avenue César Geoffray (crossing the Ouvèze river, between the modern and medieval sections of the city. Roman bridge spanning the Ouvèze, 17 metres above the river. During the floods of September 1992, the waves passed over the parapet.

Archaeological site Villasse, 18 Avenue Général de Gaulle (behind the post office. Annual closure on January. Ancient Roman forum, with its spa and its shopping streets. 8€ for adult, 3€ (from 12 to 18 year old), free under 11.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth, 78 Avenue Jules Ferry. Cathedral with cloister. free entrance.

Castle of the Counts of Toulouse, 1 Chemin de Barbanot. Castle on top of the medieval city, partially ruined. free entrance.

Archaeological site of Puymin, rue Bernard Noël (behind Tourism Office. Annual closure on January. 8€ for adult, 3€ (from 12 to 18 year old), free under 11.

Roman theater, Avenue des Choralies (behind Archaeological site of Puymin.

Saint Quenin chapel, Avenue de Saint-Quenin. Romanesque chapel, with the particularity of a triangular apse.

Old clock tower, Petite Rue (on the way to Medieval castle. Clock tower of the medieval city, with a Provençal-style bell tower.

  • Tourist Office, Avenue Chanoine Sautel, +33 4 90 36 02 11. Jul-Aug 9:30-18:45. Visit the well equipped tourist office for information and a local map. Walk through the medieval city to the ruins of the castle. Please note that the narrow streets up are steep and that the last part is not paved. Once at the top you are rewarded with a magnificent view over the region.

Tourist Office, Avenue Chanoine Sautel, +33 4 90 36 02 11. Jul-Aug 9:30-18:45. Visit the well equipped tourist office for information and a local map.

Weekly Provençal market. every Tuesday.

Librairie Montfort, 34 Grand Rue. Very complete choice in literature and local history books.

La Romaine, 95 Chemin de Saumelongue (near Saint Quenin chapel, +33 4 90 36 00 43. Wines of the Côtes du Rhône and Ventoux.

You can find several restaurants at Place Montfort.

  • La Lyriste, 45, Cours Taulignan (nearby the town hall, +33 4 90 36 04 67. Closed on Monday and Wednesday. Traditional French restaurant. from 13.50 € - 29 €.

La Lyriste, 45, Cours Taulignan (nearby the town hall, +33 4 90 36 04 67. Closed on Monday and Wednesday. Traditional French restaurant. from 13.50 € - 29 €.

  • Tourism office, Place du Chanoine Sautel, +33 4 90 36 02 11.
  • Poste office, Place du 11 Novembre (nearby of Tourism office.
  • Association to Protect the Haute Ville, Located in Hotel Beffroi (The Association is maintained by residents of the Haute Ville. Stop in at Hotel Le Beffroi (the Belfry) and ask who is in charge of communications for the APHV.. The Association is a way to keep in touch with the old city (the "Haute Ville"). There are 100 residences up there and the association fights to keep the citadel "special." It's worth it to find out the local seasonal activities. Dues (as of Feb 2018) were € 15. The membership fee to APHV is payable on or after 1 July each year, valid until June 30 next year..

Tourism office, Place du Chanoine Sautel, +33 4 90 36 02 11.

Poste office, Place du 11 Novembre (nearby of Tourism office.

Association to Protect the Haute Ville, Located in Hotel Beffroi (The Association is maintained by residents of the Haute Ville. Stop in at Hotel Le Beffroi (the Belfry) and ask who is in charge of communications for the APHV.. The Association is a way to keep in touch with the old city (the "Haute Ville"). There are 100 residences up there and the association fights to keep the citadel "special." It's worth it to find out the local seasonal activities. Dues (as of Feb 2018) were € 15. The membership fee to APHV is payable on or after 1 July each year, valid until June 30 next year..