Museum of Ancient Arles

Ultra-modern, triangular architecture of the Musée de l'Arles Antique.

Classical marble sculpture of Aphrodite.

The 4th-century "Sarcophagus of the Spouses."

Adam and Eve on the Sarcophagus of the Spouses.

Detail of Cupid and Psyche on the Psyche Sarcophagus.

Greek inscription.

Roman mosaic of Europa and the Bull.

View of museum in the Late Antique section, with sarcophagi on the left.

Head of the Persian-Roman god Mithras.

Ring with Christogram, made of bone, 5th century.

Roman religious figurines.

Entrance hall and ticket desk of the Museum of Ancient Arles.

The sleek, modern Musée de l'Arles Antique (Museum of Ancient Arles), is outside the city center of Arles but well worth the walk for those interested in ancient history. For those with cars, it is exceptionally handy; located right by the freeway and with its own spacious car park.

History

The Musée de l'Arles Antique opened in 1995, replacing and combining the collections of the former Museum of Christian Art and Museum of Pagan Art. The museum's unusual, ultra-modern triangular structure was designed by Henri Ciriani on the site of Arles' enormous Roman circus.

What to See

The museum evokes Arles at the peak of its importance. It encompasses models of ancient monuments, objects from daily life in Roman times, and a variety of religious art ranging from the prehistoric period to the 6th century AD.

Among the displays are one of the world's most famous collections of 4th-century Roman Christian sarcophagi as well as sculptures, mosaics, jewelry and inscriptions. Eleven detailed models show ancient monuments of the region as they existed in the past.

Many of the Christian sarcophagi are from the necropolis of the Alyscamps and the early Christian burial place of St. Genest in the modern suburb of Trinquetaille. Mostly dating from the 4th century AD, the sarcophagi are richly decorated with some of the earliest surviving Christian sculpture, depicting a combination of scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

Sarcophagus of the Spouses

One of the finest sarcophagi in the Museum of Ancient Arles is that known as the Sarcophagus of the Spouses (Sarcophage des epoux) or Trinity Sarcophagus (Sarcophagus de La Trinite), dating from the early 4th century. It was found in 1974 at Trinquetaille, still sealed, with the remains of a woman around age 50 and a man around 60 with war wounds. The elaborately carved Early Christian sarcophagus depicts the following scenes, all associated with salvation:

Three Hebrews in the Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3:1-23)
Sacrifice of Abraham (Genesis 22:9-10)
Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-7)
Healing of the Crippled Woman (Luke 13:10-17)
Moses Receiving the Law (Exodus 24:12)
Offerings of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16)
Presentation of Two Persons
Healing of the Paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26)
Portrait of the Deceased Couple (central medallion)
Healing of the Man Born Blind (John 9:5-7)
Healing of the Bleeding Woman (Matthew 9:20-22)
Prediction of Peter's Denial (Matthew 26:34)
Adoration of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-11)
Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12)
Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes (Matthew 15:36-37)
Baptism of Cornelius and the Miraculous Fountain (Acts 10:25)
Peter Preaching from a Rock Throne (Acts 2:14)

Quick Facts

Site Information

Names:	Museum of Ancient Arles; Musée de l'Arles Antique; Musée de l'Arles et de la Provence Antique;
Location:	Arles, Provence, France
Category:	Museums
Faith:	Museum
Date:	1995
Architect:	Henri Ciriani
Architecture:	Modern
Features:	Roman Mosaics

Visitor Information

Coordinates:	43.67259° N, 4.616404° E (view on Google Maps)
Address:	Rue du Cirque Romain, 13200 Arles, France
Phone:	04-90-18-88-88
Website:	www.arles-antique.cg13.fr
E-mail:	info.mapa@cg13.fr
Hours:	Feb 11-Nov 1: daily 9am-7pm Nov 2-Feb 10: daily 10am-5pm
Cost:	€5.50 adults; free under 18; free on first Sunday of the month
Photography:	Permitted with no flash. Artifacts are well-lit.
Facilities:	Toilets; vending machines; bookshop; somewhat feeble air-conditioning; disabled access.
Parking:	Large, free parking lot at the museum.

Note: This information was accurate when published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

Travel Resources

Arles Map - our detailed interactive map of Arles, plus hand-picked links to more
Arles Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Arles
Arles Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
Arles Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
Arles Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
Arles Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Arles tourism

Location Map

Below is a location map and aerial view of Museum of Ancient Arles. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Arles Map.

Article Sources

Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:

Personal visit (June 29, 2008).
Official website

Article last updated: 10/26/2009.