Planning a Trip

Getting There -- Some 20 trains per day arrive from Avignon (trip time: 20 min.); the one-way fare is around 7€. From Marseille, there are 11 trains per day (trip time: 1 hr., 15 min.) for 21€ one-way. From the Gare de Lyon Paris, you can catch a TGV train to Orange; the one-way fare is 76€, and the trip takes 3 hours. For rail information, call tel. 36-35, or visit www.voyages-sncf.com. For information on bus routes, contact the Gare Routière (tel. 04-90-82-07-35), place Pourtoules, behind the Théâtre Antique. If you're driving from Paris, take A6 south to Lyon, then A7 to Orange. The 684km (425-mile) drive takes 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours.

Visitor Information -- The Office de Tourisme is at 5 cours Aristide-Briand (tel. 04-90-34-70-88; fax 04-90-34-99-62; www.otorange.fr).

Special Events -- From July 11 to August 4, a drama, dance, and music festival called Les Chorégies d'Orange takes place at the Théâtre Antique, one of the most evocative ancient theaters in Europe. For information or tickets, visit or contact the office, 18 place Sylvain, adjacent to the theater (tel. 04-90-34-24-24; fax 04-90-11-04-04; www.choregies.asso.fr).