Vaison la Romaine

Discover Vaison-la-Romaine, a beautiful town in the Vaucluse

50 km northeast of Avignon and just 30 km from Orange, Vaison-la-Romaine stretches between vine-covered hills and the banks of the Ouvèze River.

Known for its exceptional ancient ruins and charming medieval center, the town combines heritage, nature, and Provençal charm. Here, you can go from cobbled streets to Gallo-Roman sites in just a few steps, with the summit of Mont Ventoux as a backdrop.

A setting at the crossroads of Provence and the Dentelles de Montmirail

Vaison-la-Romaine enjoys a unique location: nestled against the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, with the silhouette of Mont Ventoux to the southeast. The clear, golden light makes the light-colored stones and tiled roofs sparkle.

The town is crossed by the Ouvèze, a small river with a Roman bridge – still in use – connecting the lower town to the narrow streets of the old hilltop village. Here, every view is a living map: ochre facades, shaded terraces, dark green cypress trees and deep blue skies.

Stroll through Vaison-la-Romaine

The tour begins on the left bank, in the lower town, with the archaeological sites of La Villasse and Puymin. You'll walk along ancient cobbled streets lined with mosaics, columns, and ruins of Roman villas. The scent of pine trees and the song of cicadas accompany you on your stroll.

Crossing the Roman bridge – a 2,000-year-old feat of engineering – you reach the medieval town. The climb to the count's castle is via narrow, often stepped streets. The old doors, arches and flower-filled balconies give each turn a special charm.

At the top, near the ramparts, the view opens up over the Ouvèze valley, the Dentelles mountains and, on a clear day, the Alpilles to the south.

Emblematic sites

Ancient sites

La Villasse and Puymin offer more than 15 hectares of open-air ruins. Here you can discover thermal baths, a Roman theater still used for performances in the summer, and patrician houses decorated with mosaics. Fun fact: some of them already had underfloor heating systems.

The Roman bridge

Built in the 1st century, it has withstood all the floods of the Ouvèze, including that of 1992. Its unique and massive arch is still impressive today.

The medieval town

Perched on a rocky spur, it still has its ramparts, covered passageways, and stone houses with irregular roofs. The count's castle, even in ruins, dominates the landscape.

Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth Cathedral

An 11th-century Romanesque building, remarkable for its cloister and sculpted capitals. The atmosphere is serene, almost timeless.

The Provençal market

Every Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m., the streets and squares are covered with more than 400 stalls selling sun-ripened fruit, goat cheese, fragrant olives, Provençal herbs, and local wines. The atmosphere is warm and authentic.

View from the castle

From the top of the old town, you can see Mont Ventoux, the Dentelles mountains and the tightly packed roofs of the lower town: a typical panorama of Haute-Provence.

Local life and events

Vaison lives to the rhythm of its Tuesday market, one of the most famous in the Vaucluse. In summer, the Chorégies and concerts at the ancient theater attract artists and spectators from all over the world.

In September, the Vaison Ventoux VTT mountain bike race brings together athletes on the surrounding trails, while the grape harvest season enlivens the vineyards.

In terms of gastronomy, the local cuisine features local products such as Nyons AOP olive oil, Ventoux truffles, and Gigondas and Vacqueyras wines.