Vaison: Roman and Medieval .....

1st stage

Let us begin our day with the visit from 2 various Roman sites: the District of Puymin and the district of Villasse.

These 2 sites are mainly made up of streets bordered of shops and dwellings of city or artisanal districts. The width of the luxurious urban habitats makes the originality of Vaison, compared with its colleagues of Provence, Arles, Nimes Orange...

Let us start with Puymin and the House of the Apollo gilded, house occupying 2000m2 whereas its extension towards the south remains unknown. Then let us return in the House to the Arbour, of 3000 m2, made up starting from a modest habitat of the 1st century before J-C, in the heart of an agricultural field.

Continue your strolls towards the sanctuary with gantry, vast partially released monument, which had the role the walk and the worship. A little further, of the mouldings of sculptures were placed such as Diadumène, the Hadrian emperor and his Sabine wife. Join then the district of workshops and modest residences.

Let us take height with the visit of the Ancient Theatre, the 1st century of our era, as architecture and the imperial statuary testify some. Its dimensions and its structure made it possible to receive approximately 6000 spectators. Part reserved to the actors are still visible the vestiges of the wall of before scene and the 12 cavities intended for the mechanism of the curtain.

To finish the visit of Puymin, the archaeological Museum Théo Desplans, exposes to the public the objects delivered by the archaeological excavations.

Let us pass now to the district of Villasse with the street of the shops. This splendid street is one of the most outstanding examples of the town planning of Vasio. The trade of the 1^st floor are identifiable by their provision and the threshold of groove which was used to fix the stall of sale.

 

Low, the entry of the House of the Silver Bust took seat between two shops (5000 m2 on the ground of surface). Side is, the walkers skirted other open trade on a broad pavement before arriving towards the frontage of the Thermal baths of the Center.

This thermal unit intended for the baths and the physical exercises was built towards 10-20 after J-C. In the current of the 1st century of our era, it lost its public character and was integrated in the plan of the House of the Silver Bust.

Continue your visit towards the House with the Dolphin, remains which at the 1st century before our era was a farm, then in 2nd century after J-C sees its environment in an urban way. Finish your escapade in Vaison the Roman, while directing you towards the Gallo-Roman bridge, bond with the medieval city, on the heights, composed of only one arch of 17m of length and 9m broad.

2nd stage

Let us begin this second stage while plunging us in the medieval part of the city, called "Upper town".

The districts are organized with the foot of the castle, built in 1195 per Raymond VI, count de Toulouse, to affirm its authority against the bishop. One enters the borough by a strengthened door of 14th century which the tower of the belfry dominates.

While moving on the rock hillock, you will be able to discover the church cathedral, whose stone frontage of size is of style Jesuit. This building, modified with the wire of time, was forsaken in 1897 at the time of the resumption of the worship in the Cathedral Our Lady of Nazareth.

But before visiting it the latter, made a halt with the castle, composed of 3 bodies of buildings, flanked of a square keep surrounding an interior court. Go down again to the heart of the city, and will discover there you the Cathedral Our Lady of Nazareth and its Romance cloister, classified Historic buildings in 1840. Built in 11th century then altered at the next century, its architecture is a very beautiful example of the Romanesque art of Provence. One of its characteristics is the presence of ancient vestiges which were employed again at the time of its construction

Finish your city tour by shopping in the narrow lanes of the Upper town.

Notes: Traditional market Tuesday morning.

Possibility of a passport for the visit of the site of Puymin, Villasse and the cloister:

- 7€ / adult

- 4,50€ / adult if group.

- Schedules to be consulted.