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City in Provence, France
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Arles is a town in the Provence in the southeast of France. Remote, uneventful, but definitely no waste of time, Arles is absolutely steeped in Provençal culture, and features a collection of Roman archaeological sites. Arles is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Most of the important sites of Arles can be visited on a combined ticket, which includes the ampthitheatre, the antique theatre, the cryptoporticos, the cloister, and many more.
Roman ampthitheatre
It was built in the first or second century BC. It houses Corridas at Easter and the Rice Festa in September. Throughout the summer there are various courses camarguaises (bloodless bullfighting).
Classical theatre
It was built at the end of the 1st century BC.
Cryptoporticos
Now completely underground, the cryptoporticos, a semi-subterranean gallery, was a sort of a base for the Roman Forum in Arles. It was built at the end of 1st century BC. The current structure has a horseshoe form. The entrance is inside the Hôtel de Ville d'Arles.
The remains of the Roman baths.
Church of Saint Trophime
A church in Romanesque style built in 12th century. Besides the church there is a quite remarkable cloister.
A former monastery with a beautiful courtyard.
Médiathèque & Bibliothèque Municipale
A former hospital with a courtyard where Van Gogh was kept under medical treatment.
An ancient burial site and early Christian cemetery. Its allée of trees was painted by Van Gogh. Eglise Saint Honorat is at the SE end of the allée.
Pont Van Gogh
It was the subject of several paintings by Vincent van Gogh.
Musée de l'Arles antique
An archaeological museum of Arles. At the NE side of the museum there are some very scarce remains of the Roman circus.
Fine Arts museum
A surprisingly large museum in the home of 19th-century artist Joseph Réattu, featuring his paintings, sketches and a painting by Pablo Picasso, photography, and some modern art.
A modern ethnographic museum of Provence that incorporates an elegant Jesuit chapel.
An artistic and cultural complex, especially interesting due to the building architecture, designed by Frank Gehry.
A national monument and former Benedictine monastery founded in 948.
Four picturesque windmills of which two are excellently preserved.
One of Europe's largest river deltas and wetlands, a great place to spot flamingos and French cowboys.
A 1,200 ha nature reserve and one of the most popular sites inside the Camargue. With over 2,000 types of flora and fauna, including flamingos, herons, toros, horses, and much more.
Youth Hostel
The residence is made up of several small buildings, no higher than one floor, spread around the Maeva Camargue estate: Les Roselières, Les Oliviers, Les Amandiers, Les Piboules, etc. A large number of leisure activities (riding, tennis, golf, etc.) and relaxation facilities (balneotherapy centre) are available.
By bus
There are several bus lines from towns all over the Bouches-du-Rhône, mostly operated by Zou! Tickets can be purchased from the driver or online.
By car
Take the Autoroute from Salon or yet another from Marseille, but give preference to the smaller routes and Alpilles towns like Fontvieille, Paradou, les baux, etc.
By bicycle
Rent bicycles or a motor wheel for day trips in the alpilles around Arles.
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Nîmes/Garons · Regional · FNI
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