Where to Base
Stay in the historic city center to walk easily to UNESCO-listed Roman monuments and Van Gogh landmarks. Hotels near the old town immerse you in the Provençal atmosphere and provide convenient access to photography festival venues.

Arles, situated in southern France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, serves as a significant historical hub for the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. As a coastal city and commune, it encompasses a large portion of the Camargue, France's largest wetland area, making it the largest commune in Metropolitan France by geographic territory. The city boasts a rich artistic heritage, notably hosting Vincent van Gogh from 1888 to 1889, during which he produced over 300 works. It is also home to an annual international photography festival since 1970 and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 for its Roman and Romanesque monuments. For hotel travelers, Arles offers a unique blend of ancient history, natural landscapes, and vibrant cultural events, providing an ideal base for exploring the region's artistic and historical legacy.
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Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Stay in the historic city center to walk easily to UNESCO-listed Roman monuments and Van Gogh landmarks. Hotels near the old town immerse you in the Provençal atmosphere and provide convenient access to photography festival venues.
Arles has no airport; travelers typically connect via Marseille or Nîmes. The compact city center allows easy exploration of historical sites on foot. Renting a car or joining tours is recommended for visiting the expansive Camargue wetlands.
Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather for outdoor exploration. The annual international photography festival draws art enthusiasts, requiring early booking. Summer is vibrant but demands sun protection and hydration due to heat.

former cathedral in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône, France), today parish church

Roman amphitheatre in Arles, France

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Arles, France
Gallo-Roman necropolis in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône, France)

Gallo-Roman theatre in Arles, France

Ancient roman obelisk in Arles

ethnographic museum in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence, France).

Departmental Museum of Ancient Arles : museum on the Gallo-Roman period of Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône, France)

former abbey in Arles, France

French bridge

museum in Arles

Ancient Roman thermae in Arles, France
Arnaud Jourdan (stints in the kitchens of La Chassagnette and Les Maisons Rabanel) has adroitly taken over the reins of this bistro, which continues to serve indulgent market cuisine that is both simple and generous. Shining examples include the carpaccio of calf's head with ravigote sauce, the skate wing à la grenobloise with glazed radishes and the delicious chocolate mousse with black olives and fleur de sel. A buzzy, laid-back vibe and, true to its name (slang for "wine"), you can expect a fine selection of natural and biodynamic wines at reasonable prices.
🕐 We-Sa 12:30-15:00,19:30-23:00
Eight gardeners work full-time in the kitchen garden of this restaurant, which is a pioneer in self-sufficiency. The farmhouse is surrounded by 3ha of permaculture organic vegetable gardens, orchards, beehives and even a tropical greenhouse – the only one of its kind in a restaurant in France; coffee, bananas and papaya grow here... Diners can take a look at these areas around the property before or after eating! Holding the reins in this paradise of home-grown food, chef Armand Arnal cultivates the transition from the land to the kitchen to the dishes without artifice. He still has the same a
🕐 Mar 04-May 30,Sep 21-Dec 20 Mo-Th 12:00-15:30; Mar 04-May 30,Sep 21-Dec 20 Fr-Su 12:00-15:30,19:00-21:00; Jun 01-Sep 20 12:00-15:30,19:00-21:00
WebsiteA tremendous ambassador of the Mediterranean art de vivre, the Provençal country estate of Baumanière promises a uniquely tranquil, bucolic and elegant experience – this location has captivated artists and celebrities for decades. Within these centuries-old walls, chef Glenn Viel (now a judge on French TV's Top Chef) is clearly enjoying an increasing sense of freedom in his cooking. He draws inspiration for his Mediterranean fare from the wealth of local produce (olive oil from the Vallée des Baux, organic vegetables from the estate's own garden, chicken and pork) but also remains true to the
WebsiteSet in a luxury hotel complete with a golf course, spa and pool, L’Aupiho pays a vibrant tribute to regional traditions, which is hardly surprising given its location at the foot of the Alpilles and the Baux… This passion for Provence is embodied by a youthful Belgian chef, Lieven Van Aken, who kicked off his career in Brussels before working under Michel Guérard. His recipes are meticulous, but they are also bold and powerful: vegetarian bouillabaisse, saffron rouille; smoked and grilled sweetbread, tartare of seaweed and Mediterranean langoustines. Century-old plane trees set the refreshing
WebsiteBetween Nîmes and Arles, in grounds planted with hundred-year-old cedars, Michel Kayser does what he does best: cooking from the heart to enhance the ingredients, while harnessing his technical skills in a bid to stir the emotions of good food lovers. There are few chefs who celebrate the Mediterranean with such precision, aplomb or enthusiasm: red mullet grilled under a salamander, ravioles of French olives (picholines), jus of roasted fish bones; breast of squab from Costière cooked on the bone, stuffed leg and crunchy offal, gutsy jus of smoked paprika. All the side dishes and other edible
WebsiteDesigned as a landmark and tribute to the region, architect Frank Gehry's LUMA Tower not only draws art lovers but is also a beacon for foodies. Constructed using recycled materials and natural resources such as Arles merino wool, the venue boasts impressive proportions. Pushing the boundaries, the indulgent dishes showcase fine seasonal produce: poultry pâté en croûte; seared pollock, fennel confit with orange and saffron; lemon cream and Buddha's hand, hazelnut praline. The wine list homes in on organic labels.
WebsiteJean-Luc Rabanel is a colourful character with a lilting accent, who perpetually reinvents his vegetable-based cuisine. Les Maisons Rabanel, a single place but two styles of cooking: Greeniotage, which tends towards bistro food, and Greenstronome for fine dining. Always going out on a limb, this engaging chef shakes things up at every service. A unique personality.
WebsiteThis charming bistro nestled in the old town of Arles has light wood furnishings and walls the colour of freshly churned butter. Sarah and Julien Richard serve up an enticing set menu of dishes garnished with herbs and flowers from their kitchen garden. Indulge in semi-cooked duck foie gras, smoked eel and an exotic peppercorn confit, chickpeas with lemon and basil served with socca (Provençal chickpea flatbread), or pigeon des Costières cooked whole, its legs served confit and morels in their own juices. An upstairs area accommodates groups. Small selection of regional wines.
WebsiteAttraction data from Wikidata (CC0) and open sources, ranked by notability and distance — for reference.
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