Located in the Rhone alluvial plain and crossed by two rivers, the Meyne in the town centre and the Aigues in the north, the town of Orange always developped around the Saint-Eutrope hill. Due to its location near the Rhone and on the Agrippa road, since the Antiquity Orange has remained an important transit area.

Inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, 2 Roman monuments dating back to 1st century AD reflect today the town of Orange’s cultural heritage : the Antique theatre and the Triumphal Arch.

• The Antique Theatre : built at the begining of the Christian era, it is renowned for its well-preserved stage wall. At that time, this used to be the town’s major lively area. Acoustics and structure enabled 7000 spectators to attend shows. Nowadays, the theatre receives every year tens of thousands of spectators on the occasion of summer events, among which the famous Chorégies.

• The Triumphal Arch : it is dedicated to the veterans’ glory of the 2nd gallic legion who founded the Roman colony of Orange first, and then extended to Tibère. Thus, this is an extraordinary monument of both Roman and Provençal art. Symbol of distinction, it used to define the boundaries between the deads’ world and the antique city.

]]> http://www.toorismag.com/en/103/feed/ 0 http://www.toorismag.com/en/july-cultural-events-enjoying-outdoor-activities-in-paris/ http://www.toorismag.com/en/july-cultural-events-enjoying-outdoor-activities-in-paris/#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:39:09 +0000 Toorismag team http://www.toorismag.com/en/?p=86

With the arrival of summer, Paris becomes a thoroughly outdoor capital. There are many ways to discover the city : either walking, on a bike or on the water. From the Seine quaysides to pedestrian areas, or even in the woods and at both ends of the city, you can enjoy being out in the fresh air! Many festive events are also an invitation to be outdoors from early morning to nightfall. Eating out takes place at a table outside a café or with a picnic on the grass. The capital’s numerous parks and gardens are ideal for summer walks and naps. On the cultural scene, there is outdoor theatre, music, opera and art to discover … Paris offers a wealth of open-air activities and entertainment!

Here is a selection of events you will be enjoying this summer in Paris :

• Until July 13^th : « Summer Nights » Festival (festival « soirs d’été »)

Every year, the third arrondissement city hall of Paris organises a festival with concerts, dances, openair cinema (classic films as well as more recent ones). Locals and tourists mingle in a festive atmosphere.

Mairie du 3è, 2 rue Eugène-Spuller, Paris 3rd – www.mairie3.paris.fr

• July 14^th : French National Holiday parade

For French people and foreigners, the July 14 military parade is always reminded as the most solemn and spectacular event they can attend along the Champs-Elysées.

Champs-Elysées, Paris 8^th

• From June to July : « Silhouette » Short-Film Festival

This week-long short-film festival on the heights of the Buttes-Chaumont park features a varied programme of high-quality French and international films.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Paris 19^th – www.association-silhouette.com

• In July : «Théatre de verdure», Theatre Festival in the Shakespeare’s Garden

A park setting is well chosen one for performances of Shakespeare plays. Until the end of September, this outdoor « theatre » will stage a series of plays by Molière, Maurice Maeterlinck, Alfred de Musset and Victor Hugo – not forgetting works by the Bard himself, of course.

Jardin Shakespeare, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16th – Tel +33 (0)1 40 19 95 33

• From 15/07 to 16/08 : Open-air Cinema

Every summer for more than fifteen years, the La Villette outdoor festival offers a selection of films to be enjoyed outside on the grass in the park. For extra comfort, you can even hire a deckchair and a blanket. A different theme is chosen each year. What surprises will 2009 have in store?

Parc de la Villette, 229 av Jean-Jaurès, Paris19^th – www.villette.com

• From mid-July to mid-August : « Paris quartier d’été »

Every summer, this eclectic festival livens up the French capital’s various districts : dance performances in the Palais-Royal gardens, a musical itinerary around the Palais de Tokyo, theatre in the gardens of the Forum des Halles, open-air cinema in the André-Citroën park, and many more !

www.quartierdete.com

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