Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The ancient theatre of Vaison-la-Romane, built in the first century probably during the reign of Emperor Claude, was an integral part of the monumental ensemble of the Roman city of Vasio (now Vaison-la-Romane). Backed to a hill, he could accommodate up to 5,000 spectators on his 32 stands and orchestra. Its architecture included a niche stage wall to optimize acoustics, as well as a curtain mechanism operated by pulleys, revealing heroic or historical scenes. Two stone arches, visible from the Renaissance, were the last visible remains before modern excavations.

With the rise of Christianity, the theatre was gradually abandoned and destroyed, even serving as a stone quarry. Rediscovered in the 19th century, it was classified as a Historic Monument in 1862. The restoration campaigns (notably in 1932-34 and 2005-2008) preserved its remains, including the 11 pits of the curtain system and imperial statues made of white marble, such as those of Emperor Hadrian and his wife Sabine, exhumed by the Shinoine altar in the early twentieth century. A famous statue, the Diadumène de Vaison, discovered in the 19th century, is now preserved at the British Museum.

Today, theatre is used as an outdoor concert hall, hosting festivals. Its acoustics, designed to amplify voices without parasitic echo thanks to the niches of the stage wall, make it a unique place. The excavations also revealed pulleys and wooden panels to maneuver the curtain, testifying to the technical sophistication of Roman shows. The site, owned by the commune, remains a symbol of the ancient Vasio, mixing architectural heritage and contemporary cultural life.

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