Message #146322

[Bianca]

                                  Amid the Glory of France, the Grandeur That Was Rome





By MAÏA DE LA BAUME
The New York Times
May 17, 2009

The most efficient way to discover Roman France is to take the high-speed train from Paris to Nîmes and rent a car. From there, head northeast to the Pont du Gard, then south to Arles and then north to Orange. The ruins of the provincial towns of St.-Rémy-de-Provence and Vaison-la-Romaine are easy detours along the way. (Don’t try to drive in the towns of Nîmes or Arles; there is little parking, a lot of traffic and both are walkable.)

If there is an extra day, take the train from Orange to Lyon. Once the capital of Roman Gaul, with Gallo-Roman and Renaissance sites, if offers a handful of must-see museums, plus some of the best dining in France. There you will find Jacques Lasfargues, the director of the Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine of Lyon, a natural-born storyteller who will hold you in thrall.