Vaison la Romaine

Over several centuries, Vaison la Romaine grew up on the banks of the Ouveze River.
On the left side of the river is the Vieux Ville or Ancient village crowned by the ruins of the ancient chateau - with the old roads winding their way up to it.






On the right bank is the "new" village which dates back to roman times and which display many, many excellent examples of Roman ruins for which Vaison la Romaine is well known. 

Amongst the attractions in the town are:
the House of Messii, at the north end of the town's center;
Pompeii's Portico and a 6000 seat Roman Theater in the same area. 
Closer to the center of the town, in the Quartier la Villasse
are the excavated ruins of houses, streets and baths.

The two sides of this town are joined by a simple yet one of the most beautiful examples of Roman bridges which was built in the 1st Century AD.



Vaison has a wide range of shops, where you will be
able to find everything from souveniers of Provence,
to groceries at one of the supermarkets on the route de Nyons,
hardware stores, sports stores, a fabulous cheese shop, patisseries and boucheries.
Vaison has a many, many restaurants where you will be able to find
whatever food you are looking for (see the Restaurant page for some of our favorites).  During the summer months, Vaison is lively with concerts (music & dance)
as well as live theatre.   

The Vaison la Romaine Market, held each Tuesday morning is well worth visiting.  The whole town gets involved, as the market winds its way from the banks of the river, through the town and around the Place du Monfort, all the way to the Route de Nyons and the the Roman theatre.