The Best Things to Do in Vaison-la-Romaine

The Roman remains at Vaison-la-Romaine are all in good condition for tourists to visit. First, there is the 2,000-metre-square villa of Apollo, which boasts the remains of marble flooring and a thermal bath. Secondly, an immense 3,000-metre-square house, La Maison à la Tonnelle, which was divided into a public section for entertaining, a private home for the family and another part that housed animals and grain. The third attraction is a sanctuary where Roman people could pay homage to local and national personalities and the architecture reflects this; it’s full of grand doorways, elegant columns, a big pool and many statues of Emperors and their wives. Finally, wander the remains of the Roman theatre, which was probably built in the first century AD and which has been protected as a historical monument since 1862. This last is an impressive relic of a bygone age when it could entertain up to 3,000 spectators at a time. It was probably used until the fifth century at which time (in the year 407) Emperor Honorius ordered the dismantling of any pagan monuments. The whole site is currently undergoing restoration and is well worth a visit.

The Romans retreated from Vaison-la-Romaine in the fifth century and the village was incorporated into the area known as Provence. Throughout the Middle Ages, many local families contested ownership of land and their right to rule the region. The pope eventually stepped in to solve the town’s disputes and, in 1251, allocated land and villas under a treaty. The pope took ownership of the castle, Château Comtal, at the same time and the village gradually built itself up around the hill below. Present day locals mostly live on the opposite side of the river, although there are still some small cottages and the occasional shop on the path up to the castle. Wander the sublime alleys draped with ivy, take photos and eat a crêpe or ice cream before you leave.

Overlooking the entire town, perched on a giant rock, Château Comtal offers unrivalled views of the surrounding area. There are few signs so just keep walking uphill to find it, through the winding medieval streets – it can be steep in places but there is a handrail to help on some of the several routes up. Château Comtal was built in 1185 to celebrate the Count of Toulouse’s reign and was later fortified in the 13th century when a dungeon was added. The Catholic Church took possession in 1274 and it’s now run by the French government as a historic monument.

Ever since 1483, Vaison-la-Romaine has held a weekly market but it wasn’t until Pope Clement VII fixed the day by decree in 1583 that it became a regular Tuesday event. It runs from 8am to 1pm and takes over the whole town – on the streets, pavements and in every alleyway – selling local produce as well as everyday items. Buy a plate of delicious prawns or paella from a stallholder, take a seat and watch the market people go by, much as they have for centuries.

The river Ouvèze made headlines 26 years ago in the worst possible way; after several days of torrential rainfall in September 1992, the banks flooded and Vaison-la-Romaine was inundated with water on both sides. Cross the Roman bridge built in the first century, which links the Medieval and Roman parts of the town, and visit the memorial commemorating the 38 dead. You can also see the plaque that records the astonishing level the water reached – on that fateful day, the river was above head height on the bridge, which itself is several metres above current day river levels. Now, the river is a star attraction in a more positive way. Take a walk along its banks, have a picnic on the tables underneath the Roman bridge and paddle your feet in the much calmer river of today.