658km (409 miles) S of Paris; 55km (34 miles) NE of Nîmes; 26km (16 miles) S of Avignon
Antiquities-rich Orange was not named for citrus fruit, but as a dependency of the Dutch House of Orange-Nassau during the Middle Ages. It is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Europe’s third-largest triumphal arch and its best-preserved Roman theatre. Louis XIV, who once considered moving the theatre to Versailles, claimed: “It is the finest wall in my kingdom.” The Théâtre Antique is now the site of Les Chorégies d’Orange (www.choregies.fr), a summertime opera and classical music festival.
Just 10km (6 miles) south along the D68 is Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a prestigious appellation known for its bold red wines. Spend an afternoon visiting the village’s numerous tasting rooms, winding your way up to the ruins of a castle that served as a summer residence for Pope John XXII. A prime place to best to try a wide selection of top wines is at the Vinothèque, or wine library, of Vinadea (www.vinadea.com), where a union of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are stored. A 25€ dégustation of five wines accompanies a historical lesson about the region, all held in a cool cellar.
Wine-lovers may also drop into the Maison Brotte Wine Museum, av. Saint Pierre de Luxembourg (www.brotte.com; tel. 04-90-83-59-44). Displays include ancient vineyard tools and a 17th-century wooden wine press. The museum is open daily 9am to 5:45 pm. Admission is 12€.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
