Ascension in Orange

Of course the city of Orange is meant, about 25 miles from our cottage. And Ascension Day is late this year, on 2 June. Soon we reach the old Roman town.
At Cours Pourtoules we see a garage in which we drive our car. Too hasty, as we note later. But here we are in the middle of the city.

Although today is a holiday in France,almost the entire city is a huge marketplace. Most impressive are the stalls with fruit and vegetables. Melons, cherries, eggplants, zucchinis (they are called courgettes here), cucumbers and tomatoes, but also many varieties of onions dominate the tables of the farmers from the surrounding area.



Just outside the city center is one of the testimonies of the Roman past: the Arc de Triomphe d'Orange. But it's not really correct:
It is not a triumphal arch but a city's founding arch, we read in the guidebook. No matter, it's always impressive. It is the largest, best preserved arch from the Roman period and was built in the 1st century BC.

The triumphal arch is remarkable even for drivers: here is the "Parking gratuit" the free parking. Too late!

The absolute highlight of any visit to Orange is the Ancient Theatre in the heart of the city. Built in the 1st century A.D., it is still always in operation with 7000 seats and excellent acoustics. Every year an Opera Festival held here, as many posters and pictures to show us. The acoustics, we can enjoy, as a small choir was formed and sang. The rising rows of seats are laid out at the slope of a hill, whose rocky ground was partially penetrated even to make room for passages.

Total view of the stage	Emperor Augustus is a permanent guest in all performances	Detail view

In the Middle Ages, the theater was used as a quarry. These barbarians! Later used it as a prison. Not much better. And since 1869 (when the theater was restored) here again theater and concert performances.

A nice thing about the tour is that every visitor receives an audio guide. So you can find information in German on the spot.


Just across the theater is a nice cafe. Here we allow ourselves a fresh rosé, the "national drink" of the Provençals.

A votre santé!