Ancient Theatre of Orange

UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Antique Theatre of Orange is an extraordinary testimony of Roman civilization with exceptional acoustics in Provence.

The audioguided tour brings you back the history of the Ancient Theatre of Orange. Discover also the Museum of Art and History, which traces the history of Orange from antiquity to the 20th century.

The Ancient Theatre of Orange presents all the components of the Latin theatre according to Vitruvius: the cavea (bleachers in the hemicycle), the side accesses and the stage wall flanked by parascenia. Designed to welcome the Gallo-Roman audience, it was through this venue that the dissemination of Roman culture and language passed. 9,000 spectators were able to attend tragedies, comedies, as well as performances of dance, acrobatics and juggling.

Columns and numerous statues in niches originally decorated the stage wall. Burned in the fourth century, the theatre lost its primary function. Its location at the foot of the hill makes it an element of the defense of the city. Over time, it is invaded by houses and becomes a real residential neighborhood.
It was necessary to wait until the 19th century for the revival of the Ancient Theatre as a place of show. Auguste Caristie, chief architect of Historic Monuments, is responsible for its restoration.

Nowadays, the theatre hosts tens of thousands of spectators every year for various summer events including the famous Choregies.