Arles

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.

Understand
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.



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

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.

Get around
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.





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



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

Buy

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

Eat
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.

Drink

 * Pastis, the local wines are good with food. Take advantage of the proximity of Nîmes for wines.
 * There's the touristy Café Van Gogh, painted to look like his Night Café painting and located at the site of his original painting.
 * Check out some of the other cafés in place du Forum, Rue Wilson, etc...

Sleep
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.

Mid-range
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.

Connect
As of July 2023, Arles and its approach roads have 5G from all French carriers.

Go next
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
 * Tarascon