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! A major archaeological find! As you know, Arles was one of the first settlements founded by Julius Caesar, as he saw its prime location for both sea and river trade. Over the centuries and millennia, the Rhône River has served as a bit of a dumping ground for unwanted items and relics of the past. So it’s not unusual to find treasures from bygone eras alongside electric scooters and rusty car parts. This Caesar bust is one of only two known busts created during his lifetime! Experts believe it was crafted by a great artist, probably Greek, as the marble used is top-quality and almost certainly comes from Paros, Greece, or an area in present-day Turkey. But wait, there’s more! Divers have unearthed other crazy relics down there, including a 1st-century boat; it took a whole three years to pull it out and put it back together. It’s now on display in the city’s Archaeological Museum. If you have some time, it’s well worth a visit!