Category: Europe09

After we got back to Arles, we stopped at the Musée Departemental Arles Antique. It had a model of what the standard theater looked like. (picture)

This morning we went to the Theatre Antique d’Orange (aka old Roman theater). Apparently it’s a Unesco world heritage sight. It’s the only theater with the back wall still standing in Europe. There are two others (Turkey, Syria). There’s a similar theater in Arles and it’s a total wreck. It’s 2000 years old and seats 10,000. Not nearly as impressive as Pont du Gard. (three pictures)

The back wall from the outside

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They had a statue of the Emperor in the top center position. The statue heads were replaceable for when the Emperor changed.

My overall impression of Arles is that it is a dump. Stay in Avignon if you come this way.

Just got back from the worst steak dinner ever. I’ve enjoyed the French food we’ve had so far. In the Alps, it was cheese, and in Arles, it’s been sauces, subtle but tasty. Tonight I ordered a steak with pepper sauce, not knowing if that meant green peppers, hot peppers, or black pepper. I still don’t know. The steak was fatty and it was smothered in a white sauce and lots of olive oil.

Made it back to Arles. Just made the train in Avignon, otherwise we would have had to wait 1.5 hrs for the next train.