Day Trip to Arles, France

Arles is a beautiful city in the South of France, in the heart of Provence. Located in the Bouches-du-Rhône Department, it is a heritage-rich city with much to offer. If you want to make the most of a day-trip, I would suggest focusing on these: The Roman Amphitheatre, the Van Gogh trail and a few churches and museums.

The Amphitheatre and Arena

Dating back to the end of the first century, with a capacity of about 20.000 at the time it was built, the Amphitheatre of Arles has been a UNESCO World Heritage since 1981.

With 60 arcades over two levels, measuring 109 meters in width and 136 meters in length, and a well-preserved system of staircases and galleries, it still hosts cultural festivals, concerts and bullfights.

Opening times and admission:

Open from 9 am to 6 pm from March to October and from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm from November to February.

Admission is between €9 and €13.50, depending on the type of pass you opt for.

How to get there:

The Amphitheatre is a 12-minute walk from Arles Train Station (or a 5-minute drive)

Address: 1 Rond-point des Arènes, 13200 Arles, France

How long does it take to visit the Arles Amphitheatre?

For a quick look - set aside at least 30-40 minutes. For a more in-depth exploration, and if you also want to see the Ancient Theatre, which is a 2-minute walk away, then give yourself around 1 to 2 hours.

Van Gogh Trail

Van Gogh painted around 300 of his works during his 15-month stay in Arles. Pretty much throughout the city, you will see some of his places of inspiration.

There are a few options for self-guided walking tours - see a few here and here. Or, if you want a private tour, you have a few options here.

Churches and Museums

Cathédrale Saint-Trophime, the Cloister of St. Trophime and Église de la Major d'Arles are all within walking distance (10-15 minutes) from the Amphitheatre and Arena. Most of them are open Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm and 4pm-6pm.

When it comes to museums, Museon Arlaten, Musée Réattu and Musée Départemental Arles Antique are good options for art, ethnography, and archaeology. Some of the museums are closed on either Monday or Friday, so please make sure to check before your visit.

Walk along the Rhone

A walk along the Rhone is also a very pleasant way to spend a few hours in Arles, especially on a warm spring or summer day. While you're there, make sure to try the fougasse (a local type of bread) and the Tomme d'Arles (sheep's milk cheese).

Have you ever been there? If so, I would love to hear about your visit there, in the comment section below.

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Take care.