Sprawling along the Rhône River, Arles is a former capital of ancient Rome in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. It’s renowned for its Roman-built landmarks and inspiring the artwork of Vincent Van Gogh, who spent 1888 painting scenes throughout the city.
Things to do in Arles
Begin your visit at the Musée de l’Arles et de la Provence Antiques, where artefacts uncovered from the city’s ancient sites are exhibited. Admire the early Christian sarcophagi, sculptures and mosaics on display, together with an immense statue of Augustus and a Gallo-Roman barge showcased with its cargo of amphorae jars.
One of the city’s most famous landmarks is Les Arènes d’Arles, a Roman amphitheatre built in 90 AD to host chariot races and hand-to-hand battles. From the 5th century, it was transformed into a fortress and encircled a bustling town with more than 200 houses, two chapels and a public square. It was restored back to an amphitheatre in the 19th century and now hosts horse-racing events and plays, offering sweeping views across the city from its medieval tower.
A short stroll from the amphitheatre is the Théâtre Antique, a Roman-built theatre that serves as a performance venue. Closer to the Rhône River is the Foundation Vincent Van Gogh, which showcases paintings by the Dutch post-Impressionist artist and those influenced by his style.
Getting around Arles
Arles is around an hour’s drive from Marseille Provence Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Direct trains connect to Marseille, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence from the Arles railway station while buses travel throughout the Bouches-du-Rhône department. The centre of Arles is compact enough to explore on foot or by bicycle.