France: the town of Orange and its connection to the dutch royal colour.
On kings day in Holland, the colour orange is plastered all over the country. And who doesn't notice that same colour in the football stadiums, when the Dutch team reaches high? Why orange? The reason is a small town in Provence: Orange. Because the heir to the Dutch throne is still called "Prince of Orange". Today it is a princess: Catharina-Amalia. So lets have a look at this sunny town in the heart of Provence, rich in history and surrounded by vineyards, and trace its connection to dutch royalty and sport fans.
Orange from above. ("Orange boven" - a word-play in Dutch language).
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10878] Inspection of the roof of the Notre Dame cathedral in Orange after a week with a severe "mistral", the hated wind of Provence. Photo Paul Smit.
Roman triumphal arch in Orange.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10901] The Roman triumphal arch of Orange is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, together with the town's Roman theatre. In 2009 a black layer of soot and dust was removed from the arch. Since then its white limestone looks as good as new. Roman Orange was founded in 35 BC by veterans of the Second Augustan Legion and the reliefs on the arch celebrate two of their victories, one at sea and the other against the Gauls. Photo Paul Smit.
Queen Máxima and King Alexander.
[HOLLAND.ZUIDHOLLAND 11231] Queen Máxima and King Alexander of the Dutch royal family during a ceremony in Den Haag. Please mention: Photo Mirjam de Vriend.
Portrait of William the Silent, Prince of Orange.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10900] Portrait of Willem I van Oranje, also called Willem de Zwijger (William the Silent, 1533 - 1584). Oil on canvas, not signed nor dated, it could be a copy made of a painting by Frans Pourbus the Elder. This painting of the Dutch stadtholder is kept in the Musée de l'Art et de l'Histoire in the Provençal town of Orange. Willem I was the sovereign of the Principality of Orange from 1544 to 1584. Please mention: Photo Musée de l'Art et de l'Histoire d'Orange.
Coat of arms of the Princes of Orange during the Middle Ages.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10697] During the summer, some medieval events are organized in Les Baux-de-Provence. Les-Baux was once the seat of the noble Des Baux family who were Princes of Orange from 1181 till 1386. Their coat of arms in those days was the 16-pointed white star placed on a field of gules, seen on these warriers. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10880] Platans are the iconic trees of Provence. That's why the owner of "Brasserie Les Amis" has decorated the most delightful square of Orange - the Place aux Herbes - with a fancy bow. An orange one, of course. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10908] The town of Orange is located in Provence and besides colourful touristy textiles, it is still possible to find the more traditional Provençal fabrics, as here at "Cosy" (7 Place des Herbes). This yellow piece of fabric produced by the Provençal textiles company "Olivades". The tradition originates in the 18th century textile industry of Orange that was initiated by Jean Rudolf Wetter. His factory, which employed more than five hundred workers in 1762, produced so-called "Indiennes", printed textiles that were originally known from India. Orange's town museum preserves several specimens of Wetter's work. Photo Paul Smit.
Spicy cuisine and colourful interior.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10910] Without question the weirdest little restaurant of Orange is "La Roselière" (4 rue de Renoyer). Weird, because of its interior, not its cuisine, because it is famous for the creative way spices are used in its cuisine. Its interior is very small, so reservation is necessary. Mind you, most of the time the weather is fine in Orange, so you can dine on the sidewalk with its four tables. Photo Paul Smit.
Awaiting orders of the Prince of Orange.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10679] During a medieval reenactment in Les Baux-de-Provence, 50 km south of Orange, the archers of Raymond V des Baux, Prince of Orange, are waiting for orders to start shooting at the castle in order to recapture it from Robert de Duras who had taken it while the Prince was absent. The noble Des Baux family became Counts of Orange in 1173 and then Princes of Orange from 1181 on. Photo Paul Smit.
Opera in the Roman theatre of Orange.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10896] Annual event highlights in the Roman theatre of Orange are the "Chorégies d'Orange", staging massive lyrical spectacles such as Verdi's opera "La Traviata". They can attract the best performers, set designers and lighting artists as it is a great honour to perform in the Mother of all Theatres. A real treat for the ear and the eye. Please mention: Photo Philippe Gromelle/Grand Angle/Orange.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10889] The 37 m high back wall (sceanea frons) of the Roman theatre in the town of Orange was refitted with a roof in 2006, after having been roofless for 1600 years. Unlike the original wooden roof the modern one is constructed of steel, glass and textile, which is a lot stronger. In this way the roof not only protects the ancient heritage but can also be used for suspending theatre lighting. To achieve good acoustics a layer of sound absorbing textile has been placed beneath the glass panes of the roof. The theatre was built between A.D 10 and 25 (during the rule of Emperor Augustus) and is on the World Heritage List of the UNESCO. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10884] The Roman theatre in the town of Orange has one of the only two remaining back walls (sceanea frons) which are still standing. These back walls were essential for good acoustics. Productions staged here ranged from Greek tragedies, musical performances, and acrobatics to political talks. When christianity became the state religion under Emperor Constantine the Roman theatres were closed down and this may have been a severe blow to the integrity of the Empire. The theatre provided a sense of Roman identity for all its visitors throughout the ethnically divers Empire. Closing down the theatres may have been as shocking as taking television away from the modern world. The theatre in Orange was built between AD 10 and 25 (during the rule of Emperor Augustus) and is on the World Heritage List of the UNESCO. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10891] The 37 m high back wall (sceanea frons) of the Roman theatre in the town of Orange was refitted with a roof in 2006, after having been roofless for 1600 years. Unlike the original wooden roof the modern one is constructed of steel, glass and textile, which is a lot stronger. In this way the roof not only protects the ancient heritage but can also be used for suspending theatre lighting. To achieve good acoustics a layer of sound absorbing textile has been placed beneath the glass panes of the roof. The theatre was built between A.D 10 and 25 (during the rule of Emperor Augustus) and is on the World Heritage List of the UNESCO. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10879] Every thursday the streets of Orange are enlivened by a market. It meanders through the entire centre of the town, but the focus lies undoubtedly on Place Clemenceau, the square in front of the town hall, with its typical French "Hôtel de Ville". Photo Paul Smit.
Opera in the Roman theatre of Orange.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10897] Annual event highlights in the Roman theatre of Orange are the "Chorégies d'Orange", staging massive lyrical spectacles, such as Puccini's opera Tosca in this picture. It's no problem attracting the best performers, set designers and lighting artists as it is a great honour to perform in the Mother of all Theatres. A real treat for the ear and the eye. Please mention: Photo Philippe Gromelle/Grand Angle/Orange.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
[HOLLAND.ZUIDHOLLAND 11232] Queen Máxima of the Dutch royal family during a ceremony in Den Haag. Please mention: Photo Mirjam de Vriend.
Portrait of William II, Prince of Orange.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10899] Portrait of William II as a child. Oil on Canvas, not signed nor dated, probably a copy, to be found in the Musée de l'Art et de l'Histoire in the Provençal town of Orange. William II (27 May 1626 – 6 November 1650) was sovereign Prince of Orange and stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands from 14 March 1647 until his death three years later. He was the father of William III, king of England, Scotland and Ireland and Dutch stadtholder. Please mention: Photo Musée de l'Art et de l'Histoire d'Orange.
Provence way of life: ralentissez! (slow down).
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10883] "Ralentissez" says this road sign on the Place aux Herbes in the town of Orange: "slow down"! Somehow it symbolizes the relaxed pace of life in Provence. The orange bow, an idea of the owner of "Brasserie Les Amis", places the iconic platan in the centre of Provençal village life. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10881] Platans are the iconic trees of Provence. That's why the owner of Brasserie Les Amis" has decorated the most delightful square of Orange - the Place aux Herbes - with a fancy bow. An orange one, of course. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10909] Based at the foot of the Roman theatre in Orange, Jean-Pierre Magnan (8 bis Rue du Mazeau) was originally a woodworker by profession, but gradually became interested in the traditional musical instruments of Provence. After extensive research he decided to start making them himself. Drums and flutes play a mayor part in Provençal music. Photo Paul Smit.
Belligerent ancestors of the House of Orange.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10676] During a medieval reenactment in Les Baux-de-Provence, 50 km south of Orange, the army of Raymond V, Prince of Orange, advances to recapture his castle from Robert de Duras who had taken it while the Prince was absent. The noble Des Baux family became Counts of Orange in 1173 and then Princes of Orange from 1181 on. Photo Paul Smit.
Opera in the Roman theatre of Orange.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10894] Annual event highlights in the Roman theatre of Orange are the "Chorégies d'Orange", staging massive lyrical spectacles such as Verdi's opera "Il Trovatore". It's no problem attracting the best performers, set designers and lighting artists as it is a great honour to perform in the Mother of all Theatres. A real treat for the ear and the eye. Please mention: Photo Philippe Gromelle/Grand Angle/Orange.
Musical spectacle in the Roman theatre of Orange.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10895] Annual event highlights in the Roman theatre of Orange are the "Chorégies d'Orange", staging massive lyrical spectacles such as Verdi's "Requiem". They can attract the best performers, set designers and lighting artists as it is a great honour to perform in the Mother of all Theatres. A real treat for the ear and the eye. Please mention: Photo Philippe Gromelle/Grand Angle/Orange.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10890] The 37 m high back wall (sceanea frons) of the Roman theatre in the town of Orange was refitted with a roof in 2006, after having been roofless for 1600 years. Unlike the original wooden roof the modern one is constructed of steel, glass and textile, which is a lot stronger. In this way the roof not only protects the ancient heritage but can also be used for suspending theatre lighting. To achieve good acoustics a layer of sound absorbing textile has been placed beneath the glass panes of the roof. The theatre was built between A.D 10 and 25 (during the rule of Emperor Augustus) and is on the World Heritage List of the UNESCO. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10885] The Roman theatre in the town of Orange has one of the only two remaining back walls (sceanea frons) which are still standing. These back walls were essential for good acoustics. Productions staged here ranged from Greek tragedies, musical performances, and acrobatics to political talks. When christianity became the state religion under Emperor Constantine the Roman theatres were closed down and this may have been a severe blow to the integrity of the Empire. The theatre provided a sense of Roman identity for all its visitors throughout the ethnically divers Empire. Closing down the theatres may have been as shocking as taking television away from the modern world. The theatre in Orange was built between AD 10 and 25 (during the rule of Emperor Augustus) and is on the World Heritage List of the UNESCO. Photo Paul Smit.