Roman Theatre of Orange

The best place in the former empire to see what a Roman theater's stage wall looked like. At Orange it survives at full height, about 103 meters long and 37 meters tall, and a statue about 3.5 meters tall, restored in modern times, still stands in the central niche looking down on the seats. Most ancient theaters have lost this backdrop, so sitting in the cavea here changes how you picture every other ruined theater. The festival now called the Chorégies d'Orange has used the stage since 1869; a summer performance is the reason to time a visit. Orange's triumphal arch on the edge of town is worth the short walk.