Travel

10 Must-See Ancient Sites in Provence, France

Interactive Map of Ancient Sites in Provence

Interactive Map of Ancient Sites

Provence has inherited a rich legacy from antiquity, boasting some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Europe. In the second century BCE, the Romans began their conquest of the region and called it “Provincia Romana,” giving us the region’s present name, “Provence.” Thanks to the Pax Romana, which was to last for several centuries, the province, later renamed “Gallia Narbonensis” (after its capital “Narbo Martius” which is present-day Narbonne, France), experienced a period of unprecedented growth. Roads, bridges, and aqueducts were built to eliminate the isolation of the conquered territories, and there are hundreds of ancient sites in Provence. Additionally, replicas of the major monuments of Rome were raised in many urban centers.

Scattered throughout Provence, there are countless antique monuments that have survived the centuries, allowing us to enjoy what was once a vibrant part of the Roman Empire. On a recent trip to Provence, I followed Roman roads, crossed Roman bridges, and marveled at Roman theaters, arenas, and temples. Here is a list of 10 must-see ancient sites in Provence, France.

1. Nîmes

Nîmes was known to the Romans as “Nemausus”, and it is one of the most impressive ancient sites in France. (It is technically located in Languedoc-Roussillon, but the city has historic and strong ties to Provence.) The name is believed to have been derived from the Celtic god of the spring that originally provided water for the settlement. It was the capital of the Volcae Arecomici — a Gaulish tribe which surrendered to the Roman Republic in 121 BCE — and became a Roman colony sometime before c. 28 BCE. The city has produced wonderful Roman architectural remains including the so-called Maison Carrée (Square House), an admirably preserved first century BCE Corinthian temple commissioned by Marcus Agrippa (right-hand man, son-in-law, and intended successor of Caesar Augustus).

The Maison Carrée, Nîmes © Carole Raddato

The Maison Carrée, Nîmes
© Carole Raddato

The Maison Carrée, Nîmes © Carole Raddato

The Maison Carrée, Nîmes
© Carole Raddato

An excellent new film, “Nemausus: The Birth of Nîmes,” is being shown daily every 30 minutes at the Maison Carrée. Shot partially in the Cinecittà studios in Rome, the 22-minute film takes you to the heart of the story of how Nîmes was founded, through the eyes of one family from 55 BCE-90 CE. (You can see trailer here.)

The Amphitheatre of Nîmes, built around 70 CE © Carole Raddato

The Amphitheater of Nîmes built around c. 70 CE
© Carole Raddato

The amphitheater of Nîmes, known as “les Arènes,” is one of the best preserved in Europe. Built around 70 CE, it could seat upwards of 24,000 spectators. Presently, it still draws large crowds during its two annual bullfights and other public events in the summer.

Other places of interest include the Augusteum/nymphaeum (the so-called Temple of Diana), the Tour Magne and the Porte d’Auguste (the only remnants of the ancient Augustan fortifications) as well as the Castellum divisorium (the terminal point of the aqueduct that brought water to the city).

The Tour Magne, remnant of the ancient Augustan fortifications of Nemausus, Nîmes © Carole Raddato

The Tour Magne, remnant of the ancient Augustan fortifications of Nemausus, Nîmes
© Carole Raddato

The Porte d’Auguste, part of the fortifications of Nemausus © Carole Raddato

The Porte d’Auguste, part of the fortifications of Nemausus, Nîmes
© Carole Raddato

The so-called Temple de Diane, part of an Augusteum (a sanctuary devoted to the cult of the emperor and his family © Carole Raddato

The so-called Temple of Diana, part of an Augusteum, Nîmes 
© Carole Raddato

Eagerly anticipated is the future Musée de la Romanité (Museum of Roman Civilization), which is scheduled to open in 2017. It is intended to house the collections of the current Archaeological Museum of Nîmes — some 25,000 pieces including exquisite mosaics. The project is currently exhibited at the Galerie du Musée Archéologique where you can get a glimpse of the future museum.

2. Pont du Gard

A true masterpiece of ancient architecture, the Pont du Gard aqueduct is one of the most beautiful Roman ruins in all of Europe. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

The Pont du Gard is a Roman monument built halfway through the 1st century AD © Carole Raddato

The magnificent Pont du Gard spanning the Gardon River
© Carole Raddato

The Pont du Gard was part of an extended channel built to carry water to Nîmes from a source immediately to the north of the city. The difference in level between the two ends of the aqueduct is only 17 m (56 ft) or an average of 34 cm (13 in) per km, while the bridge descends by a mere 2.5 cm (1 in). The construction of the aqueduct has long been credited to Augustus’ son-in-law Marcus Agrippa (64/63-12 BCE), but more recent excavations suggest the construction may have taken place between c. 40-60 CE.

On the site of the Pont du Gard, you will find a museum tracing the history of the Roman aqueduct, and water in the Roman world. Models, virtual reconstructions, multimedia screens, and sounds whisk you into the world of the Romans.

Pont du Gard  © Carole Raddato

The Pont du Gard
© Carole Raddato

The Pont du Gard has inspired generations of visitors through the centuries. Maybe, like the famous philosophe Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778 CE) visiting the Pont du Gard  in 1738, you will exclaim in amazement, “Why was I not born a Roman!?” (Take a 360º tour of the Pont du Gard here.)

3. Arles

Once called the “little Rome of Gaul,” Arles (or Arelate in Latin) occupied an important strategic position at the crossroads between Italy and Spain. In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar founded a Roman colony in this city, which had supported him in his long struggle against Pompey. Consequently, the city changed and splendid Roman buildings were built. A number of these Roman structures are still standing. These include the amphitheater (Arènes d’Arles) and the theater (Théâtre Antique), remains of a circus, baths (Thermae of Constantine), a necropolis (the Alyscamps), and a large cryptoporticus built as foundations for the forum. The Roman and romanesque monuments in Arles have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1981.

The Arles Amphitheatre, built in 90 AD © Carole Raddato

The Arles Amphitheater, built in 90 CE
© Carole Raddato

The Roman Theatre of Arles © Carole Raddato

The Roman Theater of Arles
© Carole Raddato

Vestiges of the façade of a 2nd AD temple belonging to the Roman Forum of Arelate © Carole Raddato

Vestiges of the façade of a second century CE temple at the Roman Forum, Arles
© Carole Raddato

Arles made headlines around the world in 2008 when a bust, thought to be of Julius Caesar, was found at the bottom of the Rhône River. Although its identification has been disputed, it is generally considered to be the only known portrait-bust of Julius Caesar carved during his lifetime.

Marble bust found in the Rhone River near Arles, debated as a possible portrait of Julius Caesar, Musée de l'Arles antique © Carole Raddato

This marble bust discovered in the Rhône River, near Arles, is debated as a possible portrait of Julius Caesar, Musée de l’Arles antique
© Carole Raddato

4. Vaison-la-Romaine

With the gradual romanization of the city of Narbonensis, present-day Vaison-la-Romaine (Vasio in Latin) became one of  the wealthiest cities in Roman Provence. Nowhere in Provence does a city feel as “Roman” as in Vaison. The ruined remains of the Gallo-Roman city that flourished here, between the first and third centuries CE, cover two main sites: La Villasse and Puymin. At La Villasse, a magnificent paved street, raised and colonnaded, runs straight through the central district, flanked by luxurious houses, shops, baths, gardens, and fountains. At Puymin, you can see the remains of the Roman theater (heavily restored), a rich private domus of exceptional size, as well as a porticoed sanctuary.

A large Domus at La Villasse, the Dolphin House (2700 m2) Vasio Vocontiorum, Vaison-la-Romaine © Carole Raddato

A large domus at La Villasse, the Dolphin House, Vaison-la-Romaine
© Carole Raddato

The partially excavated House of the Laurelled Apollo at Puymin, Vaison-la-Romaine © Carole Raddato

The partially excavated House of the Laurelled Apollo at Puymin, Vaison-la-Romaine
© Carole Raddato

The Roman bridge — built in the first century BCE — spans the Ouvèze River, linking the lower part of the city to the upper medieval part of town. The bridge is unique due to its semicircular 17 m (55 ft) arch. It is still in use and survived a devastating flood, which caused great damage on September 22, 1992.

The 1st century CE Roman bridge at Vaison-la-Romaine © Carole Raddato

The first century CE Roman bridge at Vaison-la-Romaine
© Carole Raddato

The Museum of Vaison-la-Romaine, which can be found at the heart of the archaeological remains of Puymin, has some very fine artifacts including the splendid “Peacock Mosaic,” which is 33 m² (355 ft²). There are also marble statues of Hadrian and his wife, Sabina, located in the Roman theater.

The Peacock Mosaic, middle of 2nd century CE, Musée Theo Desplan, Vaison-la-Romaine © Carole Raddato

“The Peacock Mosaic,” middle of second century CE, Musée Theo Desplan, Vaison-la-Romaine
© Carole Raddato

5. Glanum

At the heart of the magnificent Alpilles mountains, lies the impressive archaeological site of Glanum at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, which features the remains of important religious and civic monuments. These ruins present a fine example of ancient urban development. Originally a simple Gaulish settlement built by the Salyens around a sacred spring in the sixth century BCE, the city later expanded due to contact with the ancient Greeks. Glanum also benefited from the construction of the Via Domitia and became a Roman colony in the early years of Augustus’ reign (27 BCE-14 CE). Today, Glanum is particularly known for two well-preserved Roman monuments of the first century BCE, known locally as “les antiques”: a mausoleum (one of the best-preserved monuments from the ancient world) and a triumphal arch (one of the earliest built in France).

The Mausoleum of the Julii and Triumphal Arch, Glanum © Carole Raddato

The Mausoleum of the Julii and Triumphal Arch, Glanum
© Carole Raddato

Meanwhile, the ruins of the residential area sit in a narrow valley sloping up from the north to the higher southern end. At the northern end was the residential quarter, with the public baths, and at the southern end, was the sacred quarter, with the spring and grotto. In the center was the monumental quarter, the site of the forum and public buildings.

Overview of Glanum © Carole Raddato

Overview of Glanum
© Carole Raddato

The House of the Antae, a Hellenistic-style residence with rooms laid out around a courtyard with a pool, Glanum © Carole Raddato

The House of the Antae, a Hellenistic-style residence with rooms laid out around a courtyard, Glanum
© Carole Raddato

The Hellenistic Bouleteurion with the partially reconstructed temple in the background, Glanum © Carole Raddato

The Hellenistic Bouleteurion with the partially reconstructed temple in the background, Glanum
© Carole Raddato

6. Orange

Located in the heart of the Rhône Valley, the Théâtre antique d’Orange is, without a doubt, one of the finest and most interesting ruins from the Roman era. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981. Its magnificent scaenae frons (stage wall) is incredibly well-preserved. The cavea could hold as many as 10,000 spectators and was divided into three separate sections to accommodate spectators according to their social rank. The Roman Theater of Orange was a great center for entertainment in Roman times and still draws large audiences to musical events even today.

The Ancient Theatre of Orange © Carole Raddato

The Ancient Theater of Orange
© Carole Raddato

The 20m-high (65 ft-high) Triumphal Arch of Orange, built during the reign of Augustus on the Via Agrippa (a road leading to Lyon, France), is one of the largest and best preserved of its kind. Erected as a tribute to the veterans of the Second Gallic legion, who founded the town, the arch is richly decorated with various low reliefs commemorating the establishment of the Pax Romana. Eventually the monument was dedicated to Emperor Tiberius (r. 14-37 CE) to commemorate the victories of General Germanicus over the German tribes in the Rhineland.

Triumphal Arch of Orange © Carole Raddato

The Triumphal Arch of Orange
© Carole Raddato

In the Art and History Museum of Orange, just opposite the ancient theater, exhibits a delightful and impressive work of Roman art: a recently restored centaur mosaic. Reliefs that decorated the stage wall of the theater are also on display in the rooms of the ground floor.

The Centaur Mosaic, dating to the late 2nd century - early 3rd century CE, Orange Museum © Carole Raddato

The Centaur Mosaic, dating to the late second century-early third century CE, Orange Museum
© Carole Raddato

7. The Pont Flavien

In Provence, as everywhere else, the Romans proved what outstanding engineers they were by adapting bridges to meet the geophysical characteristics of rivers. Of all the bridges built in the province, the Pont Flavien, at Saint-Chamas, is the only surviving example of a Roman bridge flanked by triumphal arches. The name “Flavien” refers to a certain Lucius Donnius Flavius, and an inscription on the bridge itself states that it was built at his instigation. The bridge was completed around c. 12 BCE and consists of a single arch spanning the Toulourde River on the Via Julia Augusta.

The Pont Flavien, a late 1st century BC Roman bridge across the River Touloubre © Carole Raddato

The Pont Flavien, Saint-Chamas
© Carole Raddato

8. Ambrussum

Ambrussum is a magnificent Gallo-Roman archaeological site which has revealed an exceptional collection of buildings from the Gallic and Roman periods. It is close to the modern town Lunel, located between Nîmes and Montpellier. The site is notable for its Iron age settlement, its Roman staging post on the Via Domitia and its celebrated bridge spanning the Vidourle River, the Pont Ambroix. At the end of the fourth century BCE, a Gaulish tribe — the Volscians — settled and built a city surrounded by strong ramparts and towers (some of which can still be seen). The Romans conquered the area in 120 BCE and the city grew rapidly; thereafter, a new district was created next to the Vidourle River, serving as a staging post for travelers. The Via Domitia ran at the foot of the settlement. A paved road, leading out of the settlement, is with visible along with the traces of Roman chariot tracks.

The paved way, Ambrussum

A paved road in Ambrussum, Lunel

The Ambroix Bridge is unquestionably the most spectacular ruin of this ancient site. It is an impressive work of engineering, which allowed the Via Domitia to cross the Vidourle River. It is thought to have had 11 arches and to have been over 175 m (574 ft) in length. Unfortunately, the ravages of time and the numerous floods took out all but one arch. Two had stood as recently as 81 years ago — which are reflected in Gustave Courbet’s famous 1857 painting of the bridge — but a violent flood in 1933 left only one arch standing.

The remaining arch of Pont Ambroix, a 1st century BC Roman bridge © Carole Raddato

The remaining arch of Pont Ambroix, Lunel
© Carole Raddato

9. The Pont Julien

The Pont Julien, owning its name to the nearby city of Apt (Julia Apta in Latin), whose territory it was built upon, is a beautiful three-arched bridge spanning over the Calavon River. Today, it is close to the town of Bonnieux, France. It was originally built in 3 BCE on the Via Domitia, an important Roman road that connected Italy and Spain through the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. (Gallia Narbonensis encompassed Roussillon, Languedoc, and Provence in southern France.) The Pont Julien is perfectly preserved and remained in use until a neighboring bridge was built in 2005. However, it is now reserved for pedestrians and cyclists only.

The Pont Julien, a 3 BCE Roman arch bridge over the Calavon river built on the Via Domitia © Carole Raddato

The Pont Julien, Bonnieux
© Carole Raddato

10. Les Trémaïé

Below the medieval citadel and ruined castle of Les Baux-de-Provence stands a bas-relief skillfully carved on a block of limestone known as “Les Trémaïé.” It depicts three life-size standing figures; a man and two women, in Roman clothing. Archaeologists have generally believed that the carvings date from the Augustan period. However the characters’ identities are hotly debated. Some see the figures as the Roman consul, Marius, his wife, Julia, and the Syrian prophetess, Martha. Traditionally, Christians have seen the “Three Marys” (hence the name “Trémaïé”), all of whom were followers of Christ. An epitaph was identified below the bas-relief, states with absolute certainty that this was a Gallo-Roman votive relief.

Les Trémaïé, bas-relief carved out from rock-cut hill depicting hows three Roman characters, it may represent Caius Marius and his wife Julia © Carole Raddato

Les Trémaïé, a bas-relief carved out from a rock-cut hill depicting Roman figures, Les Baux-de-Provence
© Carole Raddato

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Carole Raddato's favourite hobby is travelling and for the last 8 years she has taken a huge interest in the history of the ancient world. She has dedicated all her free time to this passion. She loves to share with other history fans all the incredible facts and stories that she discovers throughout her journeys. She is neither a professional photographer nor an ancient history scholar, but she hopes that everybody can enjoy her photos. She is particularly interested in everything related to the emperor Hadrian whom she finds fascinating. He was himself an incessant traveller, visiting every province in the Empire during his reign. When Carole is looking for new ideas for her travels, she usually takes inspiration from his journeys and it is a great motivation for her to follow him in his footsteps.