Orange

About

Founded during the rule of Augustus in the 1st century, Orange once resembled a miniature version of Rome, with similar public buildings - just on a smaller scale. Besides the compact historical center, with its narrow streets, picturesque ancient squares and a hilltop park, the main attractions are surely the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Roman theatre and Triumphal Arch. The theatre is described as the most impressive of its kind, it seats 9000 and features a 37-metre-high stone backdrop to the stage with niches, columns and a statue of Augustus. It takes about 20 minutes to get from the theatre to the massive three-arched Triumphal Arch, standing majestically over the city.