Arles
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.
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
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).
The Reattu Museum, Fine Arts museum.
The Rice Museum.
Things to do
Ranches, horseback riding (9 schools).
Hiking. Mountain biking.
3 Beaches.
La Capeliere (nature walk of Camargue).
Van Gogh Tour. Gypsy mosaics.
Many festivals:
Fete des Gardians (May, 1st).
Santon exhibition in December.
Bed and breakfast
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!
Vacation rentals
5 Gîtes & apartments for 2 to 6 persons in a authentic & comfortable Camargue mas. 13 Km from Arles center
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.
Campsites
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
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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?
What was the ancient name of Arles?
Arles or Nîmes? Which city to visit?
Nearby towns and villages
Fontvieille (15km), Tarascon(20 km) and Saintes Maries de la Mer (36 km).
