Arles is a town in theProvence in the southeast ofFrance. Remote, uneventful, but definitely no waste of time, Arles is absolutely steeped in Provençal culture, and features a collection of Roman archaeological sites. Arles is included on theUNESCO World Heritage List.
The museums are small, but have some interested artifacts. Unfortunately there are no Van Goghs to be found in the city, despite the fact that his residence in Arles was his most productive. Chico Bouchiki, co-founder of the Gypsy Kings, as well as the rest of the band, is from Arles. Take a lazy stroll along the Rhône, dip into a café and continue strolling.
Romanesque Church of St. Trophime (former Cathedral of Arles)
Take the Autoroute from Salon or yet another from Marseille, but give preference to the smaller routes and Alpilles towns like Fontvieille, Paradou, les baux, etc.
43.6778324.630921Arènes d'Arles(Roman ampthitheatre).It was built in the first or second century BC. It houses Corridas at Easter and the Rice Festa in September. Throughout the summer there are variouscourses camarguaises (bloodless bullfighting).€9, reduced €7, free for under 18s.(updated Oct 2023)
43.6768024.6274193Cryptoportiques(Cryptoporticos)(Place de la Republic and Place du Forum).Now completely underground, the cryptoporticos, a semi-subterranean gallery, was a sort of a base for theRoman Forum in Arles. It was built at the end of 1st century BC. The current structure has a horseshoe form. The entrance is inside the Hôtel de Ville d'Arles.(updated Jun 2015)
43.6789534.627244Thermes de Constantin.The remains of the Roman baths.(updated Apr 2019)
43.6766454.6282975Cathédrale Saint-Trophime(Church of Saint Trophime).A church in Romanesque style built in 12th century. Besides the church there is a quite remarkable cloister.(updated Apr 2019)
43.6758144.6254757Espace Van Gogh(Médiathèque & Bibliothèque Municipale),Place Docteur Félix Rey,☏+33 4 90 49 39 39.A former hospital with a courtyard where Van Gogh was kept under medical treatment.Free.(updated Jun 2015)
43.6722954.6354048Alycamps.An ancient burial site and early Christian cemetery. Its allée of trees was painted by Van Gogh. Eglise Saint Honorat is at the SE end of the allée.(updated Jun 2015)
43.656944.6211249Pont de Langlois(Pont Van Gogh)(quite a bit out of the city centre).It was the subject of several paintings by Vincent van Gogh.(updated Apr 2019)
43.6792634.62772311Musée Réattu(Fine Arts museum),10, rue du Grand Prieuré,☏+33 4 90 49 37 58.Nov-Feb: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00; Mar-Oct: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00.A surprisingly large museum in the home of 19th-century artist Joseph Réattu, featuring his paintings, sketches and a painting by Pablo Picasso, photography, and some modern art.€8, 65 and over €5.(updated Oct 2023)
43.6765514.62601112Museon Arlaten,29-31 rue de la République,☏+33 4 13 31 51 99,museon.arlaten@cg13.fr.Tu-Su 19:00-18:00.A modern ethnographic museum of Provence that incorporates an elegant Jesuit chapel.Full price €8; concessions: €5 (aged 18-25, persons aged over 65, carer accompanying a disability card).(updated Oct 2023)
43.6733334.63694413Luma Arles.An artistic and cultural complex, especially interesting due to the building architecture, designed by Frank Gehry.(updated Jul 2021)
43.5417184.61936216Camargue(just 20-30 km south of Arles).One of Europe's largest river deltas and wetlands, a great place to spot flamingos and French cowboys.(updated Apr 2019)
43.5362374.75362917Réserve Naturelle des Marais du Vigueirat(30 km southeast of Arles).A 1,200 ha nature reserve and one of the most popular sites inside the Camargue. With over 2,000 types of flora and fauna, including flamingos, herons, toros, horses, and much more.(updated Apr 2019)
Saucisson d'Arles (traditionally made with a bit of donkey meat), marinated olives from the market, Languedoc cheeses from the market, etc. Other dishes:Gardianne de Boeuf,Daubes,Fougasse d'Arles (with duck confit inside)
For restos, check out the menus on side street restaurants.
If you plan on camping in this area, keep in mind that Arles is surrounded by rivers, streams, and marshes which all have mosquitoes. Another favored alternative is sleeping in the streets.Place de la Libération offers a hospitable sidewalk with a boulder, dedicated to two American WWII pilots shot down over Arles, under shelter of which you may sleep.
Résidence Club Le Domaine de l'Estajan,Mas De Veran,☏+33 4 90 18 49 49.The residence is made up of several small buildings, no higher than one floor, spread around the Maeva Camargue estate: Les Roselières, Les Oliviers, Les Amandiers, Les Piboules, etc. A large number of leisure activities (riding, tennis, golf, etc.) and relaxation facilities (balneotherapy centre) are available.(updated Jul 2017)
There are a few hotels apparently built within parts of former abbeys, such asHôtel du Cloître by Saint Trophime. Also, there are tons of hôtels de tourisme.
Arles is centrally located. The town straddles Provence and the Languedoc. Profit from its positioning and enjoy the great nature that surrounds: theCamargue and beaches to the south, the Alpilles to the east, etc. TheWay of St James pilgrimage toSantiago de Compostella came from Italy through Arles, where the pilgrims joined theArles Way.
Aix-en-Provence — the city of Cézanne and the Montagne Sainte-Victoire
Avignon — inhabited since the stone age, Avignon was home to popes in the 14th century
Saint-Martin-de-Crau — foremost visited for its nature, with the only arid steppe in Europe
Tarascon — founded by the Romans in Caesar's time and haunted by a dragon, this town has a well-preserved medieval castle and other old architecture
Thiscity travel guide toArlesis ausable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but pleasefeel free to improve itby editing the page.
(updated Oct 2023)
