Arles

Remote, uneventful, but definitely no waste of time, Arles is absolutely steeped in Provençal culture. The museums are small, but have some interested artifacts. Unfortunately there are no Van Goghs to be found in the city, despite the fact that his residence in Arles was his most productive. Chico Bouchiki, co-founder of the Gypsy Kings, as well as the rest of the band, is from Arles. Take a lazy stroll along the Rhône, dip into a café and continue strolling. Arles is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List

• Office de Tourisme d'Arles

  phone: +33 4 90184120
  address: Boulevard des Lices

By train

• Gare d'Arles

  address: Avenue Paulin TALABOT

By bus

There are several bus lines from towns all over the Bouches-du-Rhône. You can always buy your passage from the conductor.

• Gare Routière

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.

Arles is for the most part small enough to enjoy by foot, if you aren't lazy. Otherwise, rely on taxis and buses.

By bicycle

Rent bicycles or a motor wheel for day trips in the alpilles around Arles.

• Taco & CoA few old bicycle, but cheap. The also have luggage storage ( / 24 hr).

• 1 VélocNew bicycles and more choices.

• The H company

  address: 1 Bis Rue Emile Fassin
  Visit Arles on gyropodes.

• Arles PatrimoineMost 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.

Historical centre

• Arènes d'Arleswas built in the first or second century B.C. houses Corridas at Easter and the Rice Festa in September. Throughout the summer there are various courses camarguaises (bloodless bullfighting).

• Théatre Antique d'ArlesIt was built at the end of the 1st century BC.

• CryptoportiquesNow 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 located inside the Hôtel de Ville d'Arles (aka Mairie d'Arles).

• Thermes de ConstantinThe remains of the Roman baths

• Cathédrale Saint-TrophimeA church in Romanesque style built in XIIth century. Besides the church there is a quite remarkable cloister.

• Cloister Saint-TrophimeA former monastery with a beautiful courtyard.

• Espace Van Gogh

  phone: +33 4 90 49 39 39
  address: Place Docteur Félix Rey
  A former hospital with a courtyard where Van Gogh was kept under medical treatment.

Out of historical centre

• AlycampsAn ancient burial site and early Christian cemetery. Eglise Saint Honorat is at the SE end of the place.

• Pont de LangloisIt was the subject of several paintings by Vincent van Gogh.

Museums

• Musée de l'Arles et de la Provence antiques

  phone: +33 4 13 31 51 03
  address: Presqu'île-du-cirque-romain BP 205
  An archeological museum of Arles. At the NE side of the museum there are some very scarce remains of the Roman circus.

• Musée Réattu

  phone: +33 4 90 49 37 58
  address: 10, rue du Grand Prieuré

• Museon Arlaten

  phone: +33 4 13 31 51 99
  address: 29-31 rue de la République

Beyond the city

Each of the following or some combined can be visited on a day tour by bicycle from Arles.

• Abbaye de MontmajourA national monument and former Benedictine monastry founded in 948.

• Les Moulins d'Alphonse Daudet

  address: Fontvieille
  Four picturesque windmills of which two are excellently preserved.

• CamargueOne of Europe's largest river deltas and wetlands, a great place to spot flamingos and French cowboys.

• Réserve Naturelle des Marais du VigueiratA 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.

The Market and definitely think about researching for expositions and other events of the sort.

• Markets and brocantes.
• Check out the Saturday market for sure.

Saucisson d'Arles (traditionally made with a bit of donkey meat), marinated olives from the market, Languedoc cheeses from the market, etc. Other dishes: Gardianne de Boeuf, Daubes, Fougasse d'Arles (with duck confit inside)
For restos, check out the menus on side street restaurants.

• La Bohême

  phone: +33 4 90 18 58 92
  address: 6 Rue Balze

• La Mule Blanche

  phone: +33 4 90 93 98 54
  address: 9 Rue du Président Wilson

• Querida

  phone: +33 4 90 98 37 81
  address: 37 rue des Arenes

• Pastis, the local wines are good with food. Take advantage of the proximity of Nîmes for wines.
• There's the embarrassingly touristy Café Van Gogh, painted to look like his Night Café painting and lots of Japanese tourists who seem to be on the verge of a euphoric break-down when they see it.
• Check out some of the other cafés in place du Forum, Rue Wilson, etc...

If you plan on camping in this area, keep in mind that Arles is surrounded by rivers, streams, and marshes which all have mosquitoes. Another favored alternative is sleeping in the streets. Place de la Libération offers a hospitable sidewalk with a boulder, dedicated to two American WWII pilots shot down over Arles, under shelter of which you may sleep.

Budget

• Auberge de Jeunesse

  address: 20, avenue Foch

Mid-range

• Résidence Club Le Domaine de l'Estajan

  phone: +33 1 58 21 55 84
  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.

There are a few hotels apparently built within parts of former abbeys, such as Hôtel du Cloître by Saint Trophime. Also, there are tons of hôtels de tourisme.

Arles is centrally located. The town straddles Provence and the Languedoc. Profit from its positioning and enjoy the great nature that surrounds: the Camargue and beaches to the south, the Alpilles to the east, etc.

• Aix-en-Provence the city of Cézanne and the Montagne Sainte-Victoire.
• Avignon
• Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
• Saint-Martin-de-Crau