Vasio (present day Vaison-la-romaine) became one of the wealthiest cities in Roman Provence. The ruined remains of the Gallo-Roman city include a Roman bridge from the first century BCE which is still in use in addition to two main sites.

At La Villasse, a magnificent paved street, raised and colonnaded, runs straight through the central district, flanked by luxurious houses, shops, baths, gardens, and fountains. At Puymin, you can see the remains of the Roman theatre (heavily restored), a rich private domicile of exceptional size, and a porticoed sanctuary.

The archeological museum is in the centre of the Pymin site and includes a rich collection of artefacts such as this burial mask and many imperial statues from the wall of the Roman theatre.

Once called the little Rome of Gaul, Arelate, (modern day Arles) was a significant Rhône River trading centre for the Romans. A number of Roman structures from the period are still standing including a finely preserved amphitheatre ( les Arènes d’Arles), a theatre, the baths (Thermae of Constantine), a fascinating necropolis (the Alyscamps), A UNESCO World Heritage Site also for the remains of its Romanesque (early Christian history), Arles made headlines recently when a bust of Julius Caesar, was found and is considered to be the only known portrait-bust of Julius Caesar carved during his lifetime. Les Arènes remains a site for concerts and special event including bull-fights and exciting bull-running events.

Don’t miss Alyscamps, the largest graveyard in Gaul, which follows the custom of the Romans to bury their dead on the roads leading out of town. Those who could afford it had their remains sent to Alyscamps to be buried in a stone sarcophagus, which are lined up along the road. Many were later looted or re-used as altars but the place remains an enchanting place which has attracted many writers and artists (Rainer Maria Rilke, Van Gogh).

Nîmes was known to the Romans as “Nemausus”, and it is one of the most impressive ancient sites in Europe. Technically located in Languedoc-Roussillon, with historic and strong ties to Provence given its position on the Via Domitia which crosses the Rhone. It became a Roman colony sometime before c. 28 BCE. The Roman architectural remains including the so-called Maison Carrée (Square House), an admirably preserved first century BCE Corinthian temple, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa. The amphitheater of Nîmes, known as les Arènes was build around 70 CE to hold 24,000 spectators. It still draws large crowds during its two annual bullfights The Musée de la Romanite (Museum of Roman Civilisation), is highly recommended for its extensive, well preserved and intelligently presented collection including exquisite mosaics. The upper level houses a fine contemporary brasserie La Table du 2, with close-up views of the Arenes.