9 Things to Do in Vaison-la-Romaine, by Appeal & Type,

Up-to-Date 2025

WHAT TO SEE & DO

Vaison-la-Romaine Overall Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧

Overview Table

	Name	Appeal	Type	Visit	Cost
1	Puymin & Villasse	✦✦✦✦✧	Roman Town Ruins	Self	Paid €
2	Medieval Area	✦✦✦✧✧	Medieval Area	Self	Free
3	Château Comtal	✦✦✦✧✧	Panorama	Self	Free
4	Vierge Noire	✦✦✦✧✧	Panorama	Self	Free
5	Food Market	✦✦✧✧✧	Food Market	Self	Free
6	Town Center	✦✦✧✧✧	Town Center	Self	Free
7	Notre-Dame Cathedral	✦✦✧✧✧	Cathedral & Cloister	Self	Free
8	St. Marie Church	✦✧✧✧✧	Church	Self	Free
9	Tourist Train	✦✧✧✧✧	Tourist Train	Tour	Paid €

1. Puymin & Villasse

Appeal ✦✦✦✦✧
Type Roman Town Ruins
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid

French Names
Puymin & Villasse
Sites Antiques de Vaison-la-Romaine
Sites Archéologiques de Vaison-la-Romaine
Parc Archéologique de Vaison-la-Romaine

It’s the largest archaeological site related to the Roman era in France.

Historically, the site’s construction began in the 1st century BC when Vaison-la-Romaine was a thriving Roman town. The site was gradually abandoned in the 5th century as the Roman Empire declined. Excavations that started in the early 20th century uncovered the ruins.

The site is divided as follows:

Puymin

Outdoor Antique Site:
Ruins of streets, houses, shops, gardens, etc.
Théo Desplans Museum:
It houses many artifacts uncovered during excavations, including statues and everyday objects.
Antique Theater:
It could accommodate up to 6,000 spectators for the artistic events of the time. From the top of its stands, you have a panoramic view of the surrounding hills.
👀 Google View 360° – Panorama

Villasse

Outdoor Antique Site:
Ruins of streets, houses, shops, baths, etc.

📍 Google Maps

🏞️ Google Images Overview

⚙️ Hours & Prices (Official Website – Fr)

⚙️ Map (Pdf – Fr)

2. Medieval Area

Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Medieval Area
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free

French Name
Cité Médiévale

The Medieval part of Vaison-la-Romaine is located south of the river. It’s perched on a hill and dates back to the 12th century. It offers a picturesque walk through narrow cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old buildings.

📍 Google Maps

🏞️ Google Images Overview

3. Château Comtal

Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Panorama
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free

French Name
Château Comtal

The castle in the old medieval part of town dates back to the 12th century. It is now in a state of ruin and is closed to the public.

It offers a panoramic view of the town and the surrounding area.

Note that the path to access it can be difficult.

📍 Google Maps

🏞️ Google Images Overview

👀 Google View 360° – Panorama

4. Vierge Noire

Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Panorama
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free

French Name
Vierge Noire

This statue of the Black Madonna is located on a hill, slightly away from the city center and to the east of the medieval old town. The spot offers a panoramic view of the old town.

📍 Google Maps

👀 Google View 360° – Panorama

5. Food Market

Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Outdoor Food Market
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free

French Names
Marché de Vaison-la-Romaine
Grand Marché Provençal de Vaison-la-Romaine

The large food market takes place on Tuesday mornings. Its size varies with the seasons, peaking in the summer. It is held in the main squares and streets of the town.

📍 Google Maps

🏞️ Google Images Overview

⚙️ Hours (Tourism Office Website)

📜 Wikipedia (Fr)

6. Town Center

Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Town Center
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free

The Town Center of Vaison-la-Romaine is a bustling area filled with shops, cafés, and local businesses, offering a lively atmosphere for strolling around.

The main areas include Place Monfort square and Grande Rue street, which is partially pedestrianized or fully pedestrianized depending on the season. It remains lively throughout the year with its many shops.

Also, just a bit south of the town center, over the river, you’ll find the Roman bridge, one of the few ancient bridges still in use today.

🏞️ Google Images Overview