Arles
Situated on the River Rhône and the largest ‘commune’ in France, Arles is well-known for having inspired the paintings of Van Gogh. Picasso, a fan of ‘la corrida’, devoted 2 paintings and 57 drawings to bull-fighting.
Arles on the River Rhône is well-known for having inspired the paintings of Van Gogh and Picasso.
Situated on the River Rhône and the largest ‘commune’ in France, Arles is well-known for having inspired the paintings of Van Gogh. Picasso, a fan of ‘la corrida’, devoted 2 paintings and 57 drawings to bull-fighting.
The 2,500 year old town of Aix was once a city of Roman Gaul, becoming a key location for Christianity, as can be seen from the ‘arènes’ (amphitheatre), ‘Les Alyscamps’ (necropolis), the ancient theatre and the Thermes de Constantin (Roman baths). In 2008, the oldest known bust of Julius Caesar was discovered in the River Rhône. Because of its important history, the city is classed as a « Ville et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire » (Town and District of Art and History) and its Roman and Romanesque buildings became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. It stands like an island surrounded by outstanding natural attractions - the banks of the Rhône, the arid Plaine de la Crau and the Alpilles.
Arles - gateway to the Camargue
Arles is above all the gateway to the Camargue, the homeland of gipsies and meeting place of herdsmen for the férias and corridas (bullfights) which are held in the same amphitheatre (12,000 spectators) as the Roman Games of the 1st century !
Every year Arles hosts the Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie, a summer photography festival.
Relax and enjoy a drink or a meal at one of the many pavement cafés and restaurants in the shade of plane trees on the Place des Lices or the Place du Forum.
Outside the town, stop off at the remarkable, Romanesque-style Abbaye de Montmajour and admire the unforgettable panoramic view from the top of the tower of Tarascon and the Alpilles, the Plaine de la Crau and Arles. SatNav : 43.705673, 4.663913
Explore the Bouches du Rhône region with Gîtes de France Bouche du Rhône : Mucem at Marseille, Carrières de Lumières at Baux de Provence, Musée de l'Arles Antique, Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, Aix en Provence, La Côte Bleue"
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