With our journey down the Rhone almost done – we have just 20 miles to ride to Avignon tomorrow – we opted for a day exploring Orange.

It’s a town with some outstanding Roman remains and an attractive centre, with the obligatory cafes, bars and chic shops.

We began the day with a walk up the Colline Saint Eutrope, a 300 foot high outcrop which looks down on the city and offers great views back up the Rhone Valley down which we have cycled.

This hill was once the location of a large fortress, very little of which remains. There is excavation work ongoing, which is unearthing some significant stonework.

We then descended into the town and picked up a very good coffee in a very well presented and tiny cafe.

In the afternoon we visited the town’s museum, home to the usual local artefacts from down the ages. Again, it was well presented.

A short cycle ride then took us to the town’s Roman triumphal arch. This stands now, as originally, at the gateway to Orange and depicts, in its stone carvings, scenes of Romand army and navy triumphs.

Whereas, in Roman times the main road through the area passed under the main arch, modern road engineers have put the arch at the heart of a large roundabout.

The arch looked all the more impressive in the late afternoon light.

As darkness fell we visited the Roman theatre, which dominates the town with its immense wall.

Inside, we explored the restored semi-circle of seating whilst enjoying a light and sound display that made good use of the setting and provided us with a mesmeric and relaxing end to the day.