Vaison-la-Romaine Attractions

Vaison-la-Romaine lies to the northwest of the foot of Mont Ventoux, about 30km/19mi north-east of Orange. To the south of the town extend the regions of Séguret and Gigondas and the Dentelles de Montmirail.

In the fourth century B.C. this was the chief place of the Celtic Vocones. Later the Romans founded Vasio Vocontiorum in the fertile region of the Valley of the Ouvèze and in five peaceful centuries this developed into a flourishing community. As early as the third century A.D. Vaison was the seat of a bishop and in 442 and 529 ecclesiastical councils were held here; in the 11th and 12th C. it was resolved to build a cathedral. However, a little later, Raymond, Count of Toulouse, laid siege and conquered the town, robbed the Bishop of his property and had a castle built on the highest spot of the mountain which rises above the town. The Upper Town was surrounded by a wall and not until the 18th C. was the territory of the former Roman city settled again.