- Arles contains a massive network of Roman underground tunnels known as the cryptoporticus, which served as the structural foundation for the city's ancient forum.
- The city is a gateway to the Camargue, a unique marshy delta region famous for its wild white horses, black bulls, and pink flamingos.
- During the Roman era, Arles was known as 'Little Rome' and functioned as a strategic administrative center for the Western Mediterranean.
- Arles hosts one of the world's most prestigious annual photography festivals, attracting artists and visitors from across the globe since 1970.
- The city’s traditional folk costumes and language have been preserved through local associations, a tradition significantly championed by poet Frédéric Mistral.
About Arles
Arles is a UNESCO World Heritage site situated in the Provence region, renowned for its exceptional density of Roman architecture including the iconic Arles Amphitheatre. The city’s profound influence on art history is cemented by the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles, which honors the painter’s prolific period here. Visitors can explore the deep cultural roots of the region through the extensive collections at the Museon Arlaten or walk through the underground galleries of the Cryptoportiques d'Arles. This city serves as a living museum where ancient Roman history and Provencal artistic heritage intersect.
Highlights of Arles
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
View one of the best-preserved Roman arenas in the world, still used for seasonal events.
Museums
View rare Roman artifacts, including a full-scale replica of a flat-bottomed river barge discovered in the Rhone.
Historical places
Admire the remaining Corinthian columns of this ancient site which continues to host open-air performances.
Museums
Examine contemporary art and rotating exhibitions that explore the legacy of Vincent van Gogh.
Temples
Study the intricate Romanesque stone carvings decorating the facade of this medieval church.
Places of interest
Visit the site that inspired van Gogh’s famous depiction of a drawbridge in the Provencal countryside.
Museums
Explore an eclectic collection of fine arts housed in a 17th-century grand residence along the riverbank.
Historical places
Descend beneath the town square to explore the vast subterranean galleries of the ancient Roman market.
Top things to do in Arles
The 95 highest-rated places in Arles, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
The Arles Amphitheatre is a Roman-built structure dating back to 90 AD, designed to hold up to 20,000 spectators for cha...
2
Zoos
The Camargue Regional Nature Park is a vast protected wetland delta located at the mouth of the Rhône River between the...
3
Parks
The Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau is a 60-hectare nature reserve located in the heart of the Camargue Regional Natu...
4
Temples
The Eglise des Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is a 12th-century Romanesque fortress-church located in the Camargue region. It...
5
Museums
The Musée départemental Arles antique is a premier repository for artifacts from Roman Arelate, housing one of the world...
6
Historical places
Tarascon Castle is a remarkably preserved 15th-century fortress situated directly on the banks of the Rhône River. Built...
7
Historical places
Built under Augustus at the end of the 1st century BC, the Roman Theatre of Arles served as a site for theatrical perfor...
8
Amusement parks
Domaine de Méjanes is a traditional agricultural estate located on the banks of the Vaccarès lagoon in the heart of the...
9
Amusement parks
Le Vieux Mas (The Old Farmhouse) is a living history amusement park dedicated to the agricultural traditions of the Cama...
10
Museums
The Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles is housed within the historic Hôtel Léautaud de Donines, a 15th-century mansion ren...
11
Historical places
The Abbaye of Saint-Roman is a unique troglodytic monastery carved directly into the limestone massif of the Aiguille. E...
12
Temples
Saint-Trophime is a prominent Romanesque church in Arles, renowned for its 12th-century portal, which is a masterwork of...
13
Venues
The Arenas of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is an open-air amphitheater specifically designed for Camargue-style bullfighting...
14
Places of interest
The Langlois Bridge, also known as the Pont de Langlois, is a reconstruction of the original 19th-century drawbridge fam...
15
Parks
Jardin d'été is a public park located on a landscaped hill directly adjacent to the historic center of Arles. The park i...
16
Zoos
The Marais du Vigueirat is a significant ecological transition zone between the Rhone Delta and the Crau plain, serving...
17
Historical places
Beaucaire Castle is a 12th-century medieval fortress situated on a limestone cliff overlooking the Rhône River. It featu...
18
Museums
Founded by Nobel laureate Frédéric Mistral in 1896, the Museon Arlaten is a regional ethnography museum dedicated to the...
19
Museums
La Maison du Riz is a specialized museum and working farm located in the heart of the Camargue, dedicated to the history...
20
Museums
21
Historical places
22
Venues
23
Places of interest
24
Historical places
25
Historical places
26
Temples
27
Zoos
28
Temples
29
Temples
30
Zoos
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Arles on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Arles
May to June or September to October, when temperatures are moderate for walking and the peak summer crowds have not yet arrived.
2-3 days, providing enough time to visit the major Roman sites and explore the surrounding Camargue countryside.
The historic center is highly walkable, while local buses serve the outskirts and neighboring natural parks.
The historic center (within the Roman ramparts) is best for proximity to sites, while the area near the Rhone river offers scenic views.
Mid-range; while dining and entry fees are standard for France, accommodation costs can rise during summer festivals.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 95 curated attractions in and around Arles, ranked by traveller ratings.
Arles Amphitheatre is the highest-rated place to visit in Arles right now.
The largest category is museums, with 21 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Paris, Lyon, Lormont.
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