Location: Arles
Top Things to do in Arles
Top 10 Historic Sites in Arles, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Restaurants in Arles
1. Eglise St-Trophime
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 901 reviews
Reviewed By MaryannF650 - Clarksville, United States
During a river cruise, we participated in a shore excursion of Arles where we engaged in a historic and photographic walking tour. Located on the main square, Eglise St. Trophime was part of our visit. We were so fortunate to have had a tour guide who provided us with an extensive history of St. Trophime. What incredible architecture. How photographic! According to available literature, "The Church of St. Trophime was built in the late 11th and 12th centuries and was named after the city's first bishop. This fine Romanesque edifice is notable for its magnificent carved west portal, interesting furnishings and glorious cloisters containing impressive sculpture...they show all sorts of biblical scenes, like the Apocalypse and the Gospel of St. Matthew. If you look up at the tympanum you can identify Jesus seated above the 12 apostles, beneath some 40 angels in the archivolt. The interior of St. Trophime has early Christian sarcophagi, 13th century plaques and epitaphs, baroque paintings and nine Aubusson tapestries from the 17th century. Located in the Place de la Republique, not far from the Quai Lamartine pier. Don't miss it!
2. Amphitheatre (les Arenes)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,291 reviews
Reviewed By Solarbearz
We toured the amphitheatre during a recent visit to Arles. First, it was incredibly impressed from the street, being in such good condition considering its age. Entering the amphitheatre we walked through corridors of beautiful hewn stone that took us back to centuries past. We finally entered the arena and took seats in the cool sun to take it all in. It is in such good condition that it is hard to believe it is so old. The best part was knowing that the amphitheatre is still in use. The arena was set up for bull fights which I wish we could have seen. Provençal fighting bulls don’t end up as hamburger, but instead, the bulls become celebrities in their own right and have quite a fan following until they are retired. We were told that when these bulls finally died of old age they were buried standing up and facing the Mediterranean. I’m planning on doing this with with my hubby if I can outlive him. We were lucky to tour the amphitheatre on a cool day in November when the tourist count was extremely low. The only thing better would have been to arrive on a day when a bull fight was scheduled, as I am sure it is a magnificent event in such an historic setting!
3. Barbegal Watermill
4. Le Sentier des Moulins d'Alphonse Daudet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Le sentier des moulins est une balade familiale d'environ une heure qui passe devant les moulins d'Alphonse Daudet et le Château de Montauban. Libre d'accès toute l'année sauf conditions météorologiques exceptionnelles (accès aux massifs forestiers).
5. Les Alyscamps
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 455 reviews
Reviewed By PhilFGuildford - Leeds, United Kingdom
Upon arriving in Arles on a day trip from Avignon my immediate focus was on the Arénes d'Arles and Cryptoporticus. Les Alyscamps was just something to tick off on my list and inevitably proved to be the final attraction I visited. Ever since however the site has dominated my reflections on the place. Once among the most famous necropolises in the world, the location is now nothing more than a slightly dusty tree-lined walkway with faded sarcophaguses either side culminating in an empty church. For some, such as the couple who entered just before me and were headed for the exit while I was still reading the information board at the beginning, Les Alyscamps can be seen in about 10 minutes. However anyone that chooses to take their time will find it wholly rewarding. A worthwhile stop off is the old chapel to the left hand side of the site. Many old inscriptions within can still be made out. Also of note is an image showing Vincent Van Gogh’s autumnal 1888 painting of the location; the impact of his stay in Arles can be seen all over the city. The highlight however has to be the church of St. Honoratus at the end of the walkway. The building is empty save for a limited number of stone objects. The concrete walls are bare yet remain in excellent condition and the stain glass windows are perfectly intact. Ultimately with the coos of the resident pigeons creating a haunting echo it becomes rather creepy if you are inside on your own as I was. I had to summon a bit of courage to pass through the short tunnel below. Never before have I encountered a church that is simultaneously so intact from a structural perspective, yet so bare. There are inscriptions in some parts and staring up into a dome-shaped section of the roof one can see faded colours from artwork that once adorned the upper brick section. Overall a visit to Les Alyscamps is all about taking things in gradually and letting your imagination create images of how it may have appeared several centuries ago. The location is a little bit out of the city centre but can be reached on foot; there is a pleasant stretch of water leading to the entrance and nearby I found an abandoned railway line including a tunnel that has been barred to prevent public access. All in all it is a fascinating area. As of April 2019 when I stopped by the attraction was included in the city’s tourist pass that incorporates many other marvellous places such as the Cloitre St-Trophime. I purchased mine at the Arénes d'Arles; they can be obtained at several other points. Suffice to say that this renders the entrance fee extremely affordable.
6. Theatre Antique
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,282 reviews
Reviewed By Sightsee774263 - Glen Mills, United States
The antique theatre ruins are amazing along with the Colosseum and Place de la Republique. Also don't miss the Starry Night replica.
7. Chateau de Montauban
8. Thermes de Constantin
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 310 reviews
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
The Thermes de Constantin date back to the 4th century, during the reign of Emperor Constantine. They are what we now call the Roman baths of the day. People would go there to wash and relax. There was a hot area, a warm and a cold area. Slaves would usually help in the cleansing of the body. The building was quite large and the architecture and engineering are very impressive with the heat travelling under the floor to warm up the bath. Worth visiting, but you need to use some imagination.
9. Moulin de Daudet
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 549 reviews
10. Cryptoportiques
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 677 reviews
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
Visiting the Cryptoportiques is quite an experience. It's totally underground, dark, wet and almost miserable. However it is actually exciting, particularly if you are a History buff. If you like history or are interested in culture, then you will most likely enjoy a walk through this dark space. It dates to Roman times and used to be the Forum or Market Place. Food for thought, considering this used to be on ground level originally! Times have changed. It is extremely dark, with very little lighting and there really is not much to see, apart from a few broken "columns" and some other items. You have to go down some steps so you need to be prepared. Worth a visit.
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