Place du Forum

Place du Forum, immortalised by Van Gogh

The Arles audio-guided tour takes you to Place du Forum, one of the liveliest spots in the city. Van Gogh immortalised it by painting the evening café, under a starry sky, one of the works that forever bound the painter to Arles.

At the heart of the city since Antiquity

Throughout time, this square has symbolised the heart of the city, on the site of the former Roman forum. The café painted by Van Gogh was later repainted yellow to heighten the resemblance to the canvas, even though the painter himself explained that the façade only took on a yellow tint at night, in the warmth of the candles. The square also pays tribute to the Provençal writer Frédéric Mistral.

What there is to see

On the square you find the terrace of the yellow café, now a place of pilgrimage for admirers of the painter, as well as the statue of Frédéric Mistral. Lined with lively terraces, Place du Forum is ideal for a break, between ancient history, the legacy of Van Gogh and the Provençal art of living.

Practical information

Place du Forum is in the heart of the historic centre of Arles, on the site of the former Roman forum. It is freely accessible at all hours and on the level. The terraces and cafés keep their own hours; the atmosphere there is particularly lively in the evening.

What painting did Van Gogh make there?

On Place du Forum, Van Gogh painted the famous evening café terrace, under a starry sky. The café was later repainted yellow to recall the painting.

Whom does the statue on the square honour?

The square hosts a statue of Frédéric Mistral, Provençal writer and poet, Nobel laureate in literature, a major figure in the defence of regional culture.