Free walking tours in Arles and what to see

Must-sees

Arles was an important Roman city on the Rhône, and its Roman and Romanesque monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The amphitheatre, still used for shows, and the ancient theatre are a few steps from each other. Beneath the town hall you can visit the cryptoporticus, underground galleries of the old forum, and by the river stand the Baths of Constantine. The church of Saint-Trophime has a carved Romanesque portal and a beautiful cloister.

Van Gogh lived here and painted many of his best-known works. Around the town, panels mark the places he painted, such as the courtyard of the old hospital, now the Espace Van Gogh, and the Fondation Vincent van Gogh shows contemporary art alongside works by the painter. Other sights are the Alyscamps necropolis, the Museum of Ancient Arles and Frank Gehry’s tower at the LUMA park. Arles is also the gateway to the Camargue, with its marshes, flamingos and horses.

Free tours and guided visits

Arles has no regular free walking tours. What’s on offer is a private tour of the town, covering the Roman monuments and the Van Gogh sites. You can also book tickets for Montmajour Abbey, a great medieval monastery a few kilometres away that Van Gogh drew several times. For the Camargue, people usually get around by car or on local trips.

How long to spend

In one day you can see the amphitheatre, the theatre, Saint-Trophime and the cryptoporticus, and take a walk around the Van Gogh sites. With two days you can add the Alyscamps, the Museum of Ancient Arles, the LUMA tower and Montmajour Abbey. If you want to see the Camargue, add another day for the marshes and the sea.

Where to stay

The most convenient place to stay is the historic centre, between the amphitheatre and the Rhône, with small hotels and guesthouses and everything within walking distance. If you plan to explore the Camargue, you can combine a night in Arles with another in a mas, the area’s traditional farmhouses, or in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.