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ArlesCulture & history

Our most recommended Arles Culture & history

From Avignon: In the Footsteps of Van Gogh in Provence

1. From Avignon: In the Footsteps of Van Gogh in Provence

Start your trip from Avignon and relax with round-trip transportation via air-conditioned minibus to explore Van Gogh's Provence. The sunny region of Provence has long been an inspiration for artists and painters, like Van Gogh. From the bright colors of the sun and sunflowers to the various colorful landscapes, he painted hundreds of works during his stay in Arles and St. Rémy de Provence. Follow in his footsteps at the sites that inspired Starry Night, Maison Jaune, Café Terrace at Night, and others. In Saint Rémy, follow a walking route that shows reproductions of his famous works and visit St. Paul de Mausole Asylum where he was interned.

Arles 2-Hour Private Walking Tour

2. Arles 2-Hour Private Walking Tour

Get to know Arles on a 2-hour walking tour of the French city. Maybe you have already heard about this place, as it is famous for its festival of photography, Rencontres d'Arles, which takes place every year in summer. But let's focus on discovering the historical center of this amazing city. Arles has important remains of Roman times, and you will start your tour by visiting the arena of Roman amphitheater, constructed in the 1st century. Then visit the Antique Theatre and the Arles Obelisk. If you would like to visit another place, simply let your guide know your wishes and your tour will be adjusted accordingly. Keep in mind that Arles is also rich in museums, like Musée de la Camargue or Musée Réaltu, which you can visit on your own. Additionally, some of the buildings and cathedrals of Arles are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and are a wonder to behold.

From Avignon: Half-Day Van Gogh & Carrières de Lumières Tour

3. From Avignon: Half-Day Van Gogh & Carrières de Lumières Tour

Follow in the tracks of Vincent van Gogh in Provence on this 5-hour tour. Begin in Arles, a city that fascinated the artist. Then, set off to discover the city through the history of the artist during this fascinating city tour. First, visit the monumental “Carrières de Lumières” which hosts extraordinary multimedia shows, unique in the world with Dali and Gaudi. Finish with St Paul de Mausole, the famous psychiatric hospital, where Van Gogh spent 1 very creative year.

From Avignon: Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence & Alpilles Tour

4. From Avignon: Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence & Alpilles Tour

Explore the Alpilles region with the Roman city of Arles, where you will visit the Roman theatre and the Amphitheatre (entry tickets included). Walk inside the medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence, listed among the most beautiful villages of France, which was entirely built with limestone. Taste the olive oils of Moulin CastelaS and visit the mill. During the full-day tour, discover the Monastery Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, in which Van Gogh stayed some months and was inspired for his paintings. Admire the Antiques of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (a mausoleum and a triumph arch) and taste candied fruits. Love the home made picnic with fresh products from local farmers (hard-boiled eggs, anchovy & black olives paste, bell peppers paste, tapenade, goat cheese with tomato/oregano, melon, grape juice) during Full-day and Morning tours only.

From Marseille: Saint Rémy de Provence, Les Baux et Arles

5. From Marseille: Saint Rémy de Provence, Les Baux et Arles

Visit Saint Rémy de Provence, picturesque and relaxing Provencal town. Photo stop at the Roman monuments «LesAntiques». Possibility to visit the recreation of Van Gogh's bedroom in Saint-Paul de Mausole. Enjoy the weekly market on Wednesdays. Free time in Les Baux de Provence, medieval fortress located on a rocky spur in the Alpilles region. Possibility to attend the light and sound show in Carrières de Lumières (tickets on your own). Stroll in the foot steps of Van Gogh in Arles : discover the places which inspired him in his work. The city is also famous for its architectural heritage. The weekly market is on Saturday morning : Arles is definitely a must-see ! NB : On certain days, a quick drive through Aix en Provence to pick up and drop off passengers may be included.

From Avignon: Art and History in Provence

6. From Avignon: Art and History in Provence

You'll first stop at the monastery of St Paul de Mausole, near St Rémy de Provence. You will get to see the landscapes that inspired the great Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, who spent the last year of his life in the neighboring asylum. Across the road, discover two perfectly preserved Roman monuments, that were part of the ancient town of Glanum. Later, enjoy a stroll in one of the most beautiful villages in France, Les Baux de Provence, perched on a spur of rock in the heart of the Alpilles mountains, overlooking picturesque olive groves and vineyards.  Take some time for lunch in Arles, where you can choose from a wide range of restaurants, and then explore its cobbled streets, without missing its 2000-year-old amphitheater and Van Gogh's Café (painted in "Café Terrasse at Night"). End up the day with a visit to the amazing Pont du Gard (entrance fee included), the highest Roman aqueduct still standing in the world. After all this, you will then go on to enjoy a tasting of Rhone Valley wines at an organic winery (cost of wine tasting included).

Aix-en-Provence: Arles, Saint Rémy, and Les Baux Day Trip

7. Aix-en-Provence: Arles, Saint Rémy, and Les Baux Day Trip

Explore 3 stunning gems on this full day tour to Arles, listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site because of the number of Roman Monuments, the village of Saint-Rémy de Provence, where Van Gogh lived for a year and the village of Les Baux de Provence, an outstanding medieval village. Meet your English speaking local guide In the morning, we will come and pick you up at the tourism office in Aix en Provence. Meet your English speaking driver/guide who will go over the itinerary and program of the day with you. Then board your premium A/C vehicle and begin your small group tour led by a local guide. Arles Town Visit Discover the Historic city of Arles, a fortified town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Participate in a walking tour of the historic center to visit the most emblematic monuments of the town including the Amphitheater, the Antique Theater or Saint Trophime church. The Roman City & Sites The Roman Amphitheater was built at the end of the 1st Century to the North of the town. It is part of a general extension of Arles and was built at the same period of time as the baths. It is larger than the one located in Nîmes and could welcome up to 25.000 spectators. Antique Games will be held within until the fall of the Roman Empire. The building of the Antique Theatre was requested by Emperor Auguste. It could welcome up to 10.000 spectators at a time. Only part of the Theater remains but it is still one of the most well preserved in France. The Roman Forum Located at the intersection of the Cardo (north-south axis) and the Decumanus (east-west axis), the Roman Forum of Arles is made up of a great square of which only two fragments still exist. What is interesting about the Forum in Arles are the foundations as it is built on a cryptoporticus, which is a covered corridor or passageway. The cryptoporticus were known to be used as storage areas in other towns but the one in Arles is, however, too damp for prolonged storage and may have served as a barracks for public slaves. Saint-Rémy de Provence Arrive in Saint Remy de Provence, one of the prettiest villages of the area. The village is known to be a summer hot spot for chic parisians, yet it is still possible to find some quiet areas within the village, as there are many small squares scattered all over. After the visit, free time for personal discovery and lunch. For your information, there is a beautiful Provence Market on Wednesdays. Les Baux de Provence Drive to the Alpilles mountain region that is famous for its vineyards and olive trees. Reach the medieval hilltop village of les Baux-de-Provence built on a rocky spur and from where you will have a breathtaking view of the surrounding Provence Countryside. Enjoy some free time to stroll and explore the narrow streets, Art galleries and the remains of a 10th century fortress.

From Marseille: Customizable Private Day Tour of Provence

8. From Marseille: Customizable Private Day Tour of Provence

Everything is possible! We adapt to your desires. In half or full day, you can choose what pleases you the most. Marseille, the road of the Gineste, hiking in En Vau, the road of the Crêtes, Cassis and the most beautiful creeks of the National Park by boat. Aix-en-Provence, its 1000 fountains and mansions. The Sainte Victoire mountain and the Lacoste castle. Discover the Luberon: Gordes, the ochres of Roussillon, the fields of lavender and the abbey of Senanque. Fontaine de Vaucluse and the canals of the L'Isle sur Sorgue? A cooking workshop in the Halles d'Avignon, the Palais des Papes, the Côtes du Rhône wine route, Arles, Les-Baux-de-Provence, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, among others Tell us what you want, we are here to satisfy you desires.

Aix-en-Provence: Arles & Camargue National Park Private Tour

9. Aix-en-Provence: Arles & Camargue National Park Private Tour

Walking tour of the Roman city of Arles dated during the Roman empire, you can discover the roman coliseum as well as the amphitherater (you may take some time to visite those sites) Cathedral St Trophime, a roman architecture jewel Walk on the footsteps of Van Gogh where I will show you the main spot where he painted some famous paint such as Cafe Vn Gogh Discover the Region of Camargue where you can visit the ornithological park housing with hundreds of flamingos living freely This is the region for bulls and white horses. I will make sure to find them for you! You can enjoy a horseback ride on the beach thought the marsh of Camargue Visit the quaint town of Saintes Marie de la Mer with free time for lunch

Arles: Art and History Walking Tour with Private Transfers

10. Arles: Art and History Walking Tour with Private Transfers

Come and visit the beautiful city of Arles, a city of more than 2000 years of art and history. From ancient Rome to the present day, its historic center is filled with architectural treasures recognized as World Heritage by Unesco: Roman arenas, amphitheatre, Constantine's baths,. You will also discover its medieval heritage: the charming old streets, the church, the Saint Trophime cloister and their emblematic sculptures of Provençal Romanesque art. Arles is also the city of Van Gogh, the Gipsy Kings, Christian Lacroix, the Rencontres Internationales de la Photo and a large number of cultural events. You will also walk in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh at the places where he painted his world-famous works of art. In three hours, I will make you discover the riches and curiosities of this remarkable city.

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What people are saying about Arles

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 80 reviews

Our guide picked us up on time and took us to firstly Arles where vince van gogh lived most of his life and also later in St. Remy where he was in his asilum. He guided us to some of the main attractions in arles and told us many interesting facts about the history, why arles was the capital of Provence etc. We had a lot of free time also to explore the city by ourselfs afterwords. It just has an amazing vibe and you get the idea why Vincent stayed here to create his work.

Excellent guide Aurelio. Very knowledgeable about the history of the city. From Julius Caesar to Van Gogh. Very thankful.

Mark was a very knowledgeable, articular guide. The tour was very interesting. Definitely recommend it.

A very nice excursion with a very reliable and competent tour guide. Thanks very much!

Sylvia was so kind and funny and knowledgeable about Provence!