Roman city that inspired Van Gogh
Arles greets you softly, humbly welcoming you into its enchanting tableau of Provençal idyll. This is a city of narrow streets unspooling into sun-warmed squares, of ancient ruins tucked between sweet-smelling boulangeries, and through which the winding Rhône glitters, always at the corner of your eye.
On top of its notable beauty, Arles is one of the oldest cities in France. The Romans built a vibrant urban centre here – amphitheatre, theatre, forum, baths – and much of it is still standing. Some of it is even still in use. Walk 15 minutes in any direction and you’ll stumble across 2,000 years of history.
Despite these markers of history, Arles isn’t a museum. It’s a working, breathing Provençal city with excellent markets, seriously good restaurants, and a thrumming creative pulse.
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