Arles

Last update on Mar 22, 2026

35km South of Avignon and 90km from Marseille.

Discover Arles, capital of the Camargue

Arles is France's largest municipality, covering 75,000 hectares. It lies like an island surrounded by exceptional natural areas: the banks of the Rhône, the arid Crau plain, the wild Camargue, and the Alpilles mountains.

La ville d'Arles dans les Bouches du Rhône.

Arles, a Roman city with its famous amphitheater

The city was once the metropolis of Roman Gaul, then a symbol of a glorious Christian past, as evidenced by the amphitheater and the Alyscamps (necropolis), the ancient theater, and the Baths of Constantine.

The Roman monuments of Arles are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are well worth a visit, as are the 16th- and 17th-century houses and mansions, the St. Trophime cloister, the Town Hall, and the plane tree-shaded terraces of the Place des Lices.

Arles: a city of traditions.

Arles is now the gateway to the Camargue, home of the gypsies and a meeting place for herdsmen with their ferias and bullfights held in the same arena (12,000 spectators) that hosted Roman games in the 1st century!

Van Gogh, Picasso, artists have always loved Arles

A city of celebration, history, and culture, Arles has never ceased to attract artists. Van Gogh stayed there with his friend Gauguin. Picasso, a bullfighting enthusiast, devoted two paintings and 57 drawings to the city.

Cultural events and annual celebrations in Arles

Arles is a town that celebrates Provençal, Gypsy, and Camargue traditions, so there are lots of festivals, some of which are definitely worth checking out. We think the most important ones are:

the Gardians festival on May 1,
the Mireieto festival in December
the international opera forum in June

The International Photography Festival of Arles

Arles is now very active in the field of photography: every summer, the “Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie” attracts many visitors.

What to see

Montmajour Abbey in Arles

Discover

The arena, amphitheater.
Alyscamps burial grounds.
Roman baths of Constantin (4thc.).
The Antique Arles museum (4th c. sarcophaguses) and Arlaten museum (furniture and traditional folk art).
Montmajour Abbey.
The Rice Museum.

Things to do

4x4 Safari in the Camargue: Half-Day Tour

Explore the Camargue Regional Nature Park on this half-day guided tour in a 4x4.

View

Lavender Field & Distillery Tour near Arles

Discover the art of growing and distilling lavender near Arles.

View

Take a guided tour of the amphitheater, go on a safari in the Camargue, visit the lavender fields : discover all the things to do in Arles.

Bed and breakfast

Le Mas des Prêcheurs

Tarascon

This charming 800 m² Provençal farmhouse is like an island in the countryside, set within its 18-hectare private estate featuring a large olive grove, a Provençal garden with a pond, a pine forest, a large swimming pool, a hiking trail starting from the garden, a clearing, and soon a permaculture farm. You'll love it!

Visit website

Vacation rentals

Le Mas Antonelle

Arles (Camargue) | Avignon : 35 km - Marseille : 80 km

5 Gîtes & apartments for 2 to 6 persons in a authentic & comfortable Camargue mas. 13 Km from Arles center

350€ - 750€

Visit website

Le Mas du Juge

Arles (Camargue) | Avignon : 35 km - Marseille : 80 km

5 charmingly renovated gîtes with all modern comforts in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, sleeping from 2 to 24, in an authentic 17th-century Mas Camarguais.
Horses can be accommodated in 2 large meadows.

400€ - 950€

Visit website

Campsites

Crin Blanc ★★★

Arles (Camargue) | Avignon : 35 km - Marseille : 80 km

4,5 hectares campsite in the heart of the parc régional de la Camargue
Mobile homes rentals camping pitches from 100 to 130 m²
Heated swimming pool with water slide - Entertainement

109 / 43

Visit website

Accommodation

Hotels.
Bed and breakfast.
Holiday rentals - Gites.
Campsites.

Your questions about Arles

You have sent us several questions about the pretty town of Arles. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions.

How can I visit Arles in a day?

Are you on holiday in the Bouches-du-Rhône and want to spend a day in Arles? Then head for the town centre, where you can park easily in one of the town's car parks. Then a morning walking tour of the city's Roman monuments (the Arenas, the theatre, the terms, the necropolis). Lunch and coffee in one of the many Provençal restaurants in the centre. Afternoon strolling through the shops and artists' galleries in the centre.

What was the ancient name of Arles?

Arles has had several ancient names throughout history. The Greeks are said to have given it the name "Thélin", then the Celts called the city "Arelate", from which the current name "Arles" is directly derived. The Romans used the term Arelate.

Arles or Nîmes? Which city to visit?

If you're not sure whether to visit Arles or Nîmes, we'd recommend Arles, which is smaller and therefore more pleasant. The Roman monuments are splendid and the atmosphere is warm.

Partenaire