Advice

Let's pause for a moment to give you a few tips for your visit to Arles, and some extra ideas if you'd like to further explore the area. First of all, if you're planning to visit several sites, consider choosing the advantage city pass. It's valid for 6 months and grants you access to 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 3 museums. You can thus visit the amphitheater, the ancient theater, the Saint Trophime Cloister, the Cryptoporticus, the Alyscamps and the Baths of Constantine. Basically, all the most important places ! As for museums, you can visit Arles’ Archaeological Museum (Musée Départemental Arles Antique), the Réattu museum of Contemporary Art and the Camargue museum. Need a break from ancient history? Discover Arles’ modern side with a visit to the Parc des ateliers and the striking LUMA Tower. It's the work of a well-known Canadian architect, Frank Gehry, who's also behind some of the world's most remarkable buildings, including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Dancing House in Prague and the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris. So here you'll find the Luma Tower, built as an interdisciplinary campus and a hub for artistic experimentation. Admission is free, and the garden is open daily from 7 AM to 8:30 PM. Montmajour Abbey is also a must-see, a bit further afield. Founded in 948, just 4km from Arles, it was one of the wealthiest abbeys in Provence in the 10th century. It was sold as national property during the French Revolution, and its stones were used to build houses in Arles. In 1840, however, its remains were classified as a historical monument, and the site underwent major restoration work. Today, it's a true Benedictine gem, testifying to 1,000 years of history and architecture. Want to wander off the beaten path and discover the rural charm of the Alpilles Regional Natural Park? Be sure to stop by the small village of Fontvielle, where you can still find troglodyte houses, dating back to the days of the great stone quarries. Here, you can see the famous mill of Alphonse Daudet ‘s novel, and the Roman aqueduct of Barbegal, built in the 4th century AD. Another must-see is Beaux-de-Provence, one of France's most beautiful villages. Explore its medieval cobbled streets and its castle atop the hill, a listed historic monument overlooking the surrounding countryside. While there, be sure to catch the current exhibition at the incredible Carrières des Lumières. Here, art comes alive thanks to a series of floor-to-ceiling projections by the greatest contemporary artists. A magical experience not to be missed if you're in the area. Venture further into the Alpilles region and visit Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the birthplace of Nostradamus and a favorite of Van Gogh. Browse the art galleries and charming boutiques, then delve into history at the archaeological site of Glanum, an ancient Gallic and then Roman fortified city, with ruins dating back to the 6th century BC. You can also stop by the little Peirou lake, for a refreshing nature break. Last but not least, the famous Camargue countryside you so often see on postcards, is just a stone's throw away, so be sure to explore it! Discover its salt marshes, rice fields, and reeds teeming with wildlife – keep your eyes peeled for pink flamingos, white horses and Camargue bulls. Well, with all this, you've got plenty of things to do if you feel like staying in the area for a while.