Visit Arles

2000 years of history

Tour
3,7 km
1h30
19 audios

18 lieux d'intérêt à découvrir pour visiter Arles in one day

Text version

Welcome to the Camargue! Arles awaits, bathed in the warm glow of the southern sun! Stroll along its paved honey-hued streets, and let your worries drift away as the cicadas serenade you. Arles prides itself on its Roman and Romanesque heritage, but also on its status as the starting point in one of the four medieval pilgrim routes, the Way of Arles. You may not know this, but in 49 BC, Arles sided with Julius Caesar against Marseille. In return, the emperor made Arelate, aka modern Arles, the provincial capital of Rome. Now, that was a big deal! The city boomed economically and saw the construction of a host of Roman infrastructures! It even enjoyed a second golden age in the 4th century, and it’s thanks to these prosperous times that, today, you get to witness some of the finest Roman ruins still in existence! But Arles didn’t just inspire our distant ancestors! Vincent Van Gogh’s art really took off when he moved to the sun-drenched south of France. Let’s follow in the footsteps of Vincent, Julius and countless others, and see what Arles inspires in you.

Marie

Publié le 12/03/2025

1. Summer Garden

You've reached the Summer Garden of Arles, which stands between the Boulevard des Lices and the Roman Theater. Read more
2. Roman Theater

Just a stone's throw from the amphitheater lies the Roman theater! Not nearly as well preserved as its neighbor. ,Well okay, it's a century older, but then again, at their age, who's counting the decades? It was built at the end of the first century BC, making it one of the earliest Roman stone theaters. Read more
3. Saint-Césaire Convent

The arch before you is one of the few remnants of what was once an important abbey. Read more

05 rejoindre les alyscamps arles poi petit

4. Explore the Alyscamps

From here, we'll take Rue Vauban and continue along the Avenue des Alyscamps, all the way to our next point of interest. Read more

07 notre dame de la major arles poi petit

5. Church of Notre-Dame de la Major

See the small church perched atop the hill? It's Notre-Dame de la Major. Read more

08 vue sur les toits depuis la place major arles poi petit

6. View over the rooftops from Place Major

From the Place Major, right next to the church, you have a lovely panoramic view of the city's rooftops and its surroundings. Read more

10 place du forum et cafe nuit arles poi petit

7. Forum Square

Vous voilà arrivés sur la place du Forum. Van Gogh l’a immortalisée dans le souvenir populaire en peignant sur toile le café Nuit. Read more

8. Arles Arenas

Next up are Arles' magnificent arenas, the city's most visited monument. Read more

9. Van Gogh Foundation

The Van Gogh Foundation is a must-see on your route. Read more

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10. Dominican Church

Right at the end of this dead-end street, you'll find the disused Church of the Friars Preachers. It's a 15th-century Gothic church. Read more

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11. Baths of Constantine and Réattu Museum

These are the ruins of the Baths of Constantine, some of the best-preserved Roman baths in Europe! Read more

12. Arles bust

You're now walking along the banks of the Rhône. Believe it or not, this very spot not only inspired van Gogh's "Starry Night over the Rhône," but also yielded a major archaeological discovery in 2008. They found a bust of Julius Caesar face down, 6 meters underwater! Read more

13. Roquette district

You're now at the heart of the historic Roquette district. Narrow, winding streets lined with charming houses, sun-kissed stone façades adorned with climbing plants and brightly painted shutters adding a splash of color – a picturesque backdrop that will capture the hearts of romantics and photographers alike. Read more

14. The Porcelet family

This utterly charming little square is the perfect place to unwind. Grab a coffee in one of the terraces and watch life unfold. Read more

15. Arlaten Museum

We're now passing by the beautifully restored façade of the Arlaten Museum. It was founded in 1896 by the famous Provençal writer and poet Paul Mistral, who was deeply committed to preserving the cultural heritage of his region. Read more

16. Espace Van-Gogh

Welcome to Espace Van Gogh! Step inside and you'll be greeted by lush greenery, beautiful flowers, and colorful arcades. Read more

01 place de la republique arles poi petit

17. Place de la République (Republic Square)

Welcome to the Place de la République, a must-see during your visit to Arles. This little Italianate-style square crams together diverse cultural and architectural influences. Read more

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18. Saint-Trophime Cathedral

Introducing the Cathedral of Saint-Trophime. The Christian community of Arles was one of the oldest in Gaul. Read more

Découvrez Arles avec l’application navaway^®

An interactive guide through the most beautiful streets, squares, and districts

18 fun audioguides full of historical facts, anecdotes, and legends

Download the app

Top Things to Do

Explore the wilderness of the Camargue Regional Natural Park aboard a 4×4 and discover its diverse landscapes, rich in biodiversity, with iconic species such as flamingos and Camargue horses.

Good to know !

Recommended Starting Point

No need to worry about where to begin! Our tours are designed as a loop, so you can jump in wherever you are. The navigation system and audio-guide will automatically adjust to your location. However, if you happen to be nearby, we do have a preferred starting point: Place de la République.

Recommended parking downtown

Parking du Centre : 8 Rue Emile Fassin

Parking des Minimes P9: route de Crau

ENVIA, Arles’ public transportation network, is committed to greener commutes with their new fully electric shuttle service. The line serves peripheral parking lots like the parking des Minimes, and drops you off right in the city center. No need to worry about finding parking downtown or navigating city traffic.

Visit Info

We’ll walk around the Roman Theater and observe it from the outside. If you pay the entrance fee to visit it, you can exit directly onto Rue de la Calade. No need to double back.

Got Some Extra Time?

Advantage city pass

If you’re planning to visit several sites, consider choosing the advantage city pass. It’s valid for 6 months and grants you access to 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 3 museums. You can thus visit the amphitheater, the ancient theater, the Saint Trophime Cloister, the Cryptoporticus, the Alyscamps and the Baths of Constantin. Basically, all the must-sees! As for museums, you can visit the Arles Archaeological Museum (Musée Départemental Arles Antique), the Réattu museum and the Camargue museum.

Museums

There’s no denying Arles’ incredible Roman and artistic heritage. To learn more, be sure to visit the Arles Archaeological Museum (Musée Départemental Arles Antique) and the Van Gogh Foundation.

Parc des Ateliers

Need a break from ancient history? Discover Arles’ contemporary side with a visit to the Parc des ateliers and the striking LUMA Tower. It’s the work of a well-known Canadian architect, Frank Gehry, who’s also behind some of the world’s most remarkable buildings, including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Dancing House in Prague and the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris. So here you’ll find the Luma Tower, built as an interdisciplinary campus and a hub for artistic experimentation. Admission is free, and the garden is open daily from 7 AM to 8:30 PM.

Montmajour Abbey

Montmajour Abbey is also a must-see, a bit further afield. Founded in 948, just 4km from Arles, it was one of the wealthiest abbeys in Provence in the 10th century. It was sold as national property during the French Revolution, and its stones were used to build houses in Arles. In 1840, however, its remains were classified as a historical monument, and the site underwent major restoration work. Today, it’s a true Benedictine gem, testifying to 1,000 years of history and architecture.

Fontvieille

Want to wander off the beaten path and discover the rural charm of the Alpilles Regional Natural Park? Be sure to stop by the small village of Fontvielle, where you can still find troglodyte houses, dating back to the days of the great stone quarries. Here, you can see the famous mill of Alphonse Daudet, and the Roman aqueduct of Barbegal, built in the 4th century AD.

Beaux de Provence

Another must-see is Beaux-de-Provence, one of France’s most beautiful villages. Explore its medieval cobbled streets and its castle atop the hill, a listed historic monument overlooking the surrounding countryside. While there, be sure to catch the current exhibition at the incredible Carrières des Lumières. Here, art comes alive thanks to a series of floor-to-ceiling projections by the greatest contemporary artists. A magical experience not to be missed if you’re in the area.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Venture further into the Alpilles region and visit Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the birthplace of Nostradamus and a favorite of Van Gogh. Browse the art galleries and charming boutiques, then delve into history at the archaeological site of Glanum, an ancient Gallic and then Roman fortified city, with ruins dating back to the 6th century BC. You can also stop by the little Peirou lake, for a refreshing nature break.

Camargue

The Camargue countryside is just a stone’s throw away – be sure to explore it! Discover its salt marshes, rice fields, and reeds teeming with wildlife – keep your eyes peeled for pink flamingos, white horses and Camargue bulls.

Popular activities to discover

Relive Van Gogh’s influence in Arles and savor the local specialties of the Camargue