Introduction
Arles, situated in south-eastern France, is one of the few cities with such a long and eventful history. The city is at a distance of around 90 km from Marseilles, along the banks of Rhone, bordering the extreme north point of Camargue, where Rhone delta spills into the Mediterranean. Arles is primarily a centre of art today. But at one point of time in its history, it was considered a city of immense strategic importance. It was the capital of Provence under the Roman Empire and a seat of early archbishops.

Wherever you go in Arles, medieval structures pop up suddenly. The present status of the city as a place of artistic excellence is related to Vincent Van Gogh who spent some of the most prolific times in his life in Arles and produced around 200 paintings. People are friendly and always welcoming and you will feel that they are always on vacation. There is a strong Spanish influence on the psyche of the city, and culture and tourism have combined to give it a different look.

PART OF CIRCUIT
Arles is located in the middle of Montpellier-Avignon-Aix-Marseille circuit in France. Do not forget to visit the small villages dotting the entire region of Arles that are also part of this circuit.

What to do
Once in Arles, you will find yourself engrossed in doing so many things that it can be difficult to keep track of time. You can discover Arles through three self-guided tours available in the city. Colourful icons and arrows are there on the sidewalks to help you out. Yellow is for sites related to Van Gogh, Green is from medieval heritage, and blue is for antique Arles. There is a beautiful park with benches and walkways along Blvd Des Lices. You can also enjoy yourself at the playground along the park by having colourful rides. Golfing and camping are some of the options you would certainly like to indulge in Arles. You will find many places to take part in these activities. You can also participate in horseback riding; mountain biking and nature walk at Camargue.

City at a Glance

Latitude 43°N Longitude 4°E Altitude Sea level Area 758.93 sq km Population 52,000 Language French Religion Christianity

History
The first civilized inhabitants of Arles were the Greeks and the Phoenicians in the 6th century BC. The Greeks brought with them cherry trees, chestnuts, and olives, besides the Provencal language with hundreds of words. Later immigrants to the city were from Liguria and Rome.

The city became a major port during the 1st century BC when the Roman consul Gaius Marius built a canal via the Mediterranean to Arles. The city became a focal point for land traffic between France, Italy, and Spain. In the first century AD, Julius Caesar annexed Arles to his empire and took personal interest in the development of the city making it the capital of Roman Provence. This was the time when the city saw the construction of Arènes amphitheatre, Roman Théâtre Antique, Les Alyscamps, and the thèrmes de la Trouille. As the Roman government declined during the 5th century, the city began to rely more heavily on the influence of its Christian administrators.

From 5th to 8th century AD, the Visigoths ruled the region after taking control of the city from the Romans. It was the time when Arles saw St. Augustine’s consecration as the first Archbishop of Canterbury in AD 597. The city went into a long period of instability in AD 597, when Saracens from Spain invaded the city. In the 12th century, this region was called as the Kingdom of Arles and the city regained some of its former splendour as the capital of new kingdom ruled by Rudolf II. He was succeeded by his son Conrad in AD 937. Rudolf III, king of Arles, handed over the city to the Holy Roman Empire in AD 1032, but due to the vastness of their empire, the Germans could not devote much time to develop the city. It was at this time when French influence began to grow in the region, and, by the year AD 1378, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV ceded the Kingdom of Arles to France.

Arles saw the construction of some of its treasures in the late medieval age when the church and cloister of St. Trophime were built. It again prospered with the coming of immigrants from north of France. However, by the 18th and 19th century, the city lost most of its charms except the beauty of its women.

Painter Vincent Van Gogh came to this city in 1888 and in the 15 months of his stay, he produced more than 200 paintings including Le Pont de Langlois, café du Soir and a rendering of Les Alyscamps. Most of the places where Van Gogh stayed or which served as subjects were destroyed during the bombings in the World War II.

Weather and Best Season to Visit
The entire southern and south-east coastal plain enjoys the pleasant Mediterranean climate. There is no rain in the summer. Mistral is a cold and dry wind that remains in the region of Rhone Valley for almost three months a year, mostly in spring. Summer is the best time to visit Arles.

Attractions
Most of the attractions of Arles are open to the public daily between 9 a.m. and 12 noon (except on Monday mornings) and between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are cheap and are valid for three days.

Les Arènes
Les Arènes could hold twenty-six thousand people at one time. The original amphitheatre was built in AD 70–80. Three square towers were added to the building in the 12th century. During the medieval ages, it was filled with tunnels, shops and houses. Entrance to the site is from the north.

Roman Theatre Antique
The Roman Theatre Antique has a seating capacity of ten to fifteen thousand spectators. It is considered one of the earliest freestanding theatres with radiating walls and galleries. Two surviving columns, nicknamed deux veuves (two widows), suggest the architectural beauty that preceded the theatre’s function during the Dark Ages as a rock quarry. The theatre now accommodates only a few hundred and hosts Arle’s Music and Drama Festival every year in July.

Les Alyscamps
Les Alyscamps (mythical burial ground) is a thoroughfare to the southeast of the town flanked on either side by tombs that once were breathtakingly detailed. Museé d’ Art Chrétien now houses most of the important finds from the site.

Roman Circus
Located in the south-west of central Arles is the Roman Circus, largest in the Roman world and big enough to race six chariots at one point of time.

Museums
Some of the museums in the city are Musée de l’Arles Antiques, Musée Calvet, and Musée Lapidaire, containing most of the remains of historic sites of Arles.

IMPORTANT FESTIVALS AND EXHIBITIONS
Whatever time of the year you visit Arles, you will find residents celebrating some or the other festival that reflects the lifestyle of the people of this small place. The city hosts the International Photography Encounter every year in the summer, an occasion that attracts quite a good number of tourists to the city. January is the month for celebrating International Salon des Santoniers in Arles. In March, the people celebrate Salon chocolate et gourmandises. Similarly, Spanish influence can be seen during BullsBulls La Feria Pascale and Concert of the Chapel of Méjean. April is the month to celebrate the Jazz festival and the Party of the Gardians (La Fête des Gardians), a festival when the most beautiful woman of the city is chosen. Les Fetes d’Arles and feux de la Saint Jean are celebrated in the month of June. Rice festival is celebrated in the month of September, while the International Salon des Santoniers is celebrated in November.

GETTING AROUND
If you are in Arles, do not forget to visit the places around that are quite rich in history and natural beauty. Aix/Pvc is at a distance of around 76 km from Arles and a city of art, fountains, activities and several universities.

Avignon is situated at a distance of around 36 km from Arles and a town full of historical sites and beautiful countryside. Once you will reach the town, you will never like to leave it.

Marseilles, around 90 km off Arles, is a Provencal city flavoured by history, culture, vitality, seaport, seafood, music, museums, antique and travel.

In a way, most of the places around Arles like Beaux de Provence (20 km), St. Rémy (30 km), Stes.Maries-de-la-Mer (38 km), and Glanum (23) have the same blend of history, art, and natural beauty in their environs.

AFTER HOURS
There are many bars and pubs in Arles. The nightlife is good taking into consideration the size of the city.

IMPORTANT ADDRESSES
The best way to explore Arles is on foot. If in trouble, contact the following address

Tourist Information Centre
Esplanade Charles de Gaulle (Blvd. des Lices) 13200 ARLES
Phone: +33 (0) 4 90 18 41 20
Fax: +33 (0) 4 90 93 17 17

HOTELS
There are around 50 hotels in and around Arles. Camping facilities are also available.

Jules Cesar (Four-Star Hotel)
Boulevard Lices
13200 Arles, France
Phone: +33 4 9093 4320
Fax: +33 4 9093 3347

Grand Hotel Nord Pinus (Four-Star)
Place du Forum
13200 Arles, France
Phone: +33 4 9093 4444
Fax: +33 4 9093 3400

RESTAURANTS
There is no dearth of places where you can satisfy your palate in Arles. Most of the restaurants excel in local cuisine.

Auberge d’Alivon
Le Patry de la Trinité
13200 Arles, France
Phone: +33 4 9097 1155

Balladins
Zone Fourchon
13200 Arles, France
Phone: +33 4 9093 8833

TRAVEL INFORMATION
Air Travel Resources
There are around six airports situated within a distance of 60 km from Arles that connect the city from many places in Europe including Athens, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, and Vienna.

Land and water
Autoroutes along the coast connect Arles with other cities in the region and with the cities in Italy. Speed limit on the autoroute is 130 km per hour. Roads are narrow and winding but with good surface. Tollbooths are present at principal places.

Local Transport
Unwind yourself on foot and you will find that you have found the perfect way to explore the Arles region. Cycling is also a good way to visit the nearby places.