Arles: Ancient City, Camargue Routes and Holiday Apartments

Arles is a remarkable example of how an ancient city adapted to the civilisation of medieval Europe. The ancient theatre of Arles was built at the end of the 1st century BC and is one of the city’s landmarks; parts of its seating tiers and orchestra are still preserved.

Culture and History

The Roman amphitheatre of Arles was built in 90 AD and could accommodate up to 21,000 spectators. During the school holidays, it hosts guided tours, gladiator fights and Roman-themed activities. From Easter to the end of September, it also hosts cultural, sporting and bull-related events.

The Alyscamps are a Christian necropolis with a promenade lined with remarkable sarcophagi and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Chemin d’Arles to Santiago de Compostela begins at the Church of Saint-Honorat in the Alyscamps.

Museums

The Musée départemental Arles antique presents archaeological evidence from prehistory to late antiquity. Among almost 500 objects relating to trade and shipping, the museum also displays the 31-metre-long riverboat Arles Rhône 3.

Routes and Landscapes

The Parc naturel régional de Camargue offers 14 discovery routes on foot, by bicycle or by car. The corresponding route guide is available from the tourist offices in Arles and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. The different means of transport give you several ways to explore the Camargue.

These discovery routes include the “D’Arles à l’étang du Vaccarès” route. The ViaRhôna from Pont Van-Gogh via the Marais du Vigueirat from Arles to the Mediterranean is also among the routes of the Parc naturel régional de Camargue. In addition to the choice between travelling on foot, by bicycle or by car, this provides a range of differently named routes.

Arles has a signposted Van Gogh route that can be walked all year round. Along it, panels mark the places where Vincent Van Gogh painted and show the corresponding painting in each case.

The Musée de la Camargue has a landscaped 5-kilometre path along the canal and rice fields to the marshland and the Gardian’s hut. With its permanent exhibition “Le fil de l’eau, le fil du temps”, the museum provides an insight into the Camargue of yesterday and today. The routes mentioned have different focuses: the five-kilometre museum path connects the canal, rice fields, marshland and Gardian’s hut; the Van Gogh route remains focused on Arles, while the Camargue routes bring together several means of transport and named routes.

A holiday apartment in Arles can be assessed on the relevant offer pages based on travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions. This information is provided alongside the various cultural sites, museums and routes and offers an objective framework for making your own choice.

Additional destination pages in the portal: Bouc-Bel-Air, Carro, Aubagne, Maillane, Belcodène, Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde, Rousset, Ensuès-La-Redonne.

To the overarching travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.