César: the Rhone as a memorial

Exhibition at the Museum of Ancient Arles, Arles (1/2-hour drive from Avignon)

This exhibition in Arles, just a half-hour drive from Avignon, presents the extraordinary archaeological discoveries made in the waters of the Rhone over the past 20 years, including the famous bust of Julius Caesar, one of the few portraits made in his lifetime...

Historical background

We’re sometimes tempted to say that it was not the Romans who conquered Provence, but rather Provence that won over the hearts of the Romans. In the 1st century BCE, they discovered a golden land of sunshine, recognized the vine and olive trees planted there by the Greeks before them, set up alliances with the local populations and fought against the fierce Germanic tribes. They had earned the right to settle in this land blessed by the gods. Their genius as builders opened new roads and covered the region with towns and monuments: Orange, Vaison-la-Romaine, Cavaillon, Apt, Avignon as well as St-Rémy, Arles, Nîmes...