The Porcelet family

The little Porcelets square, a charming stop

The Arles audio-guided tour invites you to pause on this typical, charming little square, ideal for watching life go by from a café terrace. The street that leads there, Rue des Porcelets, intrigues with its unusual name.

One of the oldest families in Arles

The street bears the name of the Porcelets family, one of the oldest in Arles. If you visit the Alyscamps, the city's necropolis, you will find their fifteenth-century funerary chapel there. Legend has it that this powerful family owed its name to an episode belonging both to history and to local tradition.

What there is to see

The little square, lined with old façades and terraces, invites you to stroll and rest. It is one of those discreet places that make the charm of Arles, away from the main tourist flows. There you savour the peaceful atmosphere of the historic centre, between stone, shade and the Provençal art of living.

Practical information

The little Porcelets square is in the historic centre of Arles, along the street of the same name. It is freely accessible at all hours and on the level. The cafés and terraces around it keep their own hours.

Where does the name Rue des Porcelets come from?

The street is named in memory of the Porcelets family, one of the oldest in Arles, whose fifteenth-century funerary chapel is in the Alyscamps.

What to do on the little Porcelets square?

It is an ideal place for a break on a terrace, away from the bustle, and to enjoy the discreet charm of the historic centre of Arles.