Vaison la Romaine

Vaison la Romaine has been a settlement since the Bronze age, but gets its name from the era of Roman occupation. The town has Roman ruins which you can visit and a Roman Theatre which is still in use during the Summer months.

The old town, with its chateau lies on the Colline du Château on one side of the river Ouvèze, the "upper city" and on the opposite bank, the "lower city" with its market, shops and Roman ruins is centered on the Colline de la Villasse.

Vaison market, held on Tuesday mornings, is one of the biggest in the area. Come early to find parking and plan to lunch in one of Vaison's excellent restaurants.

In Vaison there are festivals and events throughout the year:-

Dance :

• The Vaison Dance Festival held at the Antique theatre (in July)

Choral singing :

• The Children’s Choir Festival (July)

• The Choralies (every three 3 years, in August)

• Chorijazz

• Chœur Européen de Vaison-la-Romaine (European Choir)

Music :

• The Friends of Music (annual event)

• Vaison Jazz (in May)

• Music fair (in June)

• Music in the vineyards (August)

• “ Les Floraisons Musicales” (Music In Bloom) (August)

• Blues and Jazz in Vaison (August)

• The Barbara Krakrauer International Music Academy.

Street theatre :

• “ La Nuit Suit Son Cours” (Night festival) (August)

Comic books and literature :

• “ Vaison la Nouvelle” (New Vaison) (June)

• Regional Comic Book Festival (September)

Visual arts :

• Exhibitions at the Ferme des Arts (Arts Farm) (annual event)

Theatre :

• Antique Theatre Week (July)

• Les Tréteaux du Nymphée (Performances at the Nymphée) (August)

• The Town Centre Theatre (annual events).

French chanson :

• Georges Brassens Festival (May)