ROMAN FRANCE
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29th Sept – 6th Oct 2008
with Simon Monckton |
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PROVISIONAL COST: Including travel by train [London-Lille-Avignon/ Lyon-Lille-London], transfers, 7 nights B&B in twin rooms in centrally located hotels [Avignon 5 nights, Lyon 2 nights]; guided visits. £1095
EXTRAS: Insurance, Single room supplement £295, meals, entrance charges (some free or reduced for senior citizens), tips.
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Classical civilisation was already known in Southern France, brought there by the Greeks, which may explain why it was so readily adopted when the Romans took over. They were soon seduced by the climate and fertility of the area – they called it affectionately ‘The Province’ from which Provence takes its name.
We are fortunate that so much remains to us from the Roman period – the near perfect temple in Nîmes, the amphitheatres in Arles and Nîmes, alike yet subtly different, all illustrate the constant development and progress made by the Romans as they strive towards perfection. The magnificent but supremely utilitarian aqueduct across the Gardon River is just one element in the complex technological challenge of bringing water from a spring in Uzes the 37 miles to the city of Nîmes. And then there are the buildings of later times aspiring to emulate the Roman forms and ways but adapted to contemporary uses and needs; the church of St Trophime in Arles with its superb Romanesque sculpture and the Cathedral and Palace in Avignon built for the Popes (successors to the Emperors) in Exile.
Our tour, starts in Avignon and takes us to the ancient sites of this popular area know nowadays as much for its food and wine as its monuments, later in the week we move up to Lyon, capital of Roman Gaul from where we also explore Vienne.
| Date |
Provisional Itinerary |
| Day 1 |
Arrival in Avignon by TGV train via London and Lille (flights can be available for those who prefer to fly: Southampton/ Avignon) |
| Day 2 |
We explore the centre of the historic town of Avignon, with a visit to the Papal Palace and the adjoining Cathedral. We may also visit the ‘Petit Palace and art Gallery. Then after lunch we cross to Villeneuve les Avignon and see the Monastery of the Chartreuse and some of the Cardinal’s palaces. |
| Day 3 |
We drive to wards Aix en Provence – stopping at the Oppidum of Entremont and its ancient pre-roman civilisation. In Aix we have lunch and visit the Granet Museum and the Cathedral with its’ roman Baptistery. |
| Day 4 |
We drive towards St Rémy de Provence to visit the site of Glanum. We then continue to Arles where we see the amphitheatre, the theatre, the cryptoporticus and the church and cloisters of St Trophime. |
| Day 5 |
We start by visiting the Pont du Gard and then continue to Nîmes, the town whose water it provided. We see the Castellum Aquae from where the water was distributed, The Maison Carree (the temple to Augustus’ adopted sons) and then the amphitheatre. We also visit the sacred complex surrounding the spring of Nemausus the local water god set in the public gardens. |
| Day 6 |
We set out for Lyon today stopping at Orange to explore the well-preserved theatre and the Triumphal arch built to commemorate the victories of Tiberius. |
| Day 7 |
In Lyon we visit Lugdunem, the Roman centre of the city with its two theatres on the hillside, and its excellent museum. After lunch we go to Vienne where we visit the Roman museum of St Romaine en Gal with its famous Mosaic then move to the city centre to see the temple of Augustus and Livia and the gothic cathedral. |
Day 8 |
Time permitting we can stroll through the medieval streets of Old Lyon surrounding the Cathedral and see the ‘traboules’ – the houses where the silk which brought much wealth to the city was manufactured. |
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