Arles, France Travel Guide | Provence

Ancient, Artistic, and Fun -- Arles is all of these

tour guide for arles

Yann Guichaoua-Photos/Getty Images

Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located along the Rhone river, where the Petite Rhone breaks off to the west on its way to the sea. Arles dates back to the 7th century BC when it was the Phoenician town of Theline, and its Gallo-Roman heritage is seen in the ruins which are incorporated into the houses and buildings of the city.

Vincent Van Gogh's arrival at the Arles railroad station on the 21st of February 1888 signaled the beginning of Arles and Provence as an artist's retreat. Many of the things and places he painted can still be seen, especially in Arles and the area surrounding St. Rémy de Provence .

Getting to Arles

The Arles train station is on Avenue Paulin Talabot, about a ten minute walk from the center of town (see a map of Arles ). There is a small tourist bureau and car rental available.

Trains connect Arles and Avignon (20 minutes), Marseille (50 minutes) and Nîmes (20 minutes). The TGV from Paris connects to Avignon.

The main bus station is located on Boulevard de Lices in the center of Arles. There is also a bus station opposite the train station. There are senior discounts available on bus tickets; inquire.

Office of Tourism Arles

Office de tourisme d'Arles is found on Boulevard de Lices - BP21. Telephone: 00 33 (0)4 90 18 41 20

Where to Stay

Hotel Spa Le Calendal is steps away from the Amphitheatre and has a nice garden.

Since Arles is set in a spectacular setting, and has a train station to get you around Provence, you might want to settle in for a while in a vacation rental. HomeAway has many to choose from, inside Arles and in the countryside.

Arles Weather and Climate

Arles is hot and dry in the summer, with the least rain coming in July. May and June offer ideal temperatures. the Mistral winds blow hardest in spring and winter. There's a good chance of rain in September, but September and October temperatures are ideal.

Coin Laundry

Laverie Automatique Lincoln rue de la Cavalerie, by the Portes de la Cavalerie in the north end.

Festivals in Arles

Arles is known not only for impressionistic painting, but for photograpy as well. Arles is home to L' Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie (ENSP), the only university-level national photography school in France.

International Photography Festival-- July - September

Nude Photography Festival

Harp Festival--End of October

Epic Film Festival - The Roman Theater at Arles stages a series of outdoor screenings of Hollywood epics in August, known locally as Le Festival Peplum.

Camargue Gourmande a Arles--Arles hosts a Gourmet festival in September, with products from the Carmargue.

What to See in Arles | Top Tourism Sites

Perhaps the top attraction in Arles is the Arles Amphitheatre (Arènes d'Arles). Built in the first century, it seats about 25,000 people and is the venue for bullfights and other festivals.  TripSavvy trusts its readers to make their own decisions on the ethics of bullfighting as an attraction.

Only two columns remain of the original Roman theater on the Rue de la Calade, the theater serves as a concert stage for festivals like the Recontres Internationales de la Photographie (Photography Festival).

Eglise St-Trophime - The Romanesque portal is the high point here, and you can see lots of medieval carvings in the cloister, for which there is a charge (the church is free)

Museon Arlaten (history museum), 29 rue de la Republique Arles - Find out about life in Provence at the turn of the century.

Musee de l'Arles et de la Provence antique (art and history), Presqu'ile du Cirque Romain Arles 13635 - see the ancient origins of Provence, starting at 2500 bc to the "end of Antiquity" in the 6th century.

Near the Rhone, the Baths of Constantine were constructed in the fourth century. You can weave through the hot rooms and pools and check out the hot air ventilation circulating through tubuli (hollow tiles) and underfloor stacks of bricks ( hypocausts ).

Arles has the biggest market in Provence on Saturday mornings.

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Arles Tours & Trips

Find the right tour for you through Arles. We've got 483 adventures going to Arles, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 45 days. The most popular month to go is June, which has the largest number of tour departures.

250+ Arles tour packages with 1,344 reviews

Cycle Provence Tour

Cycle Provence

Provence | France | Guided Biketour Tour

Provence | France | Guided Biketour

I would like to start by saying we had a wonderful time and saw incredible scenery, architecture and ate amazing food. I want to share some feedback that may help you be more successful. First, this was NOT an English tour. It was a German tour where the guides did their best to manage the language issue. Many times, as the English speakers, we were out of the loop. This should have been made clear in advance. Communication overall in advance of the tour was very poor. We were not told that 3 great meals were provided each day. The picnics were AMAZING! But we should have been aware that while lunch was provided it was not included from a cost perspective. Either raise the price and include it or make it clear. All the hotels were excellent except the one in Arles. Really you should skip Arles and replace with Nimes. Arles is a tired town. More opportunity to explore the towns should be built in. ST. Remy in particular deserved some time. The mental hospital would have been of great interest but sadly, we missed it and spent that time at a local Roman site that was a lot less interesting. The Monastery should not be a tour. The ride there is awesome and if the lavender had been in blooming it’s an obvious draw, but the tour is pretty awful. The guides we’re amazing and so we’re our tour mates. They really tried to communicate with us especially after day 2 once we had all bonded but it was hard on them and us. If you want to expand in America I can give you some tips. I have at least 10 friends that want to do this just after following my Facebook feed for the week. Let us help you get a group together, have that group post about it and your American marketing will be off and running! Nikola in particular was a fabulous guide. He made a substantial effort to respond to guests needs- his picnics were incredible. His knowledge of history and interesting facts about everywhere we went really added to the trip. His excellent command of 3 languages was what really made it work. On that note, please include both guides in the dinner budget and add it to the cost of the trip. That seems an unnecessary savings and especially with the language issue it was necessary to have them there at dinner. They picked great restaurants! The multi course dinners every night is a real selling point- you should highlight this in your marketing and communications. Please respond to customer questions in advance in a timely fashion. It’s easy and would have made for a better match between expectation and reality and please provide a suggested packing list. If you like I will send you my suggestions. Provence is stunning. The spring was a great time to go. Weather was perfect and although we didn’t see blooming lavender we saw poppies, iris, wisteria, lilacs and so much more! This was a trio of a lifetime, truly! The e-bikes were a blast! The only way to do it. The equipment was excellent and made it so enjoyable. You really experience the countryside in this way.

Bike & barge tour Provence and Camargue: from Aigues-Mortes to Avignon Tour

  • Bike and Barge

Bike & barge tour Provence and Camargue: from Aigues-Mortes to Avignon

My first bike and barge trip, it was a wonderful experience! Well planned. The crew was great, clearly working together well. Nice to see. Irene's dinners were as good as any following restaurant meals in Avignon and Paris. Yum! Sorry I didn't take pictures of her delicious dishes before eating them. Two criticisms - as another woman observed, there should have been two tour guides, with one riding sweep. That responsibility shouldn't be left to us. Also, the A/C in my cabin was way too cold. Overall, it was tremendous! Looking forward to the next one; hope so anyway! Thanks..

Bike & barge tour Provence and Camargue: from Avignon to Aigues-Mortes Tour

Bike & barge tour Provence and Camargue: from Avignon to Aigues-Mortes

Bike tour, Languedoc, France (guided groups) Tour

Bike tour, Languedoc, France (guided groups)

Exceeding my expectations in every way. My first but not my last bike trip. Mike and Lydia could not have been more accommodating or caring. The best!
  • 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Charming Provence : a barge cruise in Southern France (port-to-port cruise) (from Sete to Arles) Tour

  • River Cruise
  • In-depth Cultural

Charming Provence : a barge cruise in Southern France (port-to-port cruise) (from Sete to Arles)

Romantic France ( 9 days ) Tour

  • Coach / Bus
  • Sightseeing

Romantic France ( 9 days )

Bicycling the Best of Provence Tour

Bicycling the Best of Provence

Amazing tour with every detail carefully handled. Highly recommend!!????????‍♀️

Burgundy & Provence (2024) (Lyon to Arles, 2024) Tour

Burgundy & Provence (2024) (Lyon to Arles, 2024)

Rhône Route Classique 2024 - A-ROSA STELLA (9 destinations) Tour

Rhône Route Classique 2024 - A-ROSA STELLA (9 destinations)

Great cruise, ship, crew and good. Exceeded expectations.

Magnificent France ( 10 days ) Tour

Magnificent France ( 10 days )

Provence and Camargue - From Avignon to Aigues Mortes by Bike and Boat Aboard the Caprice (8 days) Tour

Provence and Camargue - From Avignon to Aigues Mortes by Bike and Boat Aboard the Caprice (8 days)

All the must-see sites on the Rhône between Lyon, Provence, and the Camargue with a dinner at Paul Bocuse\'s Abbaye de Collonges Restaurant OFFERED (port-to-port cruise) (including Vienne) Tour

All the must-see sites on the Rhône between Lyon, Provence, and the Camargue with a dinner at Paul Bocuse's Abbaye de Collonges Restaurant OFFERED (port-to-port cruise) (including Vienne)

We enjoyed the cruise, staff are friendly and helpful! The room is good. The food is delicious but too much in quantity!

Provence Alpilles by Bike Tour

Provence Alpilles by Bike

In Van Gogh\'s Footsteps Tour

In Van Gogh's Footsteps

Reviews of arles tours.

My first bike and barge trip, it was a wonderful experience! Well planned. The crew was great, clearly working together well. Nice to see. Irene's dinners were as good as any following restaurant meals in Avignon and Paris. Yum! Sorry I didn't take pictures of her delicious dishes before eating them. Two criticisms - as another woman observed, there should have been two tour guides, with one riding sweep. That responsibility shouldn't be left to us. Also, the A/C in my cabin was way too cold. Overall, it was tremendous! Looking forward to the next one; hope so anyway! Thanks..

Tours starting from Arles

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International Versions

  • Deutsch: Arles Rundreisen
  • Français: Circuits et voyages au Arles 2024/2025
  • Español: Circuitos y viajes por Arles 2024/2025
  • Nederlands: Arles Rondreizen 2024/2025

Amphitheatre in Arles, Provence, France

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Roman treasures, shady squares and plenty of Camarguais culture make Arles a seductive stepping stone into the Camargue. And if its colourful sun-baked houses evoke a sense of déjà vu, it’s because you’ve seen them already on a Van Gogh canvas – the artist painted 200-odd works around town, though sadly his famous little ‘yellow house’ at 2 place Lamartine, which he painted in 1888, was destroyed during WWII.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Arles. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Amphitheatre in Arles.

In Roman Gaul, every important town had an amphitheatre, where gladiators and wild animals met their (usually grisly) ends. Few examples have survived,…

Facade of art museum Foundation Vincent van Gogh in Arles, France.

Fondation Vincent Van Gogh

Housed in a listed 15th-century manor, now twice repurposed (its other incarnation was as a bank), this Van Gogh–themed gallery is a must-see, as much for…

Musée Réattu

Musée Réattu

This superb 150-year-old museum, housed in an exquisitely renovated 15th-century Hospitaller priory by the Rhône, might be assumed old-fashioned, yet its…

Musée Départemental Arles Antique

Musée Départemental Arles Antique

This striking cobalt-blue museum perches on the edge of what used to be the Roman chariot-racing track (hippodrome), southwest of central Arles. The…

Fondation Luma

Fondation Luma

Arles' already-bulging cultural landscape avidly awaits this new cutting-edge gallery and arts centre, rising inexorably at a defunct railway depot in the…

Théâtre Antique

Théâtre Antique

It's easy to admire the grace and engineering of this theatre – built at the behest of the unofficial first Roman Emperor, Augustus, in the 1st century BC…

Cryptoportiques

Cryptoportiques

The origins of these fascinating underground chambers, now sitting below the current city centre, go at least back to the first Roman colony in Arles in…

Église St-Trophime

Église St-Trophime

Named for Arles' semi-mythical first archbishop, this Romanesque-style church, built over a 5th-century basilica, was a cathedral until the bishopric…

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tour guide for arles

Latest stories from Arles

tour guide for arles

Jan 31, 2020 • 8 min read

Love art and running? Then there is no better way to take in the scenes of Cézanne and Van Gogh's greatest works than by sightrunning through Provence.

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Private Guided Tour of Arles

tour guide for arles

  • Professional guide
  • All entrances to the monuments and museums of Arles
  • Entry/Admission - Amphitheatre (les Arenes)
  • Entry/Admission - Théâtre Antique
  • Entry/Admission - Cryptoportiques
  • Entry/Admission - Eglise St-Trophime
  • Entry/Admission - Van Gogh Walk
  • Tourist Office of Arles, 9 Bd des Lices, 13200 Arles, France
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
  • Eglise St-Trophime
  • Théâtre Antique
  • Amphitheatre (les Arenes)
  • Cryptoportiques
  • Van Gogh Walk

Similar experiences

tour guide for arles

  • You'll start at Tourist Office of Arles 9 Bd des Lices, 13200 Arles, France See address & details
  • 1 Amphitheatre (les Arenes) Stop: 20 minutes - Admission included See details
  • 2 Theatre Antique Stop: 30 minutes - Admission included See details
  • 3 Cryptoportiques Stop: 20 minutes - Admission included See details
  • 4 Eglise St-Trophime Stop: 20 minutes - Admission included See details
  • 5 Van Gogh Walk Stop: 20 minutes - Admission included See details
  • You'll return to the starting point

tour guide for arles

  • GodfreydeZilla 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Dancing Recommended Interesting historic remain with excellent views of Avignon and the Rhone. Site of the famous dance. Only goes 2/3rd of the way across the river. Read more Written February 11, 2024
  • Z127VPinesp 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A perfect discovery of Aix ! Romain is a great professional and took great care of our family. We highly recomand him for your tour in Aix en Provence. Read more Written January 30, 2024
  • G7368RWjohno 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour guide Your guide Roman was the best guide we ever met. I highly recommend anyone discovering Provence with Roman ! Read more Written November 18, 2023
  • G7368RWjohno 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Thank you ! The guide came to pick us up at our hotel and we had an excellent day exploring Provence. I recommend this tour. Read more Written November 18, 2023
  • Safari22495884513 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Outstanding experience We enjoyed our day with our tour guide Romain. He came for on the pier where our ship docked in Marseille. His English is perfect and his knowledge is astonishing. I recommend this tour guide He's number is+336 9585 9666 Enjoy ! Read more Written August 13, 2023
  • KTMSK 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles They Cancelled On Us! If allowed to give a ZERO to the Provence Private Tour Company I would. I booked and paid for this tour in advance. My family of 5 was to be picked up at the Port in Marseille. I sent 4 email correspondence to the company that were unanswered and tried to call them several times with no answer. I called Viator the day before the tour to reach out to them and STILL heard nothing. Then, the night before our tour they cancel due to the "van breaking down". They did refund the money. If you look in other reviews this was not the first time for a short notice cancellation. Book at your own risk. Read more Written May 29, 2023
  • 262_lkerk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour from Marseille Port. We really enjoyed the service provided by this company. Sylvie is a great guide. We had an excellent day. Read more Written May 24, 2023
  • SharonK1578 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles CANCELLED WITH NO ALTERNATIVE Tour was booked and paid in full - yet cancelled a few days before, while on cruise. Impossible to make other arrangements - so did nothing and missed seeing the towns. You only get one chance and thanks to Viator and Provence Private Tour - our chance was ruined. BOOK WITH ANYONE ELSE!!! Read more Written May 10, 2023
  • cajunbeat 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour of Aix en Provence, Cassis and Marseille. We had a wonderful guide, Paul. He was very informative and took our group of 8 to some beautiful places. Highly recommend. Read more Written May 1, 2023
  • aaronsI7916MG 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour ! We got picked up at our hotel in Aix en Provence by Emily. She speaks very nice English and shew us everything in Marseille. I recommend this tour ! Read more Written January 15, 2023
  • patmV7188JS 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Perfect tour ! We chose this tour because we wanted to see Van Gogh's asylum and the exhibition at Les Baux de Provence and I must admit that the tour was beyond our expectations. Our guide Romain was incredibly knowledgeable and knew all about Van Gogh's life. We were also amazed by the Roman heritage in the area and had time to stop at an olive oil farm. Read more Written December 18, 2022
  • marysW3916TR 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Cassis is the must We had a very nice day from our cruise ship docked in Marseille with our guide Stephan. We loved Aix en provence for its a very elegant city with nice and old buildings, we also liked Marseille a lot but the best is Cassis and its huge cliff with an amazing view on the national park. Read more Written December 15, 2022
  • B6135SDemilyg 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour in Provence Excellent tour in Provence with Alexandra. She shew us wonderful places and we tasted local food. A lovely day ! Read more Written December 7, 2022
  • 430deliaw 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour guide A wonderful tour with our guide Romain. He picked us up at our hotel in Aix en Provence and gave us a very nice tour in Avignon and in the Popes Palace. We had lunch in a lovely restaurant in the center and then went to Pont du Gard. All the day was as expected and we didn't expect to have a guide with a perfect English and an incredible knowledge. We recommend Romain if you want to explore Provence. Read more Written November 28, 2022
  • Y4886KJpierred 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very Nice tour Excellent discovery of Nice old town with Mary. We also walked along the English avenue and took the elevator to the top of the hill where the view over the bay is somptuous Read more Written October 20, 2022

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Sharon S

Private Guided Tour of Arles provided by Provence Private Tour

Ostrich Trails

Ostrich Trails

Because it is a walking bird and walking is what we do.

Arles Walking Tour

Home » Europe » France » Arles Walking Tour

A street in Arles, Provence, southern France

By Vicky · Published Sep. 15th, 2023 · Updated Sep. 21st, 2023

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A walking tour of Arles is a wonderful way to explore the Provençal town’s rich history, Roman heritage, vibrant culture and Van Gogh links.

Page Contents:

This walk starts from the Place de la Republique , a square in the centre of Arles. It’s a 15-minute walk from Arles train station or a 5-minute walk from the Parking du Centre (€2 per hour, larger cars will struggle with the tight entrance).

Arles Walking Tour Map

Get the route by downloading the .gpx or .kml file below. For navigation with Maps.me on your mobile phone, simply download the .kml file and open to add it to the Maps.me bookmarks.

Tips for Arles Walking Tour

  • There are several tourist passes you can buy if visiting Arles, see the box below for details.
  • Make sure to visit the amazing Pont du Gard and Nîmes nearby!

For more walking tours and hikes, check out the lovely walk around Les Baux-de-Provence , or a Bird Walk in the Camargue . Alternatively, see our France Hiking Page .

Top Sights in Arles

On this self-guided walking tour you’ll see the main sights and attractions of Arles. You don’t need to spend more than one day in Arles just to walk around, but you need at least a couple of days if you visit a few of the museums and old Roman attractions. Arles also makes a good base for exploring the surrounding region. This is a self-guided walking tour, you can find a guided walking tour of Arles here *.

  • Place de la Republique
  • St Trophime Cloisters
  • St Trophime Cathedral
  • Cryptoportico
  • Roman Theatre
  • Roman Amphitheatre
  • Musée Réattu
  • Thermes de Constantin
  • van Gogh Foundation
  • Place du Forum
  • Arlaten Museum
  • Espace Van Gogh

You can also some popular sights and attractions in Arles that are slightly further from the centre. You can also walk to the Alyscamps Necropolis , Archaeology Museum , or the Luma Arles Museum but it will make the walking tour a bit longer. Additionally, a 10-minute bus ride away from Arles is the Abbaye de Montmajour , a beautiful Abbey with lots to do. The Camargue Museum is a 25-minute bus ride from Arles, or you can go on a great Camargue Safari from Arles *. You travel in an open-air vehicle and can see flamingoes, the wild Carmague horses, bulls, and birdlife!

Combined Ticket Passes for Arles

There are several combined tickets you can get to see all the best sights in Arles. If you’re staying in Arles for one or two days, the combined ticket or Pass Liberté are good options. The Pass Avantage is only useful if you are staying for a bit longer, else you won’t be able to visit everything that’s included.

  • Pass Avantage €19/16 (valid for 6 months): 6 monuments + the Réattu Museum + the Arlaten Museum + the Archeological Museum + the Camargue Museum
  • Pass Liberté €15/13 (valid for 1 month): 4 monuments of your choice + the Réattu Museum + the Arlaten Museum or the Archeological Museum or the Camargue Museum
  • Combined ticket €9/7 (2 consecutive days): Amphitheater + Roman Theater or Alyscamps + Saint-Trophime’s Cloister

Arles Monuments list: Amphitheater (€9/7), Roman Theatre (€5/4), Baths of Constantine (€5/4), Cryptoportico (€5/4), Alyscamps Cemetery (€5/4), Saint-Trophime’s cloister (€6/5). Opening hours of these monuments: May-Sep 9am-7pm, Mar, Apr & Oct 9am-6pm, Nov-Feb 10:30am-4:30pm.

Best Museums in Arles

Museums in Arles

The best museums in Arles are probably the Archeological Museum which displays a lot of Roman artifacts, and the Museon Arlaten which is a super interesting ethnographic museum.

Arles Walking Tour Route

This walking tour starts from the Place de la Republique in the centre of Arles. The Tourist Office * (open 9am-12:45pm & 2-4:45pm) is 1 minute south of here, just across the main road if you want more information or to pick up some maps or leaflets.

1. Place de la Republique

Place de la Republique, the start of a self-guided walking tour of Arles

The Place de la Republique * is the central square in Arles, dominated by the Hotel de Ville and a 4th-century Roman obelisk in the centre. There are several historic sights around the square, including the St Trophime Cloister, the St Trophime Cathedral and the Cryptoporticos. There are several cafes around the edges of the square and it’s a nice place to start a walking tour of Arles.

Directions: The next attractions in Arles are all around this square.

2. St Trophime Cloister

Key Information: Open May-Sep 9am-7pm, Mar, Apr & Oct 9am-6pm, Nov-Feb 10:30am-4:30pm. Tickets are €6/5 or part of a combined ticket.

The St Trophime Cloister * is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a beautiful sanctuary in the centre of Arles. There are many information boards within the cloisters in both French and English that bring the history of the cloister to life. The cloisters date from the 21th-14th centuries with a mix of earlier Romanesque and later Gothic styles.

3. St Trophime Cathedral

St Trophime Cathedral

St Trophime Cathedral * is a large Romanesque Catholic church. The front on the square is richly carved with depictions of events from the bible. On the front, the scenes are mainly from the Apocalyse, with the lions representing sin. The inside is also wonderful and full of artworks such as carvings, tapestries, statues and side chapels.

Finding Van Gogh in Arles

Cafe Terrace at Night in Arles, a stop on a walking tour that leads to van Gogh sites

There are several sights of interest in Arles for those who are fans of Vincent Van Gogh. Vincent van Gogh spent 16 months in Arles, arriving in 1888. He painted over 300 works during his stay. He then left for Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (45 minutes drive northeast).

There’s a special Van Gogh Circuit in Arles where you can visit places that you can recognise from van Gogh’s paintings. However, most of them have changed quite a bit since van Gogh was here so don’t expect any exact replicas! The best spots are mentioned below and marked as viewpoints on the map of this walking tour.

  •  In Place du Forum you can see the cafe in the painting Cafe Terrace at Night.
  • L’Espace Van-Gogh is the garden of the former hospital where van Gogh stayed and painted The Asylum Garden at Arles.
  • At the Trinquetaille Bridge viewpoint, you can see the staircase in the painting Trinquetaille Bridge in Arles, though it’s a bit obscured by a tree now.
  • The painting Les Alyscamps was created in the Alyscamps necropolis and shows an alleyway of trees.

4. Cryptoportiques

Key Information: Open May-Sep 9am-7pm, Mar, Apr & Oct 9am-6pm, Nov-Feb 10:30am-4:30pm. Tickets are €5/4 or part of a combined ticket.

The Cryptoportiques * are the foundations of what used to be a large Roman forum, though now only the much smaller Place du Forum remains above ground. A cryptoporticus is an underground vaulting system that supports the structures on top, often with arches.

Once you descend the stairway, it’s lovely and cool and a series of underground chambers and archways. There aren’t any English translations inside but there are photos, maps and diagrams which help explain the layout and history. It can be quite eerie underground, especially if there aren’t too many other people there.

Directions: Leave the square towards the centre of Arles and take the first right along Rue de la Calade. You’ll soon see the stone ruins on your right.

5. Roman Theatre

Ancient Roman Theatre, a stop on a self-guided walking tour through Arles

The Roman Theatre * is a peaceful place which you can explore at your leisure. There are beautiful columns and classic semi-circular seating. It was built around 12 BC during the reign of Augustus Caesar, and at the time up to 10,000 spectators could watch events here. It’s not a huge area and you can see a lot of it from the outside, but with a combination ticket it is worth seeing.

Directions: Head past the theatre and turn left. Walk around the amphitheatre, via a viewpoint, to the entrance on its northern end.

6. Arles Roman Amphitheatre

Arles Roman Amphitheatre, a stop on a walking tour through the town in Provence

Key Information: Open May-Sep 9am-7pm, Mar, Apr & Oct 9am-6pm, Nov-Feb 10:30am-4:30pm. Tickets are €9/7 or part of a combined ticket.

The R oman Amphitheatre *, also known as Les Arènes was built around 90AD. It’s one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the world, and you can explore this ancient arena, which once hosted gladiator battles and other events. Its seating capacity is roughly 20,000. Today it’s often used for concerts and bullfights.

There’s not too much to see inside, but you are free to wander about as you want and there’s a good view from the top of the tower. A couple of information boards near the entrance (on the north side) explain its history.

Directions: Walk down the wide steps, continue a short distance and head left through the narrow, atmospheric lane. At the T-junction, turn right and take the second left. The Réattu Museum is in the old building on your right.

7. Réattu Museum

Réattu Museum, one of the things to do in Arles, Provence, southern France

Key Information: Open Tue-Sun 10-5/6pm. Tickets are €8/6.

The Reattu Museum ( Website , Tripadvisor Reviews *) is located in a lovely building, formerly a priory, near the Rhone. It’s not huge and there is a mix of more and less famous artworks inside. These include paintings, sculptures photographs and drawings from a wide time range. The museum is named after the Arles-born painter Jacques Réattu and includes many of his works, along with others by Picasso and many other artists. All captions and explanations are in French.

Directions: Turn right out of the museum and you’ll see the next stop.

8. Thermes de Constantin

Thermes de Constantin

The Thermes de Constantin *, or Roman Baths of Constantine, are well-preserved and provide insight into the daily life of the Romans. You can see some of the baths and the complex without actually entering and there’s not too much extra to see inside. There are scenic views of the River Rhone nearby and quite a few different rooms with baths of different temperatures. The baths become more interesting if you buy a short guide that brings the Thermes to life. Apart from that, there are only a couple of information boards explaining everything.

Directions: Continue past the Thermes, head left then right and you’ll see the van Gogh Foundation on your left.

9. Vincent van Gogh Foundation

Vincent van Gogh Foundation, a stop on a walking tour through Arles

Key Information: Open daily 10-6pm. Tickets are €10/8/3.

The Vincent van Gogh Foundation ( Website , Tripadvisor Reviews *) focuses on how modern artists are influenced by van Gogh. There are not many paintings by van Gogh himself, instead there are many letters written by famous artists and similar displays. It’s interesting if you’re into art and the art world, but you’ll be disappointed if you expect to see a lot of famous van Gogh paintings. They do have interesting exhibits sometimes, so make such to find out what is on.

Directions: Take a walk to the Rhone River. Head left at the river to the bridge, where you can see the Stairway Trinquetaille as painted by van Gogh. After the viewpoint continue onwards and take the first left. At the peaceful square turn left. Cross the main road and wind your way to the Place du Forum.

10. Place du Forum

Walking through the Place du Forum in Arles on a tour of the town

The lively Place du Forum * was the centre of Arles in Roman times. It’s now a popular square filled with restaurants and cafes, but you can still see the columns of the Forum in the walls of a hotel at the far end. Le Café Van Gogh is also in this square, famous for being in van Gogh’s painting Café Terrace at Night. You can get a photo that looks fairly similar to his painting, though the cafe itself is overpriced as you might expect.

Directions: Walk down the street past the cafe, then turn right at the end. At the corner turn left and you’ll reach the entrance to the next museum.

11. Arlaten Museum

Arlaten Museum, one of the things to do in Arles

Key Information: Open Tue-Sun 9:30-6pm. Tickets are €8/5.

The Arlaten Museum ( Website , Tripadvisor Reviews *) has been extensively renovated recently and is now a highly recommended ethnographic museum. It documents the social and cultural life of people living in Provence 150-100 years ago. In this unique museum, artifacts tell stories from different ages. There are enough English translations and you could easily spend a few hours here.

Directions: Head down the street opposite the museum and take the first right.

12. Espace Van Gogh

Espace Van Gogh / Old Arles Hospital, a stop on a walking tour

Key Information: Open daily 8am-6pm, free entry.

The Espace Van Gogh * is located in the Old Arles Hospital where van Gogh was treated after cutting off his ear. Doctors diagnosed him with mania and delirium and he often sat painting in this courtyard garden while recovering. Van Gogh painted ‘The Asylum Garden at Arles’ here and it’s easy to recognise, perhaps the least changed vista since van Gogh’s time. Around the edge of the courtyard there are now little souvenir shops and expensive cafes.

This is the end of the Arles self-guided walking tour. You can now head back to explore more streets of the centre, or discover some of the other attractions slightly further from the centre of Arles.

Things to Do in Arles further from the Centre

Archeological museum.

Key Information: Open daily 9:30am-6:00pm, closed Tuesdays. Tickets cost €8/€5, or in a combined ticket. Audioguide recommended, but there are also captions in English.

The Archeological Museum, also known as the Musee Departemental Arles Antique ( Website , Tripadvisor Reviews *) is a 15-20 minute walk from the centre of Arles, or a 10-minute bus ride. The Archeological Museum sounds like it might be dull, but it’s actually one of the best museums in Arles, so worth the short distance to get there. You could easily spend a few hours here to see everything.

The museum is full of amazing Roman artifacts, the highlight being a complete boat, or river barge, found recently in the nearby Rhône. There are also statues, mosaics, and much more, with the artifacts all well-displayed. You’ll learn a lot about the history of Arles and the Roman period while you’re here.

Les Alyscamps Cemetery

Les Alyscamps Cemetery *, or Necropolis, is a 10-minute walk from the central Place de la Republique. It’s famous for its ancient sarcophagi and picturesque avenues of trees (that van Gogh painted). It’s quite a serene and atmospheric place to explore, though can be a little creepy. It’s an ancient Roman Necropolis but continued to be used for many centuries afterward. In Medieval times was one of the most famous cemeteries in the world.

During this period, Roman cities forbade burials inside the walls, hence the location of this cemetery a little distant from the centre. Many of the sarcophagi have unfortunately been damaged or removed, but you can also see the little Church of St Honorat and a chapel, both of which are rather lovely.

Key Information: Open daily 10-7:30pm. Free entry. Book online in advance during busy periods.

The Luma Arles ( Website , Tripadvisor Reviews *) is a 10-minute walk from the centre of Arles, not far from the Alyscamps. It’s a new exhibition space and art museum with both French and English captions. The artworks are variable, but the building itself is architecturally interesting, designed by Frank Gehry (famous for the Sydney Opera House among others). It used to be an abandoned railway yard, now it’s a futuristic steel tower that can be seen from far away. On your visit you can climb the tower for great views.

The grounds are perhaps the most interesting part, full of old mainly train-related buildings, though these are not well-explained. Remember to ask at the reception for a map. There are also a couple of cafes in the complex, though they tend to be overpriced.

Camargue Museum

Camargue Museum

Key Information: Open daily 9am-6:00pm. Tickets cost €7/4. Directions: Take Bus A50 from Antonelle bus stop to the Camargue Museum. The bus takes 30 minutes.

The Camargue Museum shows how life in the Camargue has changed over time. It’s housed in a renovated sheepfold in the heart of the Camargue. You can go on a lovely walk from here, best experienced early mornings or later in the afternoon. You can also explore the Camargue on a safari from Arles *.

Abbaye de Montmajour

Key Information: Open daily Apr-May 10am-5pm, June-Sept 10am-6.15pm, Oct-Mar 10am-5pm and closed Mondays. Tickets are €6, or free for under 26 year-olds living in the EU. Directions : Take the 702 Bus (€2.10, takes 7 mins) from Arles train station or Gorodiche bus stop.

The Abbaye de Montmajour ( Website , Tripadvisor Reviews *) is a beautiful Abbey situated in the countryside just outside Arles. Benedictine monks founded the abbey in 948 and the cloisters are really beautiful. The architecture is interesting as it has developed over time, and incorporates styles widely varying in time. There’s lots of information, in English as well as French, and it’s all well-presented. Don’t miss the climb up the central tower, from which there are great views. You could spend 2-3 hours here and walk around the nearby trails.

Best Places to Stay in Arles

Arles has many places to stay, from budget hostels to fancy hotels and everything in between. Check out the best hotels and apartments in Arles below:

  • Best Western Atrium *: A good value hotel very close to the centre of Arles. You can find free parking in the streets behind the hotel. There’s also an outdoor rooftop pool with good views of the city.
  • Hôtel de l’Amphithéâtre *: A hotel in a heritage building in the town centre with lovely rooms and friendly staff. It’s 10 minutes walk to the nearest parking garage, you can’t drive to the hotel itself.
  • Hôtel La Muette *: A typical provençal style hotel located in an old building with plenty of character and charming rooms. Nearest parking 250 metres away.
  • Aux Alyscamps Apartment *: A very good value two-bedroom apartment with a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine and a balcony. Additionally, there is free parking just outside, though the apartment is a short walk from the city centre.
  • Maison Arles *: A lovely 3-bedroom little house with a fully equipped kitchen and everything else you would expect. Free parking just outside. It’s a short walk to the city centre.

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19 Essential Things to Do in Arles [2024]: Art, History & More

  • Isabelle Hoyne
  • February 29, 2024

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Plan your perfect itinerary for things to do in Arles with our comprehensive guide, and make the most of your visit to this enchanting city in Provence. Immerse yourself in the vibrant scene of Van Gogh’s inspiration and wander through captivating Roman ruins. Discover the charm of Arles as you delve into its rich history and artistic treasures.

Nestled within the enchanting landscapes of Provence, where the golden light dances upon cobbled streets, lies the captivating town of Arles. With an air of timeless elegance, Arles beckoned this curious soul with the promises of its rich stories of history, artistic brilliance and resolute courage. 

One huge draw is the opportunity it presents to step into the footsteps of emperors and gladiators when traversing the ancient Roman ruins that grace Arles.

Any Ancient Roman history fan will be in raptures, transported back in time as you explore the majestic amphitheatre, standing proudly amidst the cityscape, its weathered stones silently whispering tales of ancient spectacles and bloody battles.

Remarkable too is its Roman theatre, where the echoes of poignant performances still linger, casting a spell upon those who tread its hallowed ground.

Arles has long been a muse for creative souls also, none more famous than the revered artist Vincent van Gogh. Discover the very streets and landscapes that inspired his masterpieces, where vivid brushstrokes come to life in vibrant hues.

It’s a delight to wander through the charming neighbourhoods, tracing Van Gogh’s footsteps and unraveling the essence of his artistic vision amidst the sunflowers, cafes and starlit nights.

Yet, Arles’s story extends beyond its artistic allure. It carries too a weight of valour and resilience, having been a battleground during the tumultuous days of World War II.

When in Arles, you will navigate streets that witnessed fierce fighting and brought out an indomitable spirit in its inhabitants, leaving an indelible mark on the town’s identity.

Perfect as a day trip but oh-so-deserving of more of your time, here are the very best things to do in Arles. 

Essential resources for visiting Arles

Train | Search train schedules & book tickets here Car | Search & book car rentals here Top rated tours & experiences in Arles: ☆ Arles 2-Hour Private Walking Tour ☆ From Arles: Half-Day 4×4 Camargue Safari ☆ From Avignon: In the Footsteps of Van Gogh in Provence ☆ From Avignon: Half-Day Van Gogh & Carrières de Lumières Tour Cultured Voyage’s accommodation picks in Arles : ✪ Hôtel & Spa Jules César Arles – MGallery Hotel Collection ( luxury option ) ✪ Hotel de l’Anglais ( beautiful boutique guesthouse ) ✪ Hôtel La Muette (atmospheric small hotel) ✪ Hôtel de l’Amphithéâtre ( lovely, well-located hotel )

Table of Contents

A little about arles before visiting, the best things to do in arles, things to see in arles on the map, things to do in arles in one day, how to get to arles, what to do in arles: faq, is it worth going to arles.

Whether you’re captivated by art, history, or simply the charm of a picturesque town, Arles is worth every moment of your visit. 

From exploring the ancient Roman ruins to immersing yourself in Van Gogh’s artistic legacy, this Provencal gem has something for everyone.

The town’s vibrant streets and terraced cafes breathe life into the masterpieces of Van Gogh, while the echoes of history resonate through its remarkable landmarks.

A brief history of Arles

Nestled in southeastern France , Arles  is a city with a captivating historical legacy. Its picturesque location on the Camargue plain, where the Rhône River shapes its delta, only further adds to its allure.

Arles rose to prominence during the days of the Ligurian tribes and eventually became a prominent hub of the Western Roman Empire.

Founded in the 1st century CE, the bishopric of Arles, established by St. Trophime, flourished for centuries, enduring until 1790.

The city witnessed various conquests and transitions, falling under the control of the Visigoths in the 6th century and Muslim invaders in 730. In the 10th century, Arles became the capital of the kingdom of Burgundy, later known as the kingdom of Arles.

It emerged as an independent entity, reminiscent of the Italian republics, gaining prominence in commerce and navigation. However, in 1239, it was absorbed into Provence.

Arles showcases an extraordinary wealth of Roman heritage, evident in its well-preserved landmarks. Its magnificent arenas, dating back to the 1st century BCE, still captivate visitors and serve as a venue for bullfights and theatrical performances.

Excavations at the Roman theatre have unearthed remarkable art objects, including the renowned “Venus of Arles,” now housed in the Louvre Museum. The Romanesque church of Saint-Trophime, founded in the 7th century, further stands as a testament to the city’s religious and architectural heritage.

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, Arles continues to enchant with its blend of historical significance and natural beauty. Notably, it served as a haven for the illustrious painter Vincent van Gogh during one of his most prolific periods, inspiring some of his masterpieces.

Today, Arles thrives as a river port, primarily catering to oil tankers, while industries such as chemical, metal, and paper manufacturing contribute to its economy.

Nevertheless, the city’s true charm lies in its rich history, captivating visitors with its ancient Roman complexes, enchanting streets, and a palpable sense of cultural heritage.

RELATED READING | Provence Itinerary: 5 Days of Enchanting Scenery, Historic Landmarks & Culinary Delights

How many days should I spend in Arles

To truly immerse yourself in the city’s charm and fully appreciate its treasures, I recommend that you stay in Arles and allocate 2-3 days. This timeframe allows for a leisurely exploration of Arles, enabling you to absorb its rich history and experience its cultural wonders.

During your visit, be sure to delve into Arles’ esteemed Roman heritage. Take in the impressive amphitheatre, an awe-inspiring relic of antiquity that has captivated visitors for centuries.

Explore the fascinating Roman Theatre and the evocative Baths of Constantine, testaments to the city’s glorious past.

Yet Arles extends beyond its ancient ruins.

Take leisurely walks along the scenic Rhône River, immersing yourself in the picturesque surroundings. Wander through the enchanting streets of the old town, where every corner reveals a delightful blend of history and contemporary charm.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the iconic St. Trophime Church, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture.

By spending a few days in Arles, you’ll have ample time to savour its unique ambiance, delve into its captivating history, and truly appreciate the cultural treasures it has to offer.

Is one day enough for Arles?

If you’re wondering whether one day is enough to experience Arles, the answer is both yes and no.

You can certainly see plenty of the city’s highlights in a day, from the ancient Roman amphitheatre to the striking Saint-Trophime church, not to mention the picturesque streets lined with charming cafes and boutiques.

But the truth is, when it’s time to go home, you may find yourself wishing for just a little more time to soak up the atmosphere of this captivating town.

If you have an interest in history and art, or simply love wandering the streets of new places, Arles has a special allure that’s hard to resist. So while one day is certainly better than none at all, don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to linger a bit longer in this gem of Provence.

It’s also a good base from which to explore Provence . You’re very near to the Papal city of Avignon , which makes it an excellent choice as an Avignon day trip option and also well positioned to explore the Luberon and Alpilles villages, as well as the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region .

RELATED READING | Visiting Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: Ultimate 2024 Travel Guide

1 | Roman Amphitheatre

When visiting Arles, a trip to the Roman Amphitheatre is an absolute must. This magnificent structure, inspired by Rome’s Colosseum, offers a truly immersive experience that transports you back in time.

I found it to be so evocative to walk under its seats through the intricate tunnels, with the echoes of the past ringing in my ears. 

Stepping onto the arena floor, you’ll be suitably impressed by the grandeur of the amphitheatre. Its elliptical shape, adorned with 60 semicircular arches, showcases the architectural genius of the Roman engineers.

The bleachers, accommodating up to 20,000 spectators, provide a glimpse into the social hierarchy of the time, with each row designated for specific social classes.

Imagine the vibrant scenes that unfolded here: thrilling fights, exhilarating hunts and captivating performances that entertained the entire population.

Even in the Middle Ages, the amphitheatre served as a refuge, transformed into a fortified city. Its walls withstood sieges and became an integral part of the city’s defence.

Today, the Roman Amphitheatre stands as a testament to Arles’ rich history. Major restoration work has revived its grandeur, making it the largest Roman monument in France. It’s still in use today, holding bullfighting events and Camargue races during ferias.

The amphitheatre also hosts gladiatorial reconstructions, allowing you to witness the intensity of ancient combat. And as evening descends, the arena comes alive with concerts and shows, providing a unique blend of historical ambiance and modern entertainment.

If you found Rome’s Colosseum to be impressive, then you’ll likely very much enjoy a visit to the Amphitheatre in Arles. Although smaller, there are also significantly fewer visitors so you can really have a good look around, without bashing elbows.

PLAN YOUR VISIT | Open daily except Jan 1, Nov 1 and Dec 25 // Mar-Apr & Oct from 9.00AM-18.00PM // May – Sep from 9.00AM – 19.00PM // Nov – Feb from 10.00AM – 17.00PM // Prices: €9 full price, reduced €7.

2 | Roman Theatre / Theatre Antique

The Roman Theatre Antique in Arles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the grandeur of ancient Roman architecture. Nestled amidst the bustling city, this historic gem beckons you to explore its semi-circular seating, once accommodating 10,000 spectators.

While the elaborate stage may have faded into history, the enduring columns and the majestic visitors’ entry evoke the splendour of bygone performances.

I ascended my way up to the top of the seating area, where panoramic vistas were the reward. From here, it was very easy to imagine the captivating plays, tragedies and comedies that unfolded here.

Discover the Theatre Antique’s rich cultural significance as a refined venue for Roman and Greek mimes and pantomimes, occasionally hosting exclusive “Men Only” events. Marvel at the enduring columns that pay homage to Emperor Augustus and the artistic prowess of the past.

Keep an eye out for the screen to the side of the visitor’s centre that’s easy enough to bypass. On it is an 8-minute long (or so) video that recreated what the theatre looked like in its heyday and my word – was it magnificent! Definitely set aside a few extra minutes during your visit to watch it.

PLAN YOUR VISIT | Open daily except Jan 1, May and Dec 25 // May – Sep from 9.00AM – 19.00PM // Oct from 9.00AM – 18.00PM // Nov – Feb from 10.30AM – 16.30PM // Prices: €9 full price, reduced €7.

3 | The Cryptoportiques of Arles

When doing my research before visiting and deciding what to do in Arles, the Cryptoportiques totally piqued my interest.

Buried far below ground level, these hidden galleries form the foundation of the Roman forum and boast impressive engineering, with great parallel barrel vaults resting on rectangular pillars.

It’s still not been ascertained quite what they were used for, but likely suggestions include storage space beneath the Roman city of Arles. 

Explore the 90-meter-long north and south galleries, connected by a 60-meter western gallery, and witness the remnants of a bygone era. Although not accessible to the public in Roman times, the complex north gallery once featured entrances framing a series of shops.

Later, a fourth gallery was added during a restructuring in Late Antiquity.

After years of excavation and clearing, these remarkable spaces were opened to the public, offering a captivating journey through Arles’ past. Immerse yourself in the captivating atmosphere as you wander through these ancient corridors and uncover the secrets of this archaeological gem.

PLAN YOUR VISIT | Open daily except Jan 1, May and Dec 25 // Mar – Apr from 9.00AM – 18.00PM // Nov – Feb from 10.30AM – 16.30PM  // Oct from 9.00AM – 18.00PM //  Prices: €5 full price, reduced €4.

4 | Baths of Constantine

These ancient thermal baths, situated on the banks of the Rhône, formed an integral part of urban life in the imperial period.

Experience the innovative hypocaust system that circulated hot air beneath raised floors, witness the well-preserved caldarium with its vaulted swimming pool, and explore the adjoining tepidarium.

Although partially incorporated into neighbouring structures, the cleared northern section offers a glimpse of the baths’ architectural grandeur.

Discover the social significance of these baths as popular meeting places and centres of relaxation. Immerse yourself in history as you uncover the secrets of this remarkable Roman site and gain insight into the daily lives of ancient Arles inhabitants.

PLAN YOUR VISIT | Open daily except Jan 1, May and Dec 25 // Mar – Apr from 9.00AM – 18.00PM // Nov – Feb from 10.30AM – 16.30PM // May – Sep from 9.00AM – 19.00PM // Prices: €3 full price, reduced €2.50.

5 | Saint – Trophime Cloister

Saint-Trophime Cloister in Arles is a true gem of Provençal Romanesque architecture. This esteemed Christian community, dating back to ancient Gaul, boasts a rich history intertwined with the rise and fall of empires.

As you enter this hallowed space, you’ll be captivated by its majestic nave, adorned with splendid vaulted ceilings and slender columns.

The dome-topped transept stands as a testament to the grandeur of Gothic design, while the radiant stained glass windows infuse the interior with a kaleidoscope of colours.

The pièce de résistance is the exquisite portal, an intricate masterpiece of stone carvings that depict biblical tales and symbolise the glories of the Church of Arles. Step into the peaceful cloister, where time seems to stand still amidst its elegant arches and tranquil gardens.

The Saint-Trophime Cloister not only echoes the echoes the spiritual significance of the past but also serves as a living testament to the enduring beauty of Provençal craftsmanship.

Immerse yourself in its sacred ambiance and experience the profound connection between art, history and faith.

PLAN YOUR VISIT | The interior of the church is open to the public during the day from 7:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Saturday from 9:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. // Full price €6, reduced €5.

6 | Place de La Republique

This bustling square, with its captivating architectural ensemble, bears witness to the city’s rich past and vibrant present and is situated in the vibrant heart of Arles. 

From its origins as a Roman Forum to the construction of the town hall in the 17th century, the square has evolved over the centuries, becoming an emblematic gathering place for the community.

The majestic obelisk, standing proudly at its centre, serves as a magnificent focal point, reminding us of Arles’ ancient heritage. Originally from the Roman circus, the obelisk was painstakingly transported and reinstalled in front of the town hall, adorned with symbols of power and glory.

As you stroll through the square, admire the harmonious fusion of diverse architectural styles, where facades in various periods and influences coexist in perfect harmony.

RELATED READING | 23 Fabulous Things To Do in Avignon, France

7 | Van Gogh walking trail

During his time in the city from February 1888 to May 1889, Van Gogh created a remarkable collection of over 300 paintings and drawings. To commemorate his presence, Arles has meticulously curated a Van Gogh walking trail that takes you to the very spots where the artist set up his easel.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant ambiance of the Place du Forum, where Café Terrace at Night comes to life. Stroll along the Pont de Trinquetaille and marvel at the enchanting staircase captured in Van Gogh’s painting.

Wander through the Quai du Rhône and let the scene of The Starry Night transport you to another place.

Although no longer standing, you can visit the site of The Yellow House in Place Lamartine. Explore Rue Mireille and envision the nostalgic allure of the old mill depicted in Van Gogh’s art.

Continue your artistic pilgrimage to the garden of the Boulevard des Lices, where The Public Garden unfolds in all its colourful glory. Pay a visit to the Van Gogh space nestled within the serene surroundings of the nursing home’s garden.

Should you even wish, wander outside the city centre and find yourself on the road along the canal from Arles to Bouc, where the iconic Langlois Bridge to the Washerwomen, fondly known as Pont Van Gogh, captures the essence of rural beauty.

Finally, don’t forget to explore the legendary arenas and the atmospheric Alycamps, immortalised by Van Gogh’s masterful brushstrokes.

PLAN YOUR WALK | You can obtain a map of the route here , or from the local tourist office. 

8 | L’Espace Van Gogh

This architectural gem, built in the 16th and 17th centuries, embodies a rich history intertwined with the prosperity and modernisation of Arles. Originally established as a hospital, it served as a sanctuary of care during times of great need.

Throughout its history, the Hôtel-Dieu housed a diverse array of staff, including caregivers, administrators, servants and craftsmen. The sick were cared for by both laypeople and religious figures, with the nuns hospitallers of the Order of Saint-Augustin assuming care duties from 1664 onwards.

In the late 19th century, a remarkable guest graced the halls of this institution—Vincent Van Gogh. The legendary artist immortalised the hospital in several of his iconic paintings, leaving an indelible mark on its legacy.

Over the years, the hospital continued its mission until the 1970s and 1980s when it ceased operations.

A transformative period ensued as the disused hospital underwent extensive renovations, birthing the birth of a magnificent cultural and university space.

These renovations not only breathed new life into the building but also unveiled historical treasures from the city’s past, revealing vestiges dating back to its origins in the mid 16th century.

To experience f L’Espace Van Gogh, make your way to Place du Docteur Félix-Rey, with access from Rue du President Wilson. As you explore, don’t miss the opportunity to admire the enchanting old gate along Rue Dulau, offering a glimpse into the historical treasures that lie within.

9 | Le Cafe Van Gogh & Place du Forum

The Place du Forum holds a special place in the heart of both Arles residents and tourists, as it remains the liveliest and most popular square in the city.

It serves as a gathering point for various events and celebrations throughout the year and I particularly enjoyed pulling up a chair at a café here and watching the world go by.

One notable event that takes place on May 1st is the Fête des Gardians, where locals come together to pay tribute to Frédéric Mistral’s statue. During the Feria, the square becomes a hub of activity, attracting aficionados and creating a vibrant atmosphere that can be quite bustling to navigate.

However, the fame of the Place du Forum extends beyond its festive occasions. In 1888, Vincent van Gogh immortalised the square by depicting the exterior of a café situated in the Cité district, known at the time as the “Terrasse.”

This café later came to be known as Café Van Gogh, named in honour of the renowned artist himself.

Van Gogh’s painting of the café reflects his new impressions of southern France.

In a letter to his sister Wilhelmina, he described the artwork in great detail. He mentioned the small figurines of drinkers on the terrace, illuminated by a large yellow lantern that casts its glow not only on the café but also on the sidewalk and even the cobblestones of the street.

The gables of the neighbouring houses stand out against the blue sky adorned with stars, painted in dark blue or purple tones, while a green tree adds a touch of nature’s beauty.

This particular painting showcases Van Gogh’s unique style, characterised by warm colours and a captivating depth of perspective. It was the first time he depicted a starry sky, a motif that would reappear in his later works such as “Starry Night over the Rhône” and the iconic “Starry Night.”

As an interesting anecdote, the café that inspired Van Gogh’s painting underwent restoration in the early 1990s.

It was even painted yellow to emphasise its resemblance to the artwork, although it’s worth noting that during Van Gogh’s time, the café likely didn’t have a yellow exterior unless it was illuminated at night.

10 | Fondation Vincent Van Gogh

The Vincent van Gogh Foundation in Arles offers a unique approach to celebrating the artistic heritage of Vincent van Gogh.

While visiting, it’s important to check in advance what exhibitions will be showcased as they may not always feature Van Gogh’s own works, if that’s what you have your heart set on.

Van Gogh holds a significant place in 20th-century art and his influence continues to captivate both artists and the public. During his time in Arles, he created some of his most remarkable masterpieces in period that spanned just fifteen months.

The foundation establishes partnerships with public and private collections, allowing for temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

These exhibitions not only display Van Gogh’s paintings but also showcase the works of modern and contemporary artists, creating a dialogue between the past and the present.

Although I didn’t have the chance to see Van Gogh’s paintings during my visit, the foundation’s commitment to exploring the resonance of his work with contemporary art offers a valuable experience.

Exhibitions have featured renowned artists like Laura Owens, Roni Horn, David Hockney, Urs Fischer, Alice Neel, and Nicole Eisenman in 2022.

PLAN YOUR VISIT | Open daily from 10.00am to 18:00pm // Full price €10, reduced €8.

11 | Musée Réattu

The Musée Réattu in Arles, located to the north of the Cité district along the banks of the Rhône, is a captivating art museum that houses an impressive collection.

It showcases paintings by the Arles-born painter Jacques Réattu, drawings by Picasso, sculptures and a vast collection of photographs. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum regularly hosts exhibitions of contemporary art, further enriching its offerings.

The history of the museum building itself is intertwined with the illustrious Knights of Malta, a prestigious order of monk-soldiers founded during the Crusades in the 11th century.

The building, known as the Grand Priory, dates back to the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. It was the seat of the grand prior of the order and served as the venue for the assemblies of the commanders of the Provence region.

In 1868, the Grand Priory was acquired by Jacques Réattu, a painter and collector, who turned it into the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts. Over the years, the museum’s focus shifted towards contemporary art and photography, making it a significant cultural institution in the 20th century.

The Grand Priory consists of two interconnected commanderies, each featuring an inner courtyard.

The commandery of Saliers, constructed in the 15th century, boasts notable elements such as the magnificent south facade of the inner courtyard, a splendid vaulted room on the ground floor and a spacious studio on the first floor, which was once Jacques Réattu’s artistic haven.

The commandery of Saint-Thomas, later transformed into the Grand Priory, also centres around an inner courtyard, featuring a grand staircase, constructed in 1640 and loggias with balusters that connect the rooms and offer glimpses of the courtyard’s luminous ambiance.

The Musée Réattu invites visitors to immerse themselves in the rich artistic heritage housed within its walls. As one explores the diverse collection it becomes a journey through time and a celebration of artistic expression.

The museum’s setting within the remarkable Grand Priory adds an extra layer of historical significance, making it a captivating destination for art enthusiasts and history lovers alike.

PLAN YOUR VISIT | Closed Mondays & also Jan 1, May 1, Nov 1 & Dec 25 // Nov – Feb: 10am to 5pm //  Mar – Oct: 10am to 6pm // Full price €8, reduced €6.

12 | Arles Museum of Antiquity

The Departmental Museum of Ancient Arles, located in a modern building designed by Henri Ciriani on the site of the Roman circus on the banks of the Rhône, is a must-visit for those fascinated by archaeology, art, and history.

With its extensive collection and impressive exhibitions, the museum offers a captivating exploration of Arles’ archaeological treasures.

Its thoughtfully designed displays, organised chronologically and thematically, along with models and plans, make the ancient testimonies of the city accessible to all visitors. From prehistoric artefacts to late antique masterpieces, the museum showcases the diverse and vibrant history of Arles.

Since its opening in 1995, the museum has continually expanded its offerings to engage with the public. It now features an auditorium and the Hortus garden, inspired by Roman aesthetics, which adjoins the museum and the remains of the Roman circus.

The museum’s collections have been significantly enriched through excavations in the Rhône, leading to an 800-square-meter extension that houses nearly 500 objects related to trade and navigation.

Notably, the museum proudly exhibits the Arles Rhône 3 barge, a remarkable 31-meter-long vessel that was recovered from the river and meticulously restored. It stands as a striking testament to the bustling river trade during Roman times.

In addition to its permanent collection, the museum offers a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions, thematic tours, and educational activities for visitors of all ages. These initiatives aim to foster a deep appreciation and understanding of the archaeological heritage we have inherited.

Visiting the museum is an immersive experience that allows one to travel back in time, encountering the tangible remnants of Antiquity and gaining a profound sense of its enduring relevance.

PLAN YOUR VISIT | Closed Tuesdays & also Jan 1 & Dec 25 // Opening hours 9.30am – 18.00pm // Admission €5 to €8.

13 | Admire the Rhone River

In Arles, the Rhône River offers a mesmerising backdrop that has captivated artists throughout history, including the renowned Vincent van Gogh.

In his masterpiece, Starry Night Over the Rhône, Van Gogh beautifully captured the magical atmosphere of Arles at night.

Standing on the riverbank, just a stone’s throw away from his residence at the Yellow House on Place Lamartine, Van Gogh immersed himself in the captivating beauty of the nocturnal sky.

The play of light and the shimmering reflections on the Rhône became his muse, igniting his imagination and giving birth to this iconic painting.

Today, visitors to Arles can still appreciate the allure of the Rhône River.

Walking along its banks, you can immerse yourself in the very views that inspired Van Gogh. At night, he tranquil flow of the river, illuminated by moonlight, casts a serene ambiance.

Looking up, the starry sky above creates a captivating spectacle, transporting you into the world of Van Gogh’s imagination.

Taking in the views of the Rhône River in Arles allows you to connect with the artistic spirit that has permeated the city for centuries. It is a chance to witness the same captivating scenery that inspired Van Gogh’s brushstrokes.

The gentle ripples on the water, the shimmering reflections, and the vastness of the night sky all contribute to a moment of contemplation and artistic inspiration.

Take a moment to breathe in the atmosphere, admire the interplay of light and shadows, and let your imagination wander. In these moments, you become part of the artistic legacy that Van Gogh and countless others have left behind in Arles.

14 | Explore the streets of Arles

As you set foot on the streets of Arles, a world of enchantment unfolds before you. The Old Town beckons with its captivating blend of ancient history and vibrant charm.

Prepare to be immersed in a tapestry of narrow cobblestone streets, lined with quaint Provençal townhouses adorned with colourful shutters that seem to whisper stories of the past.

Wander at your leisure, for every turn reveals hidden treasures and surprises. Explore the non-touristy corners, where time slows down and the true essence of Arles comes to life.

Discover delightful shops brimming with local crafts, stumble upon cozy cafés serving aromatic delights, and be captivated by the authentic atmosphere that fills the air.

Allow the streets of Arles to guide you on a journey of discovery, where history and culture intertwine, and where every step is an invitation to immerse yourself in the soul of this remarkable town.

15 | LUMA Arles

LUMA Arles, a captivating arts centre nestled in the heart of Arles, invites you to embark on a multidimensional journey of artistic exploration.

Founded by Maja Hoffmann, the visionary force behind the LUMA Foundation, this creative haven is a testament to her dedication to supporting contemporary artistic endeavours.

Set amidst the picturesque Parc des Ateliers, the campus encompasses a vast expanse of industrial heritage, including the iconic Tower designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry.

At LUMA Arles, artists find a fertile ground for collaboration, creation, and presentation of their work.

Through thought-provoking exhibitions, immersive conferences, captivating live performances and groundbreaking architectural and design projects, the boundaries of art, culture, environment, human rights, and research are passionately questioned.

The diverse artistic programming, meticulously curated by Maja Hoffmann and an esteemed international advisory group, captivates visitors with the work of renowned artists, site-specific commissions, and awe-inspiring in situ projects.

The Parc des Ateliers, with its rich industrial past, provides a compelling backdrop for LUMA Arles. Immerse yourself in this remarkable setting where the Tower, an architectural marvel, stands harmoniously alongside the historic factories.

Witness the transformation of the former railway wasteland into a vibrant cultural landscape, where artists, thinkers, and innovators converge to ignite conversations that transcend boundaries.

As you wander through the captivating landscape garden, park, and pond designed by the visionary landscape architect Bas Smets, you’ll encounter a harmonious blend of nature and art.

Delight in the sculptures, installations, and artworks dispersed throughout the park, inviting you to contemplate and engage with the surroundings.

PLAN YOUR VISIT | Tower and exhibitions open from Wednesday to Monday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m //The admission point for The Tower is located 35 avenue Victor Hugo// Access free but reservation necessary. Book your free tickets here . Guided tours available.

16 | The Alyscamps

Once a sprawling necropolis in ancient times, this sacred site now reveals glimpses of its past through remnants and stories.

The Allée des Alyscamps, meticulously adorned by the Minimes monks in the 18th century, offers a picturesque pathway that has captivated the imagination of artists throughout the ages.

It was here, in 1888, that the likes of Van Gogh and Gauguin found inspiration amidst the romantic “Champs Elysées” of Arles.

While the passage of time has eroded many of the medieval chapels and funerary monuments, echoes of their grandeur remain. Standing proudly near the entrance is the Saint-Accurse chapel, an elegant structure built in 1520 to honour the fallen nobleman Accurse de la Tour.

The imposing monument of the consuls, erected in the 18th century, pays tribute to the courageous municipal councillors who perished during the devastating plague of 1721.

And not far away, the funeral chapel of the Piglet family, crafted in the 16th century, carries an air of solemnity and contemplation.

PLAN YOUR VISIT | Open daily except Jan 1, May and Dec 25 // Mar – Apr from 9.00AM – 18.00PM // Nov – Feb from 10.30AM – 16.30PM // May – Sep from 9.00AM – 19.00PM // Prices: €5 full price, reduced €4.

17 | Arles Markets

Every Saturday morning in Arles, the heart of the city comes alive as the market unfolds, stretching from Boulevard des Lices to Boulevard Clémenceau. It is a Provençal paradise, adorned with the rich colours and aromas of the region.

Wander along the two-kilometre stretch, indulging in the bountiful offerings that abound. From luscious fruits and vegetables to an array of cheeses, from vibrant flowers and aromatic spices to the finest cuts of meat and fresh fish, the market showcases the best of local and regional produce.

Allow your senses to guide you as you sample and savour the delights before making your selections. And it’s not just food—the market offers an array of clothing, shoes, and other treasures to explore.

For those seeking organic options, a farmer’s market brings together a diverse array of producers offering organic fruits, vegetables, rice, bread, and honey. It’s a testament to the commitment to sustainable and locally sourced products.

Mark your calendar for the first Wednesday of the month when the Boulevard des Lices transforms into a treasure trove for flea market enthusiasts. Uncover hidden gems, from antique furniture to captivating paintings, old books to postcards and an assortment of unique trinkets and jewellery.

It’s a haven for those who appreciate the allure of vintage and the stories woven into every piece.

18 | The Yellow House

In the charming city of Arles, nestled within the enchanting Place Lamartine, once stood a vibrant haven known as the Yellow House.

It was here, in this lively abode, that Vincent van Gogh found solace and creativity during his time in Arles. The Yellow House, with its distinctive hue, provided him with a sanctuary for artistic expression.

Van Gogh rented several rooms within the house, including a spacious atelier and kitchen on the ground floor, as well as smaller rooms on the first floor facing the bustling Place Lamartine.

It was in the guest room, with the window adorned with open shutters, that his dear friend Paul Gauguin resided for a significant period. Van Gogh’s own bedroom, slightly obscured by closed shutters, bore witness to his personal moments of reflection and introspection.

Adjacent to the Yellow House, a pink-hued building housed the restaurant where van Gogh would enjoy his meals. This establishment, run by Widow Venissac, not only provided sustenance but also held a special place in van Gogh’s daily routine.

The artist depicted the surrounding area with meticulous detail, capturing the essence of the Avenue Montmajour and the railway bridges that stretched across the Rhône.

Sadly, the Yellow House met its unfortunate fate during a bombing raid by the Allies on June 25, 1944, leaving behind only memories and van Gogh’s iconic paintings as a testament to its existence.

Today, the Yellow House exists only in the realm of art and imagination, reminding us of van Gogh’s profound connection to Arles – it’s still, however, possible to visit the site of the house, but do prepare to be left rather underwhelmed.  

19 | Visit the Camargue from Arles

Arles serves as a wonderful launching point for exploring the enchanting Camargue region. This captivating land of marshes, lagoons and untamed beauty offers a delightful escape for nature enthusiasts.

Embark on a journey through the Camargue’s vast landscapes, where you’ll encounter wild horses galloping freely and graceful flamingos adorning the shores. Horse riding adventures allow you to traverse the rugged terrain and immerse yourself in the region’s natural splendour.

Visit traditional Camargue farms, witness the skilled cowboys, known as gardians, in action as they showcase their herding expertise. Immerse yourself in the local festivals, embracing the vibrant bullfights, parades, and rhythmic music that embody the Camargue’s rich culture.

Savour the region’s culinary delights, indulging in dishes featuring local ingredients like succulent bull meat and flavourful rice harvested from surrounding fields.

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With just one day in Arles, it’s quite realistic to expect to see many of the city’s highlights and be able to immerse yourself in its unique atmosphere.

You can start by visiting the remarkable Roman Amphitheatre and the ancient Theatre Antique , experiencing the grandeur of Arles’ Roman past. Take a leisurely stroll through the charming streets of the Old Town , admiring the vibrant facades, quaint shops, and local cafes.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the iconic Café Van Gogh on Place du Forum , a place immortalized by the famous artist’s painting.

To delve deeper into Arles’ artistic heritage, you have two great options. You can choose to follow the Van Gogh walking trail , which will lead you to various locations that inspired the artist’s masterpieces.

Alternatively, you can visit the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh , where you can admire a collection of his artworks and gain a deeper understanding of his time in Arles.

If you have a keen interest in history, I recommend exploring the Cryptoportiques , a fascinating underground gallery that offers insights into the city’s ancient past.

This visit will take less than an hour, allowing you to make the most of your limited time in Arles. With the visit to the Crytoportiques, you’ll also likely be able to fit in a visit to the Cloisters of Saint Trophime , or a visit to the Baths of Constantine . 

Remember, while it may not be possible to see everything in just one day, this suggested 1 day Arles itinerary will ensure you experience the essence of Arles, from its rich Roman heritage to its vibrant artistic legacy.

Getting to Arles by car

If you prefer travelling by car, Arles is easily accessible by road. The city is well-connected to major highways, including the A54 and the A9. Depending on your starting point, you can plan your route and enjoy the scenic drive through the picturesque landscapes of Provence.

Remember to check for any traffic or road conditions before your journey.

Getting to Arles by train

For a convenient and comfortable journey, travelling to Arles by train is an excellent option. The city has a train station located in the heart of the town, making it easily reachable from various destinations in France.

There are regular train services connecting Arles to major cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon.

I personally visited Arles from Avignon by train, and the journey only took around 30 minutes. The train ride offers a chance to enjoy the beautiful countryside views as you approach Arles.

Be sure to check the train schedules and book your tickets in advance to secure your preferred travel time.

PLAN | Search schedules and book train tickets here . 

Guided tours to Arles from elsewhere in Provence

Arles and Camargue Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Avigno

Half-Day Van Gogh & Carrières de Lumières Tour

Aix-en-Provence

Arles, Les Baux & Saint-Remy de Provence from Aix

Arles, Les Baux and Saint Remy de Provence from Marseille

Is Arles walkable?

Absolutely! Arles is a wonderfully walkable city, with many of its main attractions located within a short distance of each other.

The compact size of the city makes it easy to explore on foot, allowing you to immerse yourself in its charming streets, discover hidden gems, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere.

Whether you’re strolling along the Rhône River, wandering through the picturesque Old Town, or following the Van Gogh trail, you’ll find that Arles is a joy to explore at a leisurely pace.

Is Arles a good base for Provence?

Arles makes an excellent base for exploring the beautiful Provence region. Its central location and well-connected transportation links make it convenient for day trips to other Provencal destinations.

From Arles, you can easily visit nearby towns and attractions such as Saint-Rémy-de-Provence , the Camargue nature reserve and the stunning villages of Les Baux-de-Provence and Gordes.

Arles itself offers a rich cultural and historical experience, making it a captivating base for your adventures in Provence.

Why is Arles famous?

Arles is famous for its rich history, Roman heritage, and its association with renowned artist Vincent van Gogh. The city boasts an impressive collection of Roman ruins, including the well-preserved Roman Amphitheatre and the ancient Theatre Antique.

Arles’ unique charm has attracted numerous artists throughout history, including van Gogh, who painted some of his most iconic works here. The city’s vibrant arts scene, with its museums, galleries, and cultural events, continues to draw art enthusiasts from around the world.

Arles is also known for its traditional bullfighting culture and its stunning natural surroundings in the Camargue region.

While it’s ideal to spend more time in Arles to fully appreciate its treasures, one day can still provide a memorable experience.

With careful planning and prioritising, you can explore the main attractions, such as the Roman landmarks, the Van Gogh sites and the charming streets of the Old Town.

Take a leisurely stroll, savour the local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this captivating city. While one day might not be enough to see everything, it will give you a taste of Arles’ beauty and cultural significance.

Where should I park in Arles?

Parking in Arles is fairly convenient with various options available to visitors. Here is some pertinent information in regards to parking in Arles:

  • From October 1 to April 30, parking is free on Saturday afternoons from 3 p.m., as well as on Sundays and public holidays.
  • Cirque Romain or Salvador Allende parking (P2), located near the Palais des Congrès, with 200 spaces.
  • SNCF train station car park (P6) with 200 spaces.
  • Aqueduct car park (P8) with 24 spaces.
  • For exploring the historic centre, it is best to park at the Parking des Lices or the Parc du Centre . This covered car park provides 500 spaces and can be accessed from Rue Emile Fassin. It is open 24/7.
  • Arles also uses the flowbird app to simplify parking payments. With this mobile app, you can conveniently pay for parking without the need for change or a credit card. The app also allows you to extend your parking duration directly from your smartphone. I’ve personally found it very handy. 
  • To make your return to the car park easier if your feet have given up on you, you can utilise the Hopla shuttle available in the city centre. This free shuttle operates from Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.and provides a convenient way to reach your parking location after exploring the historic centre.

READ NEXT | 10 Wonderful Avignon Wine Tours Worth Taking

Is Arles better than Avignon?

Both Arles and Avignon have their unique charms and attractions, so it ultimately depends on your personal preferences. Arles offers a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere, with its Roman heritage and strong artistic connections. It’s a great choice for those seeking a smaller, authentic Provencal experience.

Avignon, on the other hand, is known for its grand Papal Palace, vibrant city life, and the famous Pont d’Avignon. It has a bustling city centre and is often a hub for cultural events.

Both cities have their own distinct character and can offer a wonderful experience in Provence. If you can only visit one, I’d encourage you to choose Arles if Roman ruins are more your thing, or Avignon if you’d like to explore a well-preserved and quirky medieval walled city.

Both cities are great for art lovers. 

READ NEXT | Why It’s Worth Visiting Avignon: 11 Unmissable Reasons

Which is better to visit: Arles or Aix-en-Provence?

Both Arles and Aix-en-Provence are delightful destinations, each with its own unique appeal.

Arles is renowned for its Roman history, artistic heritage, and its location in the Camargue region. It offers a charming and authentic Provencal experience, with its winding streets, Roman ruins, and artistic connections.

Aix-en-Provence, on the other hand, is all about elegant boulevards, historic architecture and its association with famous painter Paul Cézanne. It offers a sophisticated atmosphere, beautiful squares, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Whether you choose Arles or Aix-en-Provence, both cities have much to offer, so consider your interests and preferences to make the best choice for your visit to Provence . I found both to be pretty wonderful, if I’m being honest! 

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Hi there! I'm Isabelle, aficionado of immersive travel experiences and unique, luxurious hotels. You'll most likely find me camera in hand, or nerding out on research in advance of my next trip. A major foodie, history and scenery lover, nothing makes me happier than soaking in the atmosphere and culture of the destination I'm visiting.

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Guided tour in Arles

A journey through history and art, visit arles, the provençal rome.

Join a tour guide to visit Arles, a city alive with history and art. Each stone here has a story, echoing secrets from long ago. Arles is a treasure trove of history and culture. Visit the grand Roman Amphitheater, a site of ancient gladiator battles, now hosting exciting events. This tour is a time-travel experience. Walk through Place du Forum, where past and present meet. Discover hidden gems at every turn, brought to life by the tour guide.

With a guide by your side, your visit to Arles becomes a deeply personal experience. They will help you decode Van Gogh’s landscapes, grasp the significance of the Ancient Theater, and savor the tranquil beauty of the Baths of Constantine. Experience the city through the eyes of a local, unveiling secrets unknown to most.

guided tour in Arles

Exploring Arles with a guide transforms your tour into an immersive journey. You’ll delve into the meaning behind each detail. Our guides don’t just showcase the well-known landmarks; they also lead you to lesser-known yet equally mesmerizing spots. Imagine stumbling upon a tucked-away gallery or a quaint tavern that might have welcomed Van Gogh. With a guide, these hidden treasures become accessible.

A guided visit to Arles is an invitation to a world brimming with cultural and historical marvels. It offers a unique opportunity to genuinely connect with the spirit of this magnificent city. Each moment of your visit turns into a treasured memory. Dive deep into the essence of Arles, guided by someone intimately familiar with its history.

visit arles with a tour guide

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure. Plan your guided tour in Arles, and get ready to uncover the city's soul with our expert guides.

Ready for a guided tour in arles.

Fascinating stories and extraordinary sites await you!

My recommendations in Arles

LUMA – cultural center Le Calendal – café Bar du Marché – café L’Affenage – restaurant

Must-See in Arles

The Arena of Arles The Church of Saint-Trophime Arles Departmental Museum of Antiquities The Alyscamps Vincent Van Gogh Foundation The Réattu Museum

tour guide for arles

  • My visits to the city
  • Guided/commented/unexpected tour

Conventional or unusual, visit Arles the way you want !

9 Boulevard des Lices 13200 Arles

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The Creative Adventurer

The Ultimate Self Guided Walking Tour of Arles, in the Footsteps of Van Gogh

tour guide for arles

Vincent Willem van Gogh , better known to the world as just  Van Gogh , is one of the most prolific artists (if not  THE  most) of all time. A tall order, but anyone who has ever had the chance to view his work, especially in person, can tell you;  his paintings are more than paintings . They are expressions. Emotionally compelling images of pain and suffering mixed with astonishing beauty.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Van Gogh Museum (@vangoghmuseum)

Van Gogh  was born in  Zundert  but spent one of the most important years of his life as a painter in  Arles, France .  Arles  and the provincial countryside inspired Van Gogh to create brighter and more exciting landscapes. This walking tour will wind you across the city, through its narrow, quaint and beautiful cobblestone backstreets. Our journey takes us along the  Rhone River  and into the various picturesque squares that Arles is famous for. The walking tour will show you the various works of art that Van Gogh painted while living in Arles and the buildings he frequented as a resident of this historic city. 

tour guide for arles

Roman Arles

Arles , a large city in the French region of Provence, has a long history that dates back to Roman times. Back then, it was one of the most important cities in the Empire. There are signs of occupations as early as 800 BC. The Romans took over the town in 123 BC and continued to enrich the city with their incredible architecture and infrastructure.  Emperor Constantine I  built the Roman bathhouses. His son,  Constantine II , was born in Arles as the emperor had made it a home away from home. In 408 BC, the new emperor Constantine made Arles the capital city of Rome. Arles became a cultural and religious centre throughout the late Roman Empire.

tour guide for arles

For hundreds of years, the city of Arles continued to hold absolute authority over those in power. Arles joined the countship of Provence in 1239. Due to its proximity to the river, it was a mighty trade city. But in the 19th century, with the advent of the railroad, its significance began to diminish. The town became stagnant, with little to no modern development.

Van Gogh Comes to Arles

But this relic from the past was precisely why Van Gogh was so drawn to the city. The city was full of memories yet peaceful enough to feel like an escape. Everywhere he looked, it seemed as if something was waiting to be discovered.

tour guide for arles

Sadly, after years of poverty and suffering from various mental illnesses, Van Gogh committed suicide at age 37. But this was not the end of his story. Despite not being appreciated during his lifetime, his impact in the history books is unmatched. And Van Gogh’s stories from Arles put the city back on the map. After years of almost being forgotten, the city suddenly was a hot spot for visitors trying to follow in his footsteps.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Van Gogh Studio 🎨🌻 (@vangoghstudio_amsterdam)

Accommodation

If you want to spend a night in Arles, the best place to stay is the little B&B,  L’aubergine Rouge . This little hotel is tucked away in the southwest corner of Arles on one of the most darling streets you’ll ever wander down. They have several rooms inspired by the painter where you’ll feel like you’re sleeping inside of his paintings.

tour guide for arles

Most people arriving in Arles arrive either by  car  or by  train . Arles is just an hour from Marseille, 35 minutes from Nimes, and 40 minutes from Avignon if you  rent a car . Often you’ll find if you are travelling from either Nimes, Marseille or Avignon, the train is often an even faster journey than driving! So long as the departure and arrival times align with your plans. The train from Nimes is 30 minutes, Marseille takes 45 minutes, and Avignon is only a 20 minutes journey. Most days, trains arrive and depart about every hour from these cities.

If you are driving into Arles for the day, the best place to park your car is in the  Parking Garage  near the  Post Office . This is just on the outskirts of town, meaning you won’t have to drive through too many narrow streets. Since it’s a little outside the centre, you also won’t have to pay a huge mark up for being in the middle of town. This parking lot is very reasonably priced and right beside the first stop on our tour.

tour guide for arles

Walking Tour

The Alyscamps

The first stop on the walking tour is the  Alyscamps Necropolis.  The  Alyscamps  is one of the oldest Roman ruins in Arles. Roman cities didn’t allow burials inside the city limit for fear of dead infecting the living. Therefore, roads into the city were often lined with tombs and mausoleums. And the Alyscamps was THE place to be buried! People had bodies shipped from all over Europe for the honour of being buried here. 

But during the middle ages, when it became more traditional to be buried in a church graveyard, the  Alyscamps  fell out of fashion. In the Renaissance, old roman sarcophagi were given as gifts to visiting dignitaries. And others were looted by local thieves. All of this contributed to the Alyscamps falling into disrepair, and eventually, it was a forgotten piece of history. The site was wild and overgrown and yet a naturally beautiful environment.

tour guide for arles

When Van Gogh arrived in Arles, it was still a ruin. He painted four scenes here in 1888, sitting in front of the ancient Roman ruins.  Paul Gauguin  was staying with Van Gogh during this period. Although their relationship was fraught with hardship, it also inspired the best in both artists. Van Gogh gifted one of his Alyscamps paintings to Gaugin. And even lost past his death, this painting hung in Gaugin’s room for years. Since Van Gogh made it famous once more, the  UNESCO World Heritage group  has turned it into a heritage site. And restored much of the place to be appreciated by visitors once more.

tour guide for arles

Jardin d’Eté 

Walk north along the  Avenue des Alyscamps  and turn left down  Avenue Victor Hugo . On the north side of the street, you will begin to see the bright green grass of the  Jardin d’Eté  starting to peek through. 

The  Jardin d’Eté  is a relaxing urban park situated against the backdrop of the ancient Roman amphitheatre. There are dozens of fountains and playgrounds, so it’s a great place for kids to have a nice runaround.

For Van Gogh, it was a place he would often come to paint on sunny, summer days. In a letter to his sister, he wrote of the gardens in the park:

I don’t know whether you can understand that one may make a poem by arranging colours…Similarly, the bizarre lines, purposely selected and multiplied, meandering all through the picture may not present a literal image of the garden, but they may present it to our minds as if in a dream. Van Gogh

tour guide for arles

Roman Amphitheatre

Walk north along the pathways in the park until you can exit to the east of the Roman Amphitheatre. You’ll walk out onto  Rue Porte de Laure . Continue walking along until you reach the imposing  Roman Arena . Built in 90 AD, the amphitheatre was capable of seating over 20,000 spectators. People would come from far and wide to watch chariot races and bloody hand-to-hand battles. Unlike the  Colosseum  in  Rome , this amphitheatre is still used for concerts and festivals to this very day.

tour guide for arles

Vincent went to many bullfights in his time in Arles. He wrote to his friend: 

Have seen bullfights in the arenas. The crowd was magnificent, great multicoloured crowds. One on top of the other on 2, three tiers, with the effect of sun and shade and the shadow cast by the immense circle. Van Gogh

Van Gogh painted a scene in 1888 entitled  Arena in Arles . The painting is more focused on the spectators than the action or environment. It is a rough and tumble painting. Quick brush strokes and unfinished shapes are obscured in the background. The speed of the painting reflects the voracious atmosphere of the bullfights. A small bull can be seen off in the distance. Spectators are excitedly turning to chat with their neighbours and cheering for their favourite fighters.

This jittery motion used throughout the painting was a technique that Van Gogh perfected under Gauguin’s influence. His paintings of dance halls also had the same, almost unfinished approach. This technique conveyed to the viewer the idea that some spaces were filled with such powerful energy they simply couldn’t be captured in a moment of stillness.

tour guide for arles

Rue Voltaire

From the arena, walk north along  Rue Voltaire . Walking down this street is like taking a step back in time. Dozens of vibrant cafes and restaurants pour out onto the street. Dazzling awnings hang off ancient stone buildings. Pastel shutters brighten up the rainiest day. You will see so many little scenes as you walk, which could have stepped right out from one of Van Gogh’s paintings.

tour guide for arles

Restaurant Carrel

When you reach  Rue Léon Blum , turn left and stop on the corner of  Rue Amédée Pichot . When Van Gogh first moved to Arles, he stayed in a room above the  Restaurant Carrel , owned by Albert Carrel and his wife. Vincent wrote to his brother Theo when he arrived in Arles:

At times it seems to me that my blood is more or less ready to start circulating again, which wasn’t the case lately in Paris, I really couldn’t stand it anymore. Van Gogh

tour guide for arles

Shortly after arriving in Arles, the lack of creativity he experienced in Paris disappeared. With his creative spark alight once more, he painted  View of a Butcher’s Shop . One can imagine that this butcher shop perhaps was painted from the very room he stayed in. Walking up and down this otherwise ubiquitous street gives you a sense of the area Vincent first called home in Arles.

 Vincent van Gogh [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

But Van Gogh didn’t live on this street for long as he often had mighty disagreements with his landlord. While he might not have loved his landlord, he did love the neighbourhood. It wouldn’t be long until Van Gogh would soon move into his iconic  Yellow House , which was just up the street.

As you near the end of the Street,  Rue Voltaire  turns into  Rue de less Cavalerie . You will pass through the two giant aged guard towers. These towers are surrounded on either side by the ancient city walls.

tour guide for arles

Yellow House

Across the roundabout, at the corner of Rue Georges Tinarage and Avenue de Stalingrad, is a simple restaurant. But this was once where you would have found Van Gogh’s beloved home. The same one featured in his painting  The Yellow House . 

The original house had four rooms and a small studio. Vincent painted the entire building bright, sunflower yellow. In the painting, you can see a train rushing by in the distance. These trains were Vincent’s way into the countryside, his beloved muse. More than any woman. He loved the city, but the wild sunflower fields, blossoming fruit trees, charming peasants and golden wheat fields were where his brush came alive.

tour guide for arles

Nuit étoilée sure le Rhône

Turning left, make your way towards the  Rhone River.  Here you’ll find the scene from painting  Nuit étoilée sure le Rhône . Don’t get this mixed up with  Starry Night , although they are both very similar and show Van Gogh’s obsession with capturing night effects. In a letter he wrote to his brother Theo, he said:

Often it seems to me the night is even more richly coloured than the day. Van Gogh

tour guide for arles

Nuit étoilée sure le Rhône  is an explosion of blue; Prussian blue, ultramarine and cobalt. Each one of these colours are contrasted with intense orange and yellow. The firery colours representing the gas lights reflecting in the water. A man and his wife walk along the shore away three boats, bobbing in the water. Whereas  Starry Night  is a dreamlike fury of brush strokes,  Nuit étoilée sure le Rhône  is a much calmer scene. The brush strokes are evenly spaced, and even the lights on the water are still. Not a single ripple seems to disturb them.

 Vincent van Gogh [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Musée Réattu

Continue walking down the water’s edge. The fantastic pedestrian promenade is ideal for taking in all the sights along the river. After about five minutes, you’ll reach the  Musée Réattu.  When Van Gogh lived in Arles the museum was a place he hated. He is quoted as saying:

The women are beautiful here, it’s no joke — on the other hand, the Arles museum is dreadful and a joke. Van Gogh

Van Gogh was very judgmental of other artists. Perhaps out of jealousy of those who seemed to manage to make the kind of living, he would never. During his lifetime, he only sold one painting. He couldn’t understand how people could see the greatest in these artists and not himself.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Musée Réattu (@musee.reattu)

Vincent van Gogh Foundation Arles

As a cosmic coincidence, the  Vincent van Gogh Foundation in Arles  is located only a few minutes south of the  Musée Réattu . In 1983, Yolande Clergue founded the  Association for the Creation of the Foundation Van Gogh . He was a long-time resident of Arles and believed there should be an institute to study and educate people on Van Gogh’s influence on modern artists in Provence. In 2010, the city of Arles gave the historic  Hôtel Léautaud de Donines  to the institute. It was renovated to become an educational space.

The museum features a large collection of Van Gogh’s letters and perhaps one or two original Van Gogh paintings. Don’t come here expecting to see those famous works of art. The museum is meant to highlight modern artists influenced by Van Gogh and the city of Arles.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katrina Burton (@treeburton)

Place du Forum

Walking along Rue du Dr Fanton and turning down Rue de la Place , you will come up the Place du Forum . The Place du Forum was once the historic city centre during the Roman ages. You can still see one of the ancient columns embedded into the side of the Nord-Pinus Grand Hotel .

tour guide for arles

Vincent’s fixation on the appearance of the world at night continues and is highlighted in Café Terrace at Night . He said in a letter:

In the past, they used to draw, and paint the picture from the drawing in the daytime. But I find that it suits me to paint the thing straight away. It’s quite true that I may take a blue for green in the dark, a blue lilac with a pink lilac since you can’t make out the nature of the tone. But it’s the only way of getting away from the conventional black night with a poor, pallid and whitish light, while in fact, a mere candle by itself gives us the richest yellows and oranges. Van Gogh

tour guide for arles

Le Café Van Gogh

Despite Vincent’s lack of popularity in his lifetime,  Van Gogh  is big business these days.  Le Café Van Gogh  is a recreation of the original cafe from the painting. Although it’s not the authentic spots from the painting, it has been done up to look as much like the real thing as possible. While the square is pretty busy and expensive, it is also a stunning place to sit with a coffee and enjoy the scenery. 

tour guide for arles

Old Arles Hospital

Walk south from the forum until you reach the  Old Arles Hospital . One evening, after Gauguin had made it clear to Vincent that he had made plans to leave, Van Gogh returned home alone. Suffering from hearing voices, especially when left alone, Van Gogh was tormented. In a fit of madness, he cut off his ear. Perhaps as a means to cut out the noise of the voices. Van Gogh bandaged the wound and wrapped the ear in the paper. He delivered it to a cleaning woman who worked at a local brothel that Gaugin and Van Gogh frequented together.

Van Gogh was found unconscious by a policeman and taken directly to the Old Arles Hospital the following day.  Félix Rey , a young doctor still in training, treated him inside his hospital. Van Gogh was diagnosed with “acute mania with generalized delirium during his time in hospital.” Vincent would go from being semi-lucid to suffering from hallucinations and delusions. His brother Theo came to visit him in hospital despite getting engaged the day previous. Nothing would keep Theo from being by Vincent’s side.

tour guide for arles

Hospital in Arles

Dr. Rey  felt sorry for Vincent. He would allow Vincent into the courtyard to paint on his more lucid days. And paint he did. Even today, this courtyard manages to bring a sense of peace to even the most scattered mind. The golden walls seem to glow in the sunlight. The garden is full of lustrous flowers which burst open in the afternoon. Van Gogh’s painting,  Hospital in Arles,  depicted the courtyard in 1888. Looking at it today, you can barely see the passage of time between the two.

tour guide for arles

Ward in the Hospital in Arles

He also created two other paintings during his stay in the hospital. One was a gift to Dr. Félix Rey. It was a portrait of the beloved doctor who showed Vincent genuine kindness. The second painting is entitled  Ward in the Hospital in Arles.  The scene is quiet and simple. But Vincent’s slight distortions represent the isolation and confinement while living here. 

tour guide for arles

Starry Night

In 1889, Van Gogh was committed to the  Saint-Paul de Mausole  asylum in  Saint-Rémy de Provence . From there managed to channel his pain into one of the most impactful paintings,  Starry Night . This painting is all about dreams versus reality. The natural versus the divine. It brings us into the beautiful madness inside Van Gogh’s mind. In his mind, he lived in the stars, beloved and looked up to by everyone on earth. The swirling, fluid paint in the sky contrasts the rigid city landscape below. Like a window into the heavens, a wonderful dream, unlike our structured reality. 

tour guide for arles

The Bridge of Trinquetaille

Walking back towards the river, walk up the water’s edge. Here you can see the scene from the painting of  The Bridge of Trinquetaille.  Van Gogh was in love with bridges. They are frequently featured in his works. In a letter to his brother, he wrote:

I have a View of the Rhône — the Trinquetaille iron bridge, where the sky and the river are the colour of absinthe — the quays a lilac tone, the people leaning on the parapet almost black, the iron bridge an intense blue — with a bright orange note in the blue background and an intense Veronese green note. One more effort that’s far from finished — but one at least where I’m attempting something more heartbroken and therefore more heartbreaking. Van Gogh

tour guide for arles

Walk out to the centre of the  Pont de Trinquetaille , where you’ll have a beautiful view across the  Rhone River . Looking out, see if you can spot all those magnificent colours Van Gogh spoke about in his letter. Van Gogh is an artist whose use of colour is unparalleled. He saw the world in a way that many of us simply miss. Take this time to yourself. Put away your phone or camera for the moment and simply look over the horizon.

tour guide for arles

While Van Gogh’s depression was something he couldn’t overcome, there is no doubt that, at least for a time, Arles gave him a momentary respite from the overwhelming sadness he felt in his soul. And no matter who you are, I hope that visiting Arles brings you the same sense of peace Van Gogh felt when he was here. You may even see a little bit of that magic Van Gogh etched into history. And bring a little bit of that magic home with you too!

tour guide for arles

Get the Downloadable PDF of the Van Gogh Arles Walking Tour!

tour guide for arles

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21 comments.

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Hi Laura, I liked your article on Arles a lot! There’s one little thing that needs fixing though; van Gogh was born in Zundert which is in the Netherlands, not Belgium, and which is the reason why he is Dutch. People who are born in the Netherlands are Dutch

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Wow, nice catch! Totally a mixup for me there. Thanks Michelle 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the article.

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Hey!! Really loved your article 🙂 I am a big fan of Van Goght and really look forward to visit Arle’s on April 2019 to do this lovely tour myself. I kindly wanted to ask you , in your opinion, how many days this tour in Arle’s should last to properly enjoy the experience. Many thanks again for your article.

Hi Andrea! Glad to hear you’re such a fan! April will be such a beautiful time to visit, all those awesome spring flowers in bloom. I think 2 full days should be more than enough. I think most people could do it in one long day but if you’re a big fan you’d wanna take your time and not rush through it. Plus it gives you can option if one of the days are rained out. If you’re a big Van Gogh fan, I’d suggest staying at Laubergine Rouge. They have a Van Gough themed room which you’ll love!

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Laura- Did you do the walking tour on your own? Or did you hire a company? If so, would you mind sharing their name? We will be visiting Arles next fall and I’ll love to schedule a walking tour like you described.

We did the walking tour all on our own! Just followed pretty much what I’ve laid out here. It’s such a wonderful city to explore on foot! Don’t be afraid to poke your head around hidden corners, you’ll never know what surprising secrets you’ll discover!

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Laura – Great article and very informative. I am going there shortly and you have given an excellent idea of what’s there.

Thanks Keith! Arles is such a great city to explore on foot, you’ll have a great time following this as well as discovering new things for yourself! Let me know what you loved most!

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Francesca M

I feel like I traveled there myself through this blog post. Thank you.

Thanks, Francesca! Hope you have an amazing time, it really is such a unique and beautiful place!

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My husband & I are planning a cruise that stops for the day in Marseille. We would like to take the walking tour of Arles as you’ve described (it sounds outstanding!). Generally, how long is the tour if you enjoy it at a comfortable pace? Is the weather pleasant in early September? ( [email protected] )

Hi Linda! So excited to hear about your trip plans, Septemeber is a great time to visit as it’s when the high summer heat starts to reduce but it’s still going to be nice and warm. I would give yourself at least 4-5 hours to soak it all in. The town is pretty small but it’s just nice to go at a leisurely pace to really study the intricacies of the environment and architecture. There’s a train from Marseille direct to Arles which should take a little less than an hour so you could early go there in the morning, enjoy some lunch and be back in Marseille for a late dinner. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions 🙂

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Do you offer a PDF of your tour? I would like a hard copy but don’t see a link. It sounds wonderful. Thanks

Hi Betty, I don’t have one available on the site but I can easily email you one 🙂

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Hi, Really enjoyed your information on the walking tour. Would you send me a hard copy of this tour? Please tell us where we start the tour. We are taking a Viking River cruise in May where we will be stopping in Arles for a day. Really looking forward to taking this walking tour. Thank you, Susan

Thanks so much Susan! I’ve send you an email to follow up 🙂 Cheers, Laura

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albert tecci

Hi we are planning a trip Sept 2021 and Arles and VH are our favorites. This is so valuable to us. And, please can we have a hard copy also.

Thank you so much Albert and Cheryl

laura.f.whelan

Thanks so much, Albert and Cheryl! You will have a wonderful time in Arles, a great place to visit in the fall! Let me know if you would like me to send you a PDF to your email address of the post and then you should be able to print that off for your hard copy. Unfortunately, I do not have buyable physical versions of the posts yet but the PDF printable version should work just fine.

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Blythe Hughes

Hi Laura – I would love to have a pdf of your walking tour of Arles. I’ll be visiting in May and have been looking for something just like this! Can you please email me a copy?

Hi Blythe, Thanks for your lovely comment! May is such a wonderful time of year to visit Provence. If you’re looking for a downloadable PDF you can get it here: https://thecreativeadventurer.com/product/self-guided-walking-tour-of-arles-downloadable-pdf/ Cheers, Laura

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Hello- please disregard my original message- I was able to download the document. Appreciate all do! S

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tour guide for arles

  • Itineraries

tour guide for arles

The Ultimate city guide to Arles, France

Arles tour guide: what to do and what to see among its main attractions. How to visit the surroundings, when to go and how to get there.

Arles  is a magical city of  Provence . Arles alone is worth a trip, as evidenced by its UNESCO world cultural heritage. Arles rests on a low hill, where the Rhone river branches in two parts towards the sea. The municipality is the largest in France, with ​​over 750 square kilometers. The city has an ancient history dating back to the 7th century BC, transforming it into a large Gallic and Roman settlement.

The main Roman sites, such as the  Arena  and the  Theater , are truly unique. They are integrated into the houses and buildings of the city, rather than remaining in a solitary and detached position, as happens in other centers of Provence. It was here that the famous painter  Van Gogh  drew inspiration for his brilliant works, and the warm colors of Provence and the nearby  Camargue  will be able to capture and bewitch you during your holiday in Arles.

Arles is known throughout the world for its Roman era’s richness and crystalline  Romanesque heritage . The monuments of the city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 include the Roman amphitheater (also called the arena), the beautiful Roman theater, the Cryptoporticus (bases of the Roman Forum), the  Roman Baths of Constantine , the remains of the  Roman circus , the  portal and cloister of San Trophime , and the  cemetery of Alyscamp.

This cemetery was the starting point for the “Chemin d’Arles,” also known as the Via Tolosana, one of the three medieval pilgrimage routes throughout France, leading to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

The Arles arena has a magnificent elliptical shape with a maximum length of 136 m. It could hold about 24,000 spectators welcomed by a double arch system, for a total of 120 arches, with Doric and Corinthian capitals in the upper part. The Roman amphitheater of Arles lives again today with the arena shows, now no longer bloody.

The large theater is also used for shows and cultural events. Two Corinthian columns remain of the great scene, called Deux Veuves, the two widows.

One of the artistic masterpieces of Arles is the church of St. Trophime, one of the most beautiful churches in all of Provence.

The facade has a magnificent, richly carved, and decorated portal. The interior is austere and straightforward, but the real masterpiece is the large cloister, an architectural marvel surrounded by slender coupled columns with historiated capitals.

All embellished with bas-reliefs and statues.

Discover Arles: Essential Tips for Exploring the Riches of this Historic City

You can first use a brochure on sale at the Tourist Office which describes the four pedestrian routes, based on the theme, which you can follow at your own pace.

Or you can follow the UNESCO World Heritage Trail, a one-and-a-half-hour walking route that represents a synthesis of the main monuments included in the four themed ways (described in a brochure on sale at the Tourist Office).

Alternatively, you can follow a guided tour (about 2 hours) open to the public during which you will be accompanied by a guide-teacher (ask for the program at the Tourist Office).

With your mobile phone or an MPS Walkman rented from the Tourist Office, you can discover the city with «Allo Visit,» an original and lively way to visit with audio curated by actors and more. Just call 3223.

Place de la Republique in Arles, France, guide to the best French cities of Provence

Also noteworthy is the “monuments pass” global ticket, which allows access to 6 monuments and three museums in the city. You can discover the city and its main monuments from Easter to October during a 40-minute bus tour with commentary in 6 languages.

Another activity you can do in Arles is a tourist train ride, between Arles and Fontvieille, the city made famous by Alphonse Daudet . Alpilles, the small train will take you to the foot of the Montmajour Abbey. If you like pedaling, you can safely use the bicycle: the cycle paths are marked in the center of the town.

In Arles, there are excellent museums of which three you should visit.

  • The Musée d’Arles et de la Provence Antique , i.e. the Arles archaeological museum, has been anchored on the banks of the Rhone since 1995, and was built by Henri Ciriani next to the remains of the Roman circus. It contains the archaeological collections of the city and the surrounding region, covering the period from the Neolithic to the late Roman and early Christian periods.
  • The Museum Arlaten , the local Ethnographic Museum, is instead housed in the former Laval Castellane house dating back to the 15th century. The museum was created in 1896 by Frederic Mistral, a regionalist poet, with costumes, objects, furniture, tools, objects connected with local religious traditions and superstitions, illustrating life in Provence during the 19th century.
  • The Musée Réattu , donated by Picasso, is the museum of fine arts, is housed in the former Grand Priory of the Knights of Malta. It exhibits the works of Jacques Réattu, a painter from Arles during the period of the French Revolution, between the 18th and 19th centuries, but also modern and contemporary authors of great depth such as the likes of Picasso, Zadkine and Alechinsky. The museum also has a remarkable collection of celebrated photographs including some shots by Henri-Cartier Bresson, Edward Weston and many more.

What to see in Arles, Roman Theater, Arles, France

Van Gogh Walking Tour

The  name Arles is closely connected with that of Vincent Van Gogh. It is impossible to evoke the light of Arles without avoiding the memory of his paintings. It was this luminosity that attracted Van Gogh to the south of France. Vincent arrived in Arles one day in February 1888, looking for the landscape’s light and its inner light.

Here he began a period of intense and passionate work under the bright sun of Provence. His stay in Arles was the most productive period of his life; more than 300 paintings and drawings were done in 15 months in one of the most brilliant chapters in art history. While there are no original Van Gogh paintings in the city, the shadow of his presence is everywhere. It is possible to take a Van Gogh Walking Tour in the city, a walking tour with ten well-marked points.

Among them, we remember the Place du Forum for the “ Evening Café,” the Trinquetaille bridge for the “Staircase of the Trinquetaille bridge, ” the Rhone quay for the famous “ Starry Night ,” the Lamartine place for the “Yellow House,” Rue Mireille for the “ Old Mill (old mill),” the summer garden on the Boulevard des Lices for the “Public Garden,” Espace Van Gogh for the “ Giardino dell’Ospedalel ,” and the road along the Arles à Bouc canal for the “Langlois bridge with washerwomen.” The Arena and the Alyscamps were also represented in several paintings.

Getting to Arles is very easy in Italy. From the Ventimiglia pass, continue along the A8, up to Aix en Provence; from here, continue along the A7, immediately afterward turning onto the A54, which (45 km) leads to Arles.

The  climate of Arles is typically Mediterranean  and therefore characterized by hot and dry summers. In July and August, the heat is felt, but the relative proximity of Arles to the sea and the hills maintains good ventilation. The summer period with little rain allows for several manifestations and cultural events in the city.

The wettest periods are instead autumn and winter, seasons in which it is not very cold, but the famous Mistral takes care of it to make the temperatures rather pungent.

Surroundings of Arles

To the southwest of Arles is Aigues-Mortes, a beautiful old town with a walled city, from where the Knights left for their Crusades . Probably very busy with tourists during the summer.

To the north-east of Arles is Les Baux-de-Provence. It is very touristy but interesting; it requires a lot of time for a walking tour, and finding parking is difficult during the season.

St. Remy-de-Provence is a beautiful city to visit with many exciting things; the abundance of terrace cafes makes it pleasantly attractive. To the east and northeast, the area of Cavaillon is an area of small villages close enough to discover freely.

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  • The Ultimate city guide to Aix-en-Provence, France
  • Cavaillon Travel Guide: Explore the Enchanting Gateway to Luberon’s Natural Beauty
  • Exploring Marseille: A Cultural Gem on the French Riviera
  • Gourdon, the village perched on the Gorges du Loup

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Travel Guide To Arles

Free travel guide to Arles France

The amphitheatre and Roman walls of Arles speak of the Provençal city's Roman past, but the warm influence of rural tradition is apparent everywhere you look. Van Gogh came to Arles in February 1888 in search of some southern colour and a cheap place to work, and he wrote to his friend Paul Gauguin: 'Perhaps Arles will disappoint you, if you come here in mistral weather; but you wait. It is only in the long run that the poetry of this place penetrates.' Today the town has ethno-craft shops, wine bars and designer bistros which have colonised the narrow lanes of the historic centre, and even humble hotels have had designer makeovers. The town is laid-back and low-key, its bright colours inspiring the designs of Christian Lacroix, who was born here.

Where to stay in Arles

GRAND HOTEL NORD-PINUS

Place du Forum (00 33 4 90 93 44 44; www.nord-pinus.com ). Once the bullfighter's hotel of choice, the Nord-Pinus was closed for years before reopening in 1989 under owner Anne Igou as a relaxed and stylish townhouse hotel. Art is everywhere, from the Peter Beard safari photos in the lobby to a copy of one of Helmut Newton's famous nude portraits of Charlotte Rampling in suite 10. Faded kilims, 1930s armchairs, Turkish lanterns and other artfully casual props meld into a laid-back mix. Go for suite 34, a lovely double deluxe with views over the rooftops of the old town. £

HOTEL LE CALENDAL

5 rue Porte de Laure (00 33 4 90 96 11 89; www.lecalendal.com ). Another good budget option, Le Calendal stands on a corner right next to Les Arènes. It's a bustling place, laid out around a pleasant, leafy garden. Décor is bright, breezy Provençal; the ambience that of a country inn. The restaurant attracts plenty of outside custom. £

HOTEL LE MAS DE PEINT

Near Le Sambuc, 22km south of Arles (00 33 4 90 97 20 62; www.masdepeint.com ). The ultimate farm conversion, Le Mas de Peint is straight out of a coffee-table book. The family of charismatic owner Jacques Bon has lived here for centuries and he'll take you to see the bulls and horses he raises at the drop of a wide-brimmed hat. Bon's wife Lucille, an architect, worked on the design, with its lavender blues, soft ochre yellows and dove greys, and she looks after the eight double rooms and three suites (large family apartments). The in-house chef uses farm-grown or raised ingredients in his elegantly simple creations. £

L'HOTEL DE L'AMPHITHEATRE

5-7 rue Diderot (00 33 4 90 96 10 30; www.hotel-amphitheatre.fr ). In a quiet lane near Les Arènes, this budget hotel has a funky, retro style that makes it feel like the Nord-Pinus's poor but resourceful yunger sister. Walls are daubed in tones of plum and mustard, and plump, stylish Art Deco armchairs spice up the hall. The bedrooms are more modest, but this is still great value. Breakfast consists of freshly baked rolls, homemade jam and a huge selection of coffees and teas. £

L'HOTEL PARTICULIER

Hotel de la Monnaie (00 33 4 90 52 51 40; www.hotel-particulier.com ). L'Hotel Particulier is exactly what the name suggests: an aristocratic townhouse. Built in 1824 by the Mayor of Arles, in 2002 it became the city's most exclusive hotel, its décor a gentle compromise between ethno-design and refined Provençal style. The swimming pool in the garden is a summer godsend, and the hotel's attention to detail comes through in its silver-service breakfast spread. A hamman and massage room are new additions. £

Where to eat out in Arles

HOSTELLERIE DU PONT DE GAU For a hearty Camarguais meal, stop off at this handsome place, on the roadside by the Parc Ornithologique nature reserve. On the pretty, blue veranda (glassed in to reduce traffic noise) one can tuck into such local specialities as petite bouillabaisse (a lighter version of the rich Marselllaise fish soup) and bull steaks.

LA CHASSAGNETTE On the road to Le Sambuc, 12km south of Arles (00 33 4 90 97 26 96). Rivals Le Mas de Peint as the best gourmet experience in the Camargue. Former chef Jean-Luc Rabanel was a pioneer of the home-grown, organic wave of French cuisine. The refurbished restaurant opened last year with a new chef at the helm, 28-year-old Armand Arnal, an Alain Ducasse disciple, who is continuing his predecessor's light and flavoursome 'bio-creative' approach, based on produce from the restaurant's own market garden. Open daily except Wednesdays.

LA GUEULE DU LOUP 39 rue des Arenes (00 33 4 90 96 96 69). An upmarket take on Provençal traditions is the guiding light in this warm, rustic-elegant restaurant housed in a pretty, 17th-century building, its stone walls decorated with Camarguais ornaments. The fixed-price menus are worth a try; dishes may include a delicate asparagus flan served with langoustines, or a baked sea bream, sliced open along its back and served with braised vegetables. Closed all day Sunday and Monday lunch.

LE CILANTRO 31 rue Porte de Laure (00 33 4 90 18 25 05; www.restaurantcilantro.com ). Keeping its distance from the tourist-trap diners that surround it, Le Cilantro is a cool, designer restaurant. But it has substance as well as style. Dishes such as a 'squid variation' (fried squid cromesquis and squid sautéed in candied lemon) sound fussy but taste delicious, like most of Jérôme Laurent's repertoire. Service is excellent, and there is a good selection of wine by the glass. Open daily.

LE JARDIN DE MANON 14 avenue des Alyscamps (00 33 4 90 93 38 68). After a melancholy, late-morning stroll around Les Alyscamps, perk up by diving into this relaxing, modern, country restaurant which has a lovely garden at the back. The three-course fixed price menu (which may include a starter of sweet onion fondant on a bed of celery) is excellent value, as is the regionally weighted wine list. Closed Tues eve, Weds, and Sun eve.

What to see in Arles

LES ALYSCAMPS

This was the place to be buried in the Middle Ages and was given a boost when St Trophime was laid to rest here. Local dignitaries vied to be buried close to the saint, and the result is an evocative, romantic, poplar-lined avenue of tombs, which encapsulates the town's unbroken bond with the past.

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MUSEE D'ARLES ET DE LA PROVENCE ANTIQUES

This museum, devoted to the city's prehistory and classical boom time, has a fascinating range of exhibits, from a model of the hydraulic mill of Barbegal, which in Roman times supplied Arles with four-and-a-half tonnes of flour a day, to some extraordinary pagan and early Christian sarcophagi.

MUSEE DE LA CAMARGUE

The museum is housed in a converted sheep stable on the D570 Saintes-Maries road just outside Arles. A lost or threatened world of Camargue tradition is preserved here. Learn to identify bulls by their ear clippings; marvel at the changes in the shape of the Rhône estuary over the past millennium; find out more than you ever wanted to know about shad fishing.

SAINTES-MARIES-DE-LA-MER

The legend of the Three Marys' arrival in the Camargue may have a touch of the Dan Brown about it, but the aura of fervent devotion in this smoke-blackened sanctuary is real enough. This is the church of the gypsies, who converge on Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer on 24 and 25 May, the feast days of Mary Jacobé, Mary Salomé and their servant, Black Sara.

ST-TROPHINE

The town's cathedral is one of the glories of medieval Provence. Built in the 12th century to house the relics of the bishop-saint, it is famous for its entrance portal, which is a Bible in worked stone, a menagerie of worship. The interior is lofty and austere. Don't miss the silent, archaic cloisters, with their delicately carved Gothic capitals.

How to get to Arles

The nearest airport is Marseilles.

AIRLINES FROM THE UK

British Airways (0870 850 9850; www.ba.com ) flies from Gatwick to Marseilles, less than an hour's drive from Arles.

When to go to Arles

To avoid the hottest weather and the school-holiday crowds, explore Arles and the Camargue in early autumn, when it is still warm and dry. The best month is September.

Tourist information for Arles

Visit www.tourisme.ville-arles.fr

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Wanderlustingk

Five reasons why you should visit Arles, Provence’s surprising gem

May 9, 2019 by Steve Ertrachter 1 Comment

When I asked my late 97-year-old Father-In-Law about his years of military service in Europe during WWII, his most interesting memory was visiting Arles and Southern France.  I had never heard of Arles prior to this point.  After research, I discovered that Arles has been visited by Julius Caesar, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso and other notable figures in its history.   Caesar would have called it Colonial Julia Paterna Arelatensium but today it is called Arles. I am in love with this city as this is my second trip in the past two years. I hope that this blog inspires you to visit Arles!

Disclaimer: We do not condone bullfighting.

tour guide for arles

Arles offers amazing sites, foods, nature, art, and culture.  Arles is located in Provence, which is located in Southwestern France.  Although Nice is more famous, Arles offers countless delights for history lovers as well as nature lovers away from the crowds in Nice. 

  • 1 Roman Historical Sites
  • 2 Discover Van Gogh’s connection to Arles
  • 3 Explore nature in Camargue National Park
  • 4.1 Easter in Arles
  • 4.2 Other festivals in Arles worthy of note
  • 5 Eat Well in Provence
  • 6 Additional notes about Arles
  • 7 Have you visited Arles, France?

Roman Historical Sites

Arles Arena from Roman times

Arles has many Roman ruins throughout the city which offers an amazing opportunity to see world-class archeological sites without the huge crowds that you might encounter in Italy.

The Arles Arena dates back to 90 A.D. and has 20,000 seats.  It is still in use today. On my first visit, I was able to walk on the sand where the Gladiators fought 2,000 years ago. I also attended a bullfight during the Easter Festival. It is hard to describe the feeling of sitting in an arena dating back two millennia. Today, the Arena is in great shape and hopefully will be in existence for another 2,000 years.   It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso painted the Arena in their paintings.  

The Theatre Antique dates back to the 1 st century. This is where Romans watched plays and attended other cultural events. Today, classical performances are held at the Theatre during the summer. Anyone can tour the Theatre, as I did, and still be amazed by the structure of 33 rows and imagine events being held in ancient times. 

The Ancient Obelisk is found in Place de la Republique. It dates back to Roman times and is a landmark in front of the center of town.  Today, local merchants sell art, food, clothes and other items in the square. 

Discover Van Gogh’s connection to Arles

Fields of Sunflowers in Arles France, one of the inspirations for Van Gogh in Arles!

Vincent Van Gogh moved to Arles in 1888. Many paintings had Arles as a subject by Van Gogh.  One theory about Van Gogh cutting his ear off was that he saw the Matador cut off the ear of the bull while attending the Arles Arena. He also stayed in a local hospital for his mental illness.

Some of the sites associated with Vincent Van Gogh in Arles are still today visible including the Arena, The Bridge of Langlois, Saintes-Maries de la Mar, Musee Reattu, Cathedral Saint Trophime, and many others.  Sadly, some sites have disappeared including his residence. 

If you are interested in art, many websites display Arles and the actual locations of Van Gogh’s paintings.  It is fantastic to physically them.  The Tourist Board offers information about a walking tour “In the footsteps of Van Gogh.”

Explore nature in Camargue National Park

Flamingos in Camargue National Park in France outside of Arles

The Camargue is a National Park made up of a marsh preserve located outside of Arles between the Mediterranean Sea and Rhone River.  It is protected with strict regulations where wild bulls, horses, storks, flamingos, and birds thrive.  It is one of France’s major wetlands and offers a unique opportunity to experience true nature a short distance from Arles.  It is best visited in spring and avoided in summer due to the mosquito population.  There are many ways of seeing the Camargue including using a tour guide (my option.)  For more information about bird watching in Camargue National Park, I recommend this independent travel guide to Camargue National Park .

We ended up hiring a tour guide that we met at the tourist office. Our tour was conducted by an experienced guide in an SUV since parts of the road were muddy. Without the guide, we would have missed so much information about the Camargue.  If you prefer traveling in a different manner, horseback riding or biking is also available for seeing the Camargue. 

One surprising stop was the town of Saintes Maries de la Mer that is the largest town in the Camargue.  There is a 1,000-year-old church, a great beach, countless restaurants, and shopping in the town. In May, Roma people have a large festival in the town, which I highly recommend.

Festivals in Arles

Easter in arles.

Flamenco dancers during Easter festivities in Arles, France.

Beyond being a religious holiday, Easter in Arles has a number of traditions, which date back hundreds of years. Throughout the city, you’ll find strolling bands playing music from flamenco to Lady Gaga. Also, there are many flamenco dancers performing throughout Arles.

Although many events happen in Arles during the four-day period surrounding Easter, I was advised to avoid the crowds as the best days are the first and the last.  During the festival, the hotel and food prices in Arles remained unchanged from non-festival periods.  

In the mornings, there is an Encierro where local people test their courage by running with 8 bulls around the square for one hour.  In the evenings, there is a Bandido Finale, where bulls run through the streets.  The bulls are escorted by guardians (French cowboys).  In the morning and afternoon in the Arena, there are bullfights.  These events are best avoided for anyone who is an animal lover. ( We do not condone bullfights. )

Other festivals in Arles worthy of note

There are many festivals held throughout the year including the Course de Satin dating back to 1529 with horse racing. The Rice Festival is held at the end of summer and celebrates the crop and worth visiting Arles for!

Eat Well in Provence

Beautiful cobblestoned street in Arles, France.

Provençal food is famous for its freshness. Being so close to the Mediterranean, Arles has seafood and fish that is delicious and readily available. Local French wine cost a few euros per glass although a better buy has to be getting a bottle or half a carafe to share with dinner!

While in Arles, I tried many of the many famous dishes of Provence. One of my favorite dishes was the ratatouille that is made with eggplant, zucchini, and other local vegetables. Many restaurants also specialize in chicken dishes cooked in. I also tried the fresh Artichokes for lunch that was fantastic. The chefs excel in using local ingredients with flair. Be prepared to wait since the food is cooked after ordering. Be patient.

Many restaurants also serve local French cheese with the meal. One day, I went to the market and the oranges were spectacular. Perhaps, my favorite meal is the Salad Niçoise. One small restaurant that was great was the L’ Amendier with a great plat du jour that included tuna, vegetables and wine per person cost 17 Euros for dinner (2019).

Additional notes about Arles

I stayed at a great 3* hotel called Hotel le Calendal very close to the Arena and theatre that I stayed at.  Although it’s touted as a three star hotel, I believe that it should be rated as a 4* hotel for its value and hospitality.  The managers told me that Rick Steves stays in the hotel when in Arles. 

I did not find it difficult to get around Arles without speaking fluent French. Of course, being able to speak a few words went a long way towards communicating in restaurants, streets, but do not worry if you forget your high school or college French as the locals are friendly!

Have you visited Arles, France?

Why you should visit Arles

About Steve Ertrachter

New Yorker–born and raised. Lover of tennis. Curious. Frugal and independent traveler who believes that travel yields an understanding of different cultures. 10% of the magic behind Wanderlustingk.

Reader Interactions

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May 14, 2019 at 11:54 am

Arles is such a wonderful city indeed! As for the festivals there, I would add “Les Rencontres de la photographie d’Arles”, a huge photography festival that has been held in the city since 1970. It’s really big and some of the best photographers in the world gather there and have their work shown to the public. If you’re into photography, it’s a major event to attend. The opening is in July but I think the exhibitions run until September.

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moose ontario

Here's a guide to the best places to spot a moose in Ontario

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Have you ever seen a moose in Ontario? As a born and raised Torontonian I wear my Canadian identity proudly but one quintessentially Canadian experience has eluded me: witnessing a wild moose in its natural habitat. 

Sure, there may have been a blurry moment during a teenage camping trip at Bon Echo Provincial Park , but amidst a haze of some, at the time, illicit teenage indulgences, I can't count it as an authentic sighting. 

But now, as an adult, the desire to see a moose in all its majestic glory keeps my eyes peeled with eager anticipation whenever I venture beyond the city limits and spot those iconic moose crossing signs.

Fuelled by this desire to level up my "Canadianness," I've done the research and compiled a list of the best places in Ontario to seek out these surprisingly elusive, massive creatures.

These are some places in Ontario where you might actually spot a moose.

Algonquin Park

Since the late 1970s, Algonquin has reigned as the ultimate moose-spotting destination in Ontario, and possibly even North America. The prime viewing window occurs in May and June, especially along Highway 60.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Algonquin Provincial Park (@algonquin_pp)

During these months, moose are drawn to the roadside ditches, which contain slightly salty water from winter sanding operations. This unexpected sodium source is a boon for moose, as they've been deprived of sodium all winter. 

Wabakimi Provincial Park

Located in a remote forest landscape, Wabakimi Provincial Park offers unparalleled opportunities to encounter moose in their natural habitat. This region sustains a thriving moose population, estimated at six per 100 km and totalling 1,700 to 2,300.

Explore the park's wilderness by canoeing along the Kokpa River or through Wabakimi's rugged terrain, where you can witness wildlife up close while traversing rapids, drops, and challenging portages across the Canadian Shield.

Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park

Uncover the captivating mystery of the " White Moose Forest " nestled west of Timmins. Here, amidst the rugged wilderness near Foleyet and Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park, moose defy convention with their ethereal white coats.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Håkan Nunstedt (@haknun)

Referred to as "Spirit Moose" by locals, these rare sightings of these ghostly inhabitants adds a touch of magic to your search for moose and exploration of Ontario's wilderness.

Quetico Provincial Park

Just under two hours from Thunder Bay, Quetico Provincial Park is a wilderness haven in Northern Ontario, with wildlife beyond moose including black bears and white-tailed deer. Visitors to Quetico also might get lucky and  spot the Northern Lights .

Chapleau Crown Game Preserve

As the world's largest game preserve, Chapleau Crown Game Preserve has thriving populations of moose and black bear, as well as the possibility of encountering timberwolf, lynx, beaver, bald eagle, osprey, and various species of owl.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ramakkos Source For Adventure (@ramakkosadventure)

Chapleau Crown Game Preserve is the ideal destination to observe Ontario's majestic moose in their pristine natural surroundings. In this vast wilderness, some animals remain undisturbed by humans, allowing for intimate encounters and exceptional photographic opportunities.

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Beginner's guide to The Players: All you need to know about the PGA Tour event at TPC Sawgrass

When is The Players? How do golfers qualify for The Players? Who is in The Players field? Who will win at TPC Sawgrass? Key questions ahead of the PGA Tour's flagship event - watch live from March 14-17 on Sky Sports Golf

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Monday 11 March 2024 09:41, UK

The stars of the PGA Tour head to TPC Sawgrass this week for The Players, but what is the tournament and why is it such a significant event in the golfing calendar? Here’s all you need to know ahead of the 2024 contest, live on Sky Sports…

What is The Players and why is it important?

The Players is the flagship event on the PGA Tour schedule and has traditionally produced one of the strongest fields in golf, with the calibre of players involved and the interest generated seeing it previously described as men's golf's "fifth major".

The Players has been part of the PGA Tour calendar since its launch in 1974, where Jack Nicklaus became the inaugural winner, with the tournament held at its current venue - The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass - since 1982.

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PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP BEST MOMENTS

TPC Sawgrass is located at PGA Tour's global home at Ponte Vedra Beach, with the tournament taking place in mid-March every year as part of a run of Florida-based events on the calendar.

What is so significant about the 17th?

The 137-yard par-three 17th hole is one of the most recognisable in the sport, with players hitting towards a hole surrounded by water on all sides and with huge crowds watching from either hospitality tents or spectator banks.

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The "Stadium Hole" is TPC Sawgrass' signature hole and is regularly referred to as having an "island green", despite having a narrow peninsula at the back of the putting surface, but the 17th hole certainly poses all kinds of problems depending on the wind and the pin position.

17th Hole TPC Sawgrass

There have been 13 holes-in-one at the 17th in the tournament's history, including three in 2023, with balls in the water and players racking up huge scores both big talking points every year. Expect plenty of drama and memorable moments there throughout the event.

2023 recap: Scheffler's Sawgrass success

PGA Tour: Latest headlines and video

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What does the winner get?

The total prize purse of $25m is more than the funds on offer at any of the four majors, with the winner at TPC Sawgrass collecting a $4.5m first prize and 750 FedExCup points.

THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP DAY FOUR HIGHLIGHTS

A new trophy was unveiled in 2019 and incorporates aspects of each of the first 38 winners of The Players, with a golfer made of metal standing atop of a replica of the signature 17th island green.

Will Tiger Woods feature?

The 15-time major champion qualifies for the event as a major winner in the past five years, with the 2024 contest the last where Woods gets an exemption for his victory in The Masters in 2019, although he has elected against playing.

Woods won the event and 2001 but has only featured in The Players three times since his most recent victory at TPC Sawgrass in 2013, while the 48-year-old has played a limited schedule in recent years since sustaining career-threatening injuries in a car crash in February 2021.

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Woods was expected to be involved at The Players for the first time since 2019 as part of his "tournament a month" plan for the season ahead, which would have been his first appearance since withdrawing mid-round through illness at last month's Genesis Invitational, although fans will now have to wait longer for his PGA Tour return.

Who else gets to play in it?

The world's top 50 are allowed to compete, providing they're eligible to play on the PGA Tour, with Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and FedExCup champion Viktor Hovland among the headline names involved.

The top 125 in the FedExCup standings at the end of the FedExCup Fall are exempt, along with major champions from the past five years, plus winners in the last three years of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Genesis Invitational, The Memorial and any World Golf Championship events.

tour guide for arles

Winners of PGA Tour events over the past year and the top 10 in the FedExCup standings at the conclusion of the Cognizant Classic also get to feature, as do last year's Kaulig Companies Championship winner and the player who topped the Korn Ferry Tour standings.

Does that include LIV players?

LIV Golf players are banned from featuring in PGA Tour events, with those guidelines also applying to The Players.

2022 champion Cameron Smith is ineligible since joining LIV Golf at the end of that PGA Tour season, with Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Martin Kaymer the other former winners ineligible since joining the Saudi-backed circuit.

Cameron Smith highlights

Jon Rahm would likely have been among the tournament favourites had he not joined LIV Golf, while five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau and last year's runner-up Tyrrell Hatton are also missing from the field.

Who has impressed at The Players before?

Scheffler returns as defending champion after last year's five-shot victory over Hatton, where Hovland finished tied-third and last month's Genesis Invitational winner Hideki Matsuyama took fifth spot.

This year's event marks the fifth anniversary of McIlroy's Players Championship win and Justin Thomas is among the recent roll of honour, while Woods is the last two-time winner of The Players.

Rory McIlroy

There has never been an English winner of The Players, with Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose among those looking to change that this week.

When is it live on Sky?

Sky Sports Golf will once again be the home of The Players in 2024, with nearly 60 hours of live coverage from Tuesday-Sunday of tournament week and a host of extra content available for you to enjoy.

The Players Championship Live

A special 'Live from The Players' show will offer live build-up on both Tuesday and Wednesday before live coverage begins from 11.30am over the first two days and 2pm over the weekend, following action from before the opening tee shot until after the close of play.

Bonus coverage will be available via the red button for all four tournament rounds, with featured groups and bonus marquee groups there to enjoy every day alongside a special featured holes feed.

Watch The Players live from March 14-17 live on Sky Sports. Stream the majors, PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and more on NOW .

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  • Sphere and concert tour schedule

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Will there be international tour dates?

How to get phish sphere tickets and full us tour: prices and concert dates.

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You enjoy yourself , because Phish is heading out on tour this year. The rock band is slated to perform at the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas next month for four nights only ahead of their recently announced summer concert tour. We have everything you need to know about buying Phish Sphere tickets and getting access to their 2024 concert tour this summer.

  • See also: Adele tickets |  Aerosmith tickets  |  Metallica tickets | Bruce Springsteen tickets | Steve Nicks tickets | Madonna tickets  |  Usher tickets |  Rolling Stones tickets

The multi-city endeavor is just the longtime jam band's latest touring venture. Phish started in the '80s, came to prominence in the '90s, and disbanded multiple times in the early 2000s. Only after their 2008-2009 reunion did they begin touring again regularly, to the joy of their devout multi-generational fans. Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon, and Jon Fishman have been with the band since its inception in 1983, with Page McConnell joining shortly after.

With Phish's Sphere dates quickly approaching and the summer tour around the corner, Phish tickets are getting snapped up left and right. We've got you covered if you want to buy some before they all go. Below, find all of the details on Phish's sphere and concert tour schedule, purchasing details, and original and resale ticket prices. Plus, you can check out specifics on StubHub and Vivid Seats whenever you want.

Phish Sphere and 2024 concert tour schedule

Phish will play the Sphere April 18-21. The band's full concert tour will kick off July 19 and run until September 1. All concert times are listed in local time zones.

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How to buy tickets for Phish Sphere and concert tour

Original standard Phish Sphere tickets are completely sold out through the band's website. They're also sold out through Ticketmaster (with the exception of a few pricey spots on April 21). However, tickets to the Sphere performances (including a 4-day pass) are still available through resale vendors like StubHub and Vivid Seats . 

Tickets to the summer tour were announced at the end of February, which prompted a ticket request period that is still open on Phish's website . The ticket request period closes on March 11, and tickets go on sale to the general public starting March 15. Some resale tickets are available on StubHub and Vivid Seats now, and more will most likely be available on those sites after the general public sale starts. 

How much are Phish tickets?

Tickets to see Phish at the Sphere are relatively expensive compared to other Phish concert prices, but you'll find cheaper tickets on the band's last day at the Sphere compared to their first three performances. On StubHub , the cheapest tickets to Phish's Sphere dates start at $296 (April 21). Vivid Seats offers similar prices, with tickets starting at $283 for the same date.

The cheapest possible standard original tickets for the summer tour that are sold through Phish's website right now are the GA Lawn tickets in Mansfield, MA (July 19-21) and Bethel, NY (August 9-11), which cost $62.30 each after fees. But by signing up through the ticket request forum, you are requesting the best possible seats, which could cost up to $119.45 in Massachusetts and $109.15 in New York.

Prices on resale websites are relatively comparable for the summer tour. On StubHub, the least expensive ticket prices start at $69 in Noblesville, IN, on August 2 and 3. Vivid Seats offers similar rates, with tickets going for $67 on the same dates. Some of the multi-day ticket packages offered on resale sites are a bit steep at the moment, but there should be more variety in prices once the general sale opens up later this month.

As of right now, Phish hasn't announced any international tour dates. Since reuniting, the band rarely performs outside the United States after their nationwide tours. But they have performed limited international engagements in the past, including in Mexico, so there's always a possibility of announcing additional dates outside of the U.S.

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Last-minute guide: where to celebrate the solar eclipse in texas.

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A musician viewing the last solar eclipse during the Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker ... [+] Park on October 14, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Erika Goldring/FilmMagic)

For a newly minted Texan such as myself, viewing the solar eclipse in San Antonio last October was spectacular. We took a short drive to the award-winning Confluence Park, a bucolic ecosystem that features a rainwater catchment along the San Antonio River, a green roof for passive heating/cooling and a constellation of walking paths that connect to the San Antonio Missions UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Lone Star State is once again the best place to view the next solar eclipse, rapidly approaching, on April 8th. Not surprising, Airbnb data shows a 1,000 percent increase in searches for stays along the solar eclipse “path of totality” in the US, with Texas one of the most heavily booked states. Prime viewing spots include Austin, parts of San Antonio, Dallas and the Texas Hill Country.

The eclipse begins around 1:30 pm CT, give or take, and continues for anywhere from four to 15 minutes, depending on where you are. Within the 120-mile-wide band in Texas, eclipse-watchers (it is necessary to wear CE & ISO Certified Safe glasses) will see the moon move in front of the sun, temperatures will drop and the sky will go dark. The April 8th eclipse will be a total eclipse of the sun, which means that the shadow of the moon will completely obscure the sun. Last year’s eclipse left a stunning “ring of fire” fringe visible around the edges of the moon.

Here in Texas, it just wouldn’t be right to celebrate such a special event without a great party, and there is still time to book.

Celebrate the Eclipse in Austin & the Texas Hill Country

A room with a view: Vista Room at Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, TX

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Austin is located along the eastern edge of the eclipse path, and the totality will be viewable all over the city, except for a few spots in the southeast.

The Commodore Perry Estate is hosting a “Solar Eclipse Weekend,” featuring cocktails, University of Texas astronomy professors and guest speakers on Saturday, with a “Star Party” and s’mores on the lawn. On Monday, the day of the eclipse, hotel guests will be transported to Marisol Springs Ranch, a 300-acre ranch in the Hill Country, where there will be hiking, astronomy talks, activities for kids and an outdoor “Moroccan-style desert camp lunch,” with live music.

The Kerrville Eclipse Festival, in Louise Hays Park in Kerrville, is in the center line of totality, and will offer live music, kid’s programs and speakers from NASA. Camp Lucy, a mellow getaway in Dripping Springs, will host an event at Ian’s Chapel, the event venue on property. Tickets ($200 per person) include a talk by NASA Senior Research Astrophysicist Michael McElwain, live acoustic music, hearty food and drinks (a beer and wine bar with a specialty cocktail, as well as non-alcoholic options), complimentary parking and solar eclipse glasses.

The Tasting Room at the William Chris Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country.

The Hill Country is the heart of Texas wine country, and a vineyard certainly sounds like a perfect place to celebrate. The William Chris Vineyards, in Hye, TX, is hosting an all-day viewing party with astronomers, wine-barrel tastings, a country music concert and more. The $400 ticket price also includes a picnic blanket, solar eclipse glasses, a goodie bag with two bottles of wine along with breakfast and lunch prepared by Austin Chef Michael Fojatasek of Olamaie. Uplift Vineyard in Burnet, TX, is hosting an all-day food and drink event that includes brunch and dinner cooked over a live fire by James Beard Award Winner, Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due, a master blending session with Multi-100-point Winemaker, Jean Hoefliger and Uplift Winemaker, Claire Richardson. The $925 ticket also includes two bottles of limited production wine, eclipse talks with an astronomer, and more.

Celebrate the Eclipse in San Antonio

View from The Moon's Daughter Rooftop Bar at the Thompson San Antonio Hotel-Riverwalk

San Antonio is a city with flair, and it has coined its own moniker for the solar eclipse festivities: Fiesta del Sol ! The city is on the eastern edge of the totality, which means that half is in and half is out. If you want to make sure to see the eclipse, head up to northwestern San Antonio for the longest viewing time. La Cantera Resort & Spa is right there and the resort is partnering with the University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Physics and Astronomy, which will bring telescopes for hotel guests. Special spa services, eclipse-themed culinary offerings and a kids program will be available.

Great viewing is also available closer to downtown. The Thompson San Antonio-Riverwalk is hosting a “Celestial Brunch” at The Moon’s Daughters, the rooftop restaurant and bar, with a brunch buffet, welcome drinks, themed cocktails, entertainment and special solar eclipse glasses. Around town, there will also be an Eclipse Watch Party at the Alamo and on the rooftop of the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts .

Celebrate the Eclipse in Dallas

Rooftop pool with panoramic views, flanked by Pomelo bar and Leonie restaurant at Hôtel Swexan

Dallas is situated halfway between the center and western edge of the eclipse. The city is hosting viewing parties and events throughout the downtown area. The Perot Museum is partnering with the Carnegie Institute of Science, along with 20 astronomers for the occasion. Downtown Dallas Inc is hosting a lunchtime eclipse watch event, with live music, food trucks, kid-friendly activities, an interactive art installation and complimentary eclipse glasses (in limited quantity), with a weekend-long celebration.

The gorgeous new Hôtel Swexan –with a delightfully elegant upbeat decor that reflects its Swiss/Texas ownership–is hosting a weekend-long series of events tied to the totality. Showcasing its breathtaking 20th-floor rooftop to its best advantage—with infinity pool, outdoor bar and Leonie restaurant, a lovely glassed-in aerie–the hotel will offer panoramic views of the solar eclipse (and the city) through a telescope. Stillwell’s, the signature steakhouse, will serve eclipse-inspired cocktails and mocktails; there will be screenings of celestial films; complimentary glasses for eclipse viewing; and a New Moon meditation, sound bath and reiki healing with Jacquelyn Maitland from Breathe Meditation and Wellness on the evening of April 8th.

Rona Berg

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Best rewards credit cards where you can use points toward things like travel, cash back

Chase, capital one, more banks that offer some of the best rewards credit cards.

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The Ramsey Solutions personality talks about younger generations living with their parents, the "buy now pay later" risks and how to best diversify stock allocation.

If you are going to be spending money anyway, you might as well earn some points when you swipe. 

There are several different types of rewards credit cards you can apply for. When thinking about the best one for you, look into your spending habits and pinpoint where the majority of your money is going. Then try to find a credit card that offers high rewards matching your spending.

You'll also want to think about what is most important to you. Is it a necessity that the credit card you possess has no annual fee? Maybe you don't care about the annual fee as long as the benefits outweigh that cost.

Multiple credit cards lying on table

There are so many options for credit cards out there, making it difficult to narrow down which one is best for you. Rewards cards are a great way to earn points for the money that you spend. (Matt Cardy / Getty Images)

THE 4 BEST CREDIT CARDS WITH NO ANNUAL FEE

Many rewards credit cards operate on a points system. As a baseline, each dollar you spend will earn you at least one point. Then, depending on the card you have, you can exchange your points for things like cash back and travel experiences . In general, with rewards cards, you'll get the most bang for your buck if you use your points towards travel. 

Below are five popular rewards credit cards you can apply for today. 

  • Chase Freedom Unlimited
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • Capital One Venture
  • American Express Gold
  • Bilt Mastercard

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card is great for beginners to earn rewards. The rewards with this card are very simple, and it's easy to trade in your points for a variety of rewards. 

The first plus to this card is that there is no annual fee, but it still offers a generous welcome bonus of $200 if you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of opening the account.

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This credit card also offers 0% APR for the first 15 months of opening the card. Once those 15 months pass, there is a 20.49%-29.24% APR on this card. 

With this card, you'll earn 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% back on drugstore purchases, 3% on dining and 1.5% back on all other purchases. 

woman holding credit card and phone

The Chase Freedom card is a great cash-back card for beginners with no annual fee and an easy-to-follow format. (iStock / iStock)

The points you gather do not expire and there are no minimum points you need to obtain before cashing them in.

If you don't want cash back, no problem. You have plenty of other options at your disposal. You can book travel arrangements with your points, redeem gift cards at your favorite stores and restaurants or even pay for your Amazon purchase with your points .

2. Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a big step up from the Freedom card. This card is ideal for the luxury traveler. 

This card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, but it may be worth it if you travel often and can fully take advantage of all the benefits it offers. 

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With this card, you can earn up to a $300 travel credit each year that can be used toward travel-related purchases. 

A huge perk of this card is the access it grants to luxurious airport lounges . If you are a frequent flyer, having access to these lounges can really elevate your travel experience. 

This card also comes loaded with travel insurance and will reimburse you for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry/NEXUS up to $100 every four years. 

With this card, you'll earn 3x points on dining and travel purchases, 10x points on hotels and car rentals and 5x points on flights. All of these rates will kick in once $300 is spent on travel each year. 

3 TYPES OF CREDIT CARD REWARDS: HOW THEY WORK AND HOW TO USE THEM

The best way to use the points you earn on this card is on travel-related purchases. 

3. Capital One Venture

The Capital One Venture card comes with a $95 annual fee. The current welcome bonus for this card is 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening the account. 

Even though you'll earn miles with this credit card, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to use your miles for travel. 

people in airport

Capital One offers various credit cards to cater to frequent travelers. (iStock / iStock)

Capital One miles work the same way as points do for other credit cards. Miles can be exchanged for travel when booked through Capital One Travel, but they don't have to be. 

Miles can also be used for exclusive event tickets through Capital One Entertainment or redeemed for cash or gift cards. You can gift your miles to another that has a Venture card. 

THE BEST 4 CREDIT CARDS TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS

With this card, you'll earn two miles per dollar on every purchase you make and five miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You'll also earn up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. 

In terms of Capital One's rewards cards, this one falls somewhat in the middle. If you want a card with no annual fee, you could go with VentureOne Rewards. 

If you want even more benefits wrapped up in your card, you can apply for the Venture X card. This card has a $395 annual fee. You'll receive a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit and access for you and two guests to over 1,300 airport lounges. 

4. American Express Gold

If you love dining out , the American Express Gold card is one to consider. 

This card has a $250 annual fee. You'll earn 4x times points at restaurants, 4x points on grocery store purchases, 3x points for flights booked through Amex Travel and 1x points on all other eligible purchases. 

With this card, you'll also earn up to $120 in Uber Cash annually. 

5. Bilt Mastercard 

The Bilt Mastercard was launched in 2021 and is ideal for renters. 

This credit card is extremely unique in the sense that you can pay rent and earn points with the card, with no transaction fees.

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With this card, you'll earn 3x on dining, 2x on travel and 1x on other purchases, including rent payments. For purchases made on the first of each month, you'll earn 6x on dining, 4x on travel and 2x on other purchases, excluding rent. 

hands typing on computer

With Bilt Mastercard, you can easily pay rent with your card and earn points. (iStock / iStock)

Your points can be used in a multitude of ways. You can redeem them for travel through the Bilt Travel Portal or even for workout classes. 

You can also use your points toward a rent payment, shopping on Amazon or even toward a down payment on a home. 

tour guide for arles

IMAGES

  1. Guide To Arles, an Unexpected Beauty in Provence

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  2. N°1 Arles Tour Guide

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  3. N°1 Arles Walking Tour (2h)

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  4. Self Guided Walking Tour of Arles in the Steps of Van Gogh

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  5. Self Guided Walking Tour of Arles Downloadable PDF

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  6. The Ultimate Self Guided Walking Tour of Arles, in the Footsteps of Van

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COMMENTS

  1. THE 10 BEST Arles Sightseeing Tours (Updated 2024)

    10. Marseille Shore Excursion: Private Day Trip to Arles, Les Baux de Provence and Saint Remy de Provence. 1. Historical Tours. 6+ hours. In this full day tour, you will see the highlights of Arles the UNESCO World Heritage site due to its Roman monuments, including…. Free cancellation.

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    The trip was very good. Our guide, Anne, was very knowledgeable. The walking tour of Arles covered both the Roman history and Van Gogh sites. We saw bulls, white horses and flamingoes in the Camargue and had time in Saintes Marie de la Mer.

  3. THE TOP 10 Arles Tours & Excursions (UPDATED 2024)

    1. Maximize your day in Provence: explore the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites in Arles and follow in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh. This tour takes you to discover Arles and Saint Rémy de Provence. Tour in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide. Your guide is an art and history specialist.

  4. Arles Travel Guide

    Arles, Bouches du Rhone, France. Yann Guichaoua-Photos/Getty Images. Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located along the Rhone river, where the Petite Rhone breaks off to the west on its way to the sea. Arles dates back to the 7th century BC when it was the Phoenician town of Theline, and its Gallo-Roman heritage is seen in the ruins ...

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    The best outdoor activities to do in Arles are: From Arles: Half-Day 4x4 Camargue Safari. Lavender Field & Distillery Tour between Nimes & Arles. From Arles: Alpilles Regional Park Provence 4x4 Safari. From Avignon: Half-Day Camargue and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.

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    Arles Tours & Trips 2024/2025. Find the right tour for you through Arles. We've got 502 adventures going to Arles, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 45 days. The most popular month to go is June, which has the largest number of tour departures.

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    Arles. France, Europe. Roman treasures, shady squares and plenty of Camarguais culture make Arles a seductive stepping stone into the Camargue. And if its colourful sun-baked houses evoke a sense of déjà vu, it's because you've seen them already on a Van Gogh canvas - the artist painted 200-odd works around town, though sadly his famous ...

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    about ratings. Tour in Arles, France: "Elizabeth was an absolute delight. Not only did we learn about the history of Arles but she also showed us current even,..." Carolyn Balcombe - Oct, 2021 Tour in Arles, France: "We had a wonderful half day tour of Arles with Elisabeth. She was very knowledgeable and we had a lovely day.

  9. Arles Walking Tour • N°1 • Best Guided Tour In Arles

    Meet your professional tour guide anywhere in Arles. Explore Arles, the city of Julius Caesar and Vincent Van Gogh, on a private walking tour. Our Arles Walking Tour includes: Van Gogh's Garden, Van Gogh's Hostipal & Van Gogh's Café. You will also see many paintings of Van Gogh during the tour. Walk along the Rhône river and see where ...

  10. Private Guided Tour of Arles

    Arles is the city of Provence with the richest heritage, its monuments listed as World Heritage by UNESCO and the legacy of Vincent Van Gogh. Travel through this city with your professional guide for an experience full of emotions to discover our past. from. $219.92. per adult (price varies by group size)

  11. Arles Guided Tour • Official Tour Guide • Visit France

    Start your walking tour in front of the tourist office or the city hall for a complete discovery of Arles.

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    Explore our promoted experiences. Arles, Languedoc-Roussillon. Arles: 2-Hour Private Walking Tour. 6. from $198.31. Price varies by group size. Arles, Languedoc-Roussillon. Private fullday Provence Lavender Fields. from $1,002.79.

  13. Arles Walking Tour

    Arles Walking Tour Route. This walking tour starts from the Place de la Republique in the centre of Arles. The Tourist Office * (open 9am-12:45pm & 2-4:45pm) is 1 minute south of here, just across the main road if you want more information or to pick up some maps or leaflets. 1.

  14. 19 Essential Things to Do in Arles

    Top rated tours & experiences in Arles: ☆ Arles 2-Hour Private Walking Tour. ☆ From Arles: Half-Day 4×4 Camargue Safari. ☆ From Avignon: In the Footsteps of Van Gogh in Provence. ☆ From Avignon: Half-Day Van Gogh & Carrières de Lumières Tour. Cultured Voyage's accommodation picks in Arles:

  15. Arles Travel Guide Resources & Trip Planning Info by Rick Steves

    Arles. Workaday Arles is a city in search of an economy, and compared to nearby Avignon, it feels unpolished and a touch gritty. That aspect remains part of its charm, but it's impressive to see how this city is transforming itself while still displaying a genuine joie de vivre. Though largely destroyed by WWII bombs, today Arles thrives again ...

  16. Tour guide in Arles, Provence

    A tour guide in Arles to discover the best of Provence. Visit roman monuments, follow the footseps of Vicent Van Gogh, an much more!

  17. Arles Tour Guide N°1 • Best Guided Tours In Arles

    Our guides are available everywhere in Southern France. Get your guide contact as soon as you book. Enjoy the best experience in Arles thanks to our team of professional tour guides. Here you can book your private tour guide immediately. Your tour guide will meet you everywhere you desire in Arles. Select your tour timing, the day of the tour ...

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    Conventional or unusual, visit Arles the way you want ! Malheureusement, aucun résultat n'a été trouvé. Guided tours, guided tours and guided tours in Arles, city of art and history.

  19. The Ultimate Self Guided Walking Tour of Arles, in the Footsteps of Van

    History Roman Arles. Arles, a large city in the French region of Provence, has a long history that dates back to Roman times.Back then, it was one of the most important cities in the Empire. There are signs of occupations as early as 800 BC. The Romans took over the town in 123 BC and continued to enrich the city with their incredible architecture and infrastructure.

  20. Arles Tour Guide

    Here you can book your private tour guide for the time you wish. Our professional tour guides in Arles can adapt to all your programs. Your tour guide will meet you everywhere you desire in Arles. Select the number of hours you need, the day of the tour, the departure time and indicate the address where you want to meet with the guide.

  21. The Ultimate city guide to Arles, France

    Arles is a magical city of Provence. Arles alone is worth a trip, as evidenced by its UNESCO world cultural heritage. Arles rests on a low hill, where the Rhone river branches in two parts towards the sea. The municipality is the largest in France, with over 750 square kilometers. The city has an ancient history dating back to the 7th century ...

  22. Free travel guide to Arles, France

    Travel Guide To Arles. Arles has a proud imperial heritage, but rustic Provençal traditions have also left their mark. The amphitheatre and Roman walls of Arles speak of the Provençal city's Roman past, but the warm influence of rural tradition is apparent everywhere you look. Van Gogh came to Arles in February 1888 in search of some southern ...

  23. Five reasons why you should visit Arles, Provence's surprising gem

    1 Roman Historical Sites. 2 Discover Van Gogh's connection to Arles. 3 Explore nature in Camargue National Park. 4 Festivals in Arles. 4.1 Easter in Arles. 4.2 Other festivals in Arles worthy of note. 5 Eat Well in Provence. 6 Additional notes about Arles.

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    I've been a tour guide in Rome for 16 years. Here are 9 of the biggest mistakes tourists make. Sarah May Grunwald. 2024-03-09T13:56:01Z An curved arrow pointing right. Share. The ...

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  28. Last-Minute Guide: Where To Celebrate The Solar Eclipse In Texas

    The eclipse begins around 1:30 pm CT, give or take, and continues for anywhere from four to 15 minutes, depending on where you are. Within the 120-mile-wide band in Texas, eclipse-watchers (it is ...

  29. A guide to the best rewards points credit cards of 2024

    With this card, you'll earn 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% back on drugstore purchases, 3% on dining and 1.5% back on all other purchases.