Les Choregies d’Orange
Orange, Provence, France[10.8 miles]
France’s oldest festival, featuring exceptional lyrical and opera performances, held in the beautiful, crumbling 1st-century Theatre Antique.
Best for ages: 18+ | £30 | 5 weeks
Best places to stay:
Life is sweet here, in this peaceful 16th-century chateau, immersed in a 10-hectare park with majestic trees and a lake. Once owned by Henri II’s lover, Diane de Poitiers, it’s now an eco-friendly hotel.
Most rooms are in two outer buildings: contemporary and calm in design, with an eye on sustainable materials and fabrics. There’s an outdoor pool and organic spa, as well as a gourmet restaurant specialising in organic produce from the château’s own gardens.
It’s a lovely place for relaxing – almost too much so, so leave time for both touring the surroundings and relaxing by the pool. Bikes are available to borrow if you want to explore the surrounding Cote du Rhone vineyards.
Bear in mind, it’s 20 minutes north of the town of Orange, in the north of Provence – some distance from the southern hubs or Aix and Arles.
It’s a gorgeous countryside retreat for soaking up the rural Provence ambience and culture, but not your base for sightseeing.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Orange, Provence, France[10.8 miles]
France’s oldest festival, featuring exceptional lyrical and opera performances, held in the beautiful, crumbling 1st-century Theatre Antique.
Best for ages: 18+ | £30 | 5 weeks
Orange, Provence, France[10.9 miles]
Europe’s best-preserved Ancient Roman theatre, dating back to the 1st century AD, is still used for performances today.
Best for ages: 18+ | £9
Provence, France[17.4 miles]
Postcard-perfect vineyards yielding world-famous wines – Provence is the home of the most prestigious Cotes du Rhone wines, including the reds of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Beaumes-de-Venise.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Vaison-la-Romaine, Provence, France[22.7 miles]
In Vaison, north of Avignon, the modern city, the medieval city, and the extensive remains of their Roman predecessor lie jumbled charmingly together. Ruins include four grand mansions, a theatre, a fine museum, and a picturesque bridge that still connects the two parts of the town.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Provence, France
Gorgeous landscapes peppered with beautiful villages, sunflowers and lavender, art-filled towns, lively cultural festivals and exquisite food and wine. Provence is everything you imagined it would be.