Arles

Roman arena (public domain); cloister of St-Trophime ( GFDL).

Arles (pronounced "Arle") is an ancient city in the south of France, in the Bouches-du-Rhône département. It is located 35km (22 miles) southwest of Arles and 89km (55 miles) northwest of Marseille.

Arles has been called "the soul of Provence," and art lovers, archaeologists, and historians are all attracted to this town on the Rhône. Many of the scenes painted so luminously by van Gogh remain to delight. The great Dutch painter left Paris for Arles in 1888, and he painted some of his most celebrated works in this Provençal town.

The Greeks founded Arles in the 6th century BC, and Julius Caesar established a Roman colony here in 46 BC. Under Roman rule, Arles prospered. Constantine the Great named Arles the second capital in his empire in AD 306, when it was known as "the little Rome of the Gauls." It wasn't until 1481 that Arles was incorporated into France. Arles' first-rate museums, ancient Roman sites, Romanesque churches, excellent restaurants, and summer festivals (such as the early June international photography festival) continue to draw many visitors.

	Arles Map A detailed, interactive city map of Arles.
	Arles Tours & Excursions Book a sightseeing tour in Arles or a day trip out in Provence.
	Arles Hotel Map Find an Arles hotel on a map at Venere.com.
	Arles Hotel Reviews Read unbiased reviews and compare prices on hotels in Arles.
	Arles Travel Forum Get travel advice and insider tips on Arles from fellow travelers.
	Arles Car Rentals Explore Arles and anywhere else the road takes you with the freedom of a rental car.

	Église St-Trophime A Romanesque church notable for its beautifully carved portal of the Last Judgment and its interesting cloisters.
	Museum of Ancient Arles This modern museum holds a huge collection of 4th-century Roman Christian sarcophagi as well as artifacts from the Augustinian period to the 6th century AD.
	Museum of Christian Art Housed in a former Jesuit college, this museum contains a large collection of early Christian sarcophagi.

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