Orange, Valcluse
by Stu - 24 August 2024
Today we head to the department of Valcluse to answer the age old question: “Which is better - Orange (Valculse, France) or Orange (NSW, Australia).
Theatres
The UNESCO-listed Théâtre antique d’Orange (France) was built in the 1st century AD and was described by Louis XIV as having “the best wall in the empire”. It is the best preserved Roman theatre in Europe, and still hosts events, with upcoming acts spanning all genres.
The Orange Civic theatre is very nice and will be hosting the Orange East Public School’s performing arts festival next month.
The stage wall (plus lighting equipment for tonight’s show)
Jake’s review
It was good. It was great. It was this old place where Romans built a theatre so that they could watch movies and plays. It is one thousand years old or so. I didn’t listen to the audio guide because it was too confusing.
Miles’ review
The theatre was really, really big. It used to have a really really big roof, but it got abandoned for a few years and then burned down. Then an inspector came and they started letting people see the theatre. So if you want to, come down and see the theatre and you can go in it and check it out.
The theatre wall also doubles as climbing equipment
Verdict
“I didn’t know there was a theatre in Orange, NSW” - Jake & Miles
France 1 - NSW 0
Museums
The Orange (France) museum contains artifacts from the Roman empire, including well preserved statues such as this cyclops:
I’ve got my eye on you
They also invite you to play the piano in a room full of renaissance art.
Miles’ review
This is something that is really special over 1,000 years ago. It was really old. If you go to the museum you’ll be able to see all the stuff that I saw.
Jake review
There was a bunch of weird statues from the ancient Roman times. Most of them had two eyes but one was a cyclops. I played a song on the piano. It was good and fun.
Still haven’t been paid for the last gig
Verdict
“I didn’t know there was a museum in Orange, NSW” - Jake & Miles
France 2 - NSW 0
Arc de Triomphe
It’s bigger than it looks in this photo
Jake review
This Arc de Triomphe has lots of weird little symbols. It’s on a roundabout because the cars can’t fit through the middle (the horses could in the olden days). They built the arch because they won a war. That’s why in English it’s actually the arch of triumph.
Miles review
It was great. It was smaller than the one in Paris and you can’t go up it but if you want to go there it’s still really really big and really amazing.
Verdict
“I didn’t know there was an Arc de Triomphe in Orange, NSW” - Jake & Miles
France 3 - NSW 0
Wine
We also visited Domaine Galevan for some spur-of-the-moment wine tasting.
Jake review
The winery was nice. It had good colouring in things. Daddy and Mummy were talking about the history of the winery. Miles did some good colouring in and I was spinning around on my chair. Then we left.
Miles review
It was good. I coloured in Mickey Mouse and then I started doing an activity book while my parents were drinking wine.
Another successful mission
Final verdict
Yes yes, Orange (NSW) has nice wine too. Sonia was unable to choose between the two so we’ll call this one a tie. Final score….
Orange (France) wins 3-0! Thanks for playing!