The theatre of Orange owes its reputation to its exceptional conservation. It presents all the features of latin theatres according to "Vitruve" : the cavea (semicircle steps), lateral acces and the stage wall flanked by parascaenia.
Built to accomodate the gallo-roman public, it was there that were diffused culture and the Roman language.
9000 spectators could attend tragedies, comedies as well as dance shows, acrobatics and juggling.
Forgotten during the IV century, it was transformed there-after into habitations.
The ancient city of Orange seems to have forgotten all previous occupations.
Nothing predisposed the creation of a city at this point of the plain on the north side of the hills.
Winds, floods and marshlands made for hostile natural surroundings.
It was only due to the stubborn tenacity of the Roman state that such a monumental urban project was undertaken.
The ancient city is organised around a religious sanctuary which was modified many times and dedicated to the Emperor.
Its monumental architecture increased the standing of the imperial ideology.
The citizen and the visitors could hardly avoid such an impressive vision.
The regard was attracted firstly to the approach of the arch, then to a skilfully elaborated
view in perspective, step by step, to the summit of the hill, where monuments, temples and porticos completed the setting.
The Roman road, the "Via Agrippa", coming from Lugdunum, changed form after its approach to the arch in a straight line. This, which, from north to south headed towards the hill of Saint Eutrope, through the gates of the city walls, bordering the west side of the forum and arriving at the religious sanctuary.
This monumental arrival, at the edge of the city, by a Triumphal Arch dedicated to the glory of the city founders: the II Gallica veterans then rededicated it to honour the Emperor Tibere.
As well as the honorary function, it symbolically marks the separation between the world of the dead and the living.
Indeed all around the Agrippa Road necropoles extended.
These sepultures and remains were discovered in 1995 in the Fourches-vieilles district.
They show extent, density and wealth.
The "Arc de Triomphe" was built in the north of the city about 70 meters to the north of the city walls. This edifice is a considerably large construction, with 3 arches, whose decorations call to mind the all-powerful Rome.
On the north and south sides, Celtic weapons from the period of independence seem to be fan-shaped on the wall.
On the east and west sides, Celts are represented in chains. These weapons and captives seem to be the eternal trophies, sculpted in stone, a permanent reminder of the domination that the triumphant Rome exercised over the people of the region.
Add to this decor, naval wrecks, prows, oars and vanchers, under the benevolent eye of sirens and marine monsters, in organised chaos, representing the mastery over the maritime world that the victory at Actium gave to Rome.
Finally, on the upper part of the arch, knights and foot soldiers are locked in confrontation, evoking the old "pergamenian" theme which opposes Greek and Galatians who here have become Romans and Celts.
Orange triumph arch and Orange antique theatre have been classified as mankind's patrimonium by the UNESCO. Choregies Orange festivals in July. Nice Provence campanile over the City Hall. Orange is only half an hour from Avignon, famous for its Popes' Palace..
