Vaison-la-Romaine

Vaison splits in two across the Ouveze: on the north bank the modern town sits over the Roman city, with two excavated quarters of houses, streets, shops and a theatre open to walk through, plus a Romanesque cathedral; on the south bank the medieval haute ville climbs to a ruined castle, reached over a Roman bridge built in the first century. In September 1992 a flash flood raised the Ouveze more than fifteen metres, destroyed a modern bridge, wrecked buildings and killed dozens; the Roman bridge held, with only its parapet lost, and is still the crossing.

What you actually see

• The Roman bridge - a first-century span that survived the 1992 flood.
• The excavated quarters - Puymin and La Villasse with houses and streets.
• The Roman theatre - a bowl still used for a summer festival.
• The haute ville - a medieval upper town under a ruined castle.

When to go

April to October; the Tuesday market is one of the largest in Provence. Summer heat on the excavations is heavy with no shade. The upper town climb is steep.

Honest expectations

The excavations are foundations and low walls rather than standing buildings. The two Roman quarters and the upper town are separate walks. Market day makes parking difficult.

Nearby

The Dentelles de Montmirail lie south; Orange is southwest.