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Located at the crossroad of
3 motorways, Orange is the starting point to discover Provence,
Camargue, the Ardeche Gorges and the Southern Drôme.
Visit the natural sites,
cities and villages of Provence and surrounding environments.
Consult us for the discovery
sites:
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Orange the Roman
On the roads of the Mont Ventoux
Luberon villages
Going down the Rhône
until Avignon
Nîmes and the "pont du
Gard"
Ardeche Gorges
The beautiful Camargue
Arles and the Alpilles
The Southern Drôme castles
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Orange the Roman

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City of Roman law, founded
by 35 before Jesus Christ, Orange is the witness of the Roman
splendour in Provence. Called city of the Princes, it can boast
about its Antic Theatre (the best preserved European theatre with
its 103 m long and 37 m high scene wall), and its monumental 3 doors
Triumph Arch, both of them being ranked in the UNESCO world
patrimony. All the periods of the past have left marks in Orange:
private mansions, temples and churches, ruins of the castle of the
Princes Nassau.
But Orange remains at first
a typical city of Provence with a characteristic and omnipresent
atmosphere: small places, fountains and pedestrian precincts. |
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On the roads of the Mont Ventoux |
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As from Orange, cross the
vineyards with the prestigious names, drive along the Montmirail
laces, put in at Séguret, village set high up in the mountains, then
go towards Vaison the Roman to admire the Roman monuments and the
castle of the “high city”. Then go up to the Giant of Provence
culminating at 1912 m, by Malaucene, and go back to Bédoin or Sault,
the country of the lavender and the Gorges of the Nesque. |
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Luberon villages
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Start from Isle sur la Sorgue and Fontaine de Vaucluse, with their
sorgues and paddle wheels and the famous resurgence. The road will
lead afterwards to the beautiful village of Gordes and its castle, its
bories (shepherds houses built of dry stone) and to the Abbay of
Sénanque (XIIth century). Then visit Roussillon, ochre earth. If you
have time, you should come back by the perched village of Opède and
Cavaillon. |
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Going down the Rhône
until Avignon
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Leaving Orange, go towards Roquemaure and Châteauneuf du Pape (the
ruins of the papal castle, the museum of the winegrower, the Castelain
chocolate factory and the famous vineyard). Cross then the vineyards
until Avignon, entering by going along the Rhône (wonderful view on
the Popes Palace and the Benezet Bridge), After visiting Avignon,
cross the Rhône via Villeneuve les Avignon (the XIIIth century
chartreuse of the Benedictins Valley and the Saint André fortress).
Back to Orange by Sauveterre and Roquemaure by going along the rhône. |
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Nîmes
and the "Pont du Gard"
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In Remoulins,
discover the bridge of the Gard, Roman aqueduct spared by the time
and stately erected in a verdure site. From there go to Uzès and
admire the Menestrel Tower (XIst century) and the Dukes castle. Take
the time to go to Nîmes and see the Gardens of the Fountain (XVIIIth
century), the Square House, the Magne Tower… |
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Ardeche
Gorges
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From Orange, on the way of Pont Saint Esprit and Saint Martin
d’Ardèche, the door of the Gorge, follow the 37km panoramic road,
with an unimpeded view as far as Vallon Pont d’Arc. On the tour,
visit the caves and the prehistoric museums of the Orgnac and Marzal
Avens. |
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The beautiful Camargue
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The landscapes,
fauna and flora of Camargue, the Vacares Pond, the Salines of Giraud
and Saintes Maries de la Mer and the fortified medieval city of
Aigues Mortes. |
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Arles and the Alpilles
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All the wonders of the Alpilles:
Arles, Saint Rémy de Provence, Baux de Provence. From the Antics to
the Daudet Mill, the Abbay of Montmajour inspiration source of
Vincent Van Gogh. |
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The Southern Drôme castles
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Very close to Orange,
Grignan is well-known thanks to the long stays of Mme de Sevigné.
The castle entirely renovated and XIIIth century furnished dominates
majestically the village of Grignan. Not far from there, the
picturesque village of Suze la Rousse and its stately feudal castle,
presently the University of the Wine, should be visited. |
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Visit
also our page Culture
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Ask all details and booklets
at your arrival at the Louvre hotel or previously book them at the CDT
of Vaucluse (see partners sites). |
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