Amphitheatre in France - Arles in Provence

In Arles, Provence, you can find the ruins of a Roman theatre. This impressive amphitheatre in France could at one time accommodate 25,000 visitors. Arles is also home to a number of other historical monuments, as well as being a city of artists filled with charming neighbourhoods and cafés.

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Artists in Arles in Provence

Arles is a quiet and charming city, and walking around the Old Town is like travelling back in time through old houses and winding alleys. Vincent van Gogh lived and worked here for a year in the late 19th century, and many places are named after the famous artist. Even today, the city seems to be popular with artists - we saw several behind their easels during our walk through the city.

Amfiteatern i Frankrike, Arles - Provence

READ MORE: 3 things to do in Marseille, France
READ MORE: Camargue in France - land of the white horses

Amphitheatre in France, from Roman times

In the city you will also find an impressive amphitheatre and the ruins of a Roman theatre. This amphitheatre in France is really powerful and once held around 25,000 spectators. Although it has been through a lot and taken a few knocks during its 2000 years in the city centre, it is still very beautiful to see.

In the Middle Ages, it was thought that the amphitheatre could be used as a fortress. They built houses inside and directly on (!) the walls and erected three high towers. In the 19th century, extensive renovation work was carried out - and then the war came and destroyed a lot... Today the amphitheatre is used for bullfighting.

Much to see

Arles in France is of course more than just the amphitheatre, although that may be the first thing you want to see. There are also Roman burial sites, a palace from the time of Constantine, and beautiful churches and portals. There's a lot to see here, but it's also nice to just stroll around.

Amfiteater i Frankrike, Arles i Provence

Camping L'Arlesienne

We can recommend the campsite called L'Arlesienne, which is relatively central in Arles. For €16/day in low season (with ACSI discount), it includes a pool and free fast WiFi. The bus to the centre is right outside, and it's easy to get back and forth to the centre with it.

06 May 2015 19:03

France

campsite, history, Motorhome holiday France, culture, attraction, experiences in Europe

Helena

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17 Comments

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BP says:

Arles is certainly charming! Everything is probably the same since a few decades ago anyway. No novelties there not. Good, I can actually think.

What a lovely campsite you have found and what fantastic weather. Finally you seem to have more luck with sunny weather!

06 May 2015 - 20:10

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Lennart says:

We followed the Rhone River north a year ago!

Keep up the good work!

06 May 2015 - 20:56

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Lots of other stuff and some concrete says:

Seems like a cosy city!
I like the artists, but the bullfights are awful even though they seem to be more humane there.
What matching bath towels you found!
Next weekend there will be a Motorhome Fair in Norrköping!

Greetings Agneta

06 May 2015 - 21:47

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solan says:

Stay for a long time, Arles has a fantastic photography festival every year...unfortunately I think it's in September!

06 May 2015 - 22:05

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Monica says:

If you miss Les Baux de Provence and especially the limestone caves of Carierres de Lumieres, it is almost an offence??. It is about 35 minutes from you and you can advantageously pass Aix en Provence if you are now thinking of going up towards Verdon? There is a good municipal campsite there with a bus to the city centre on the doorstep. Do not miss Little Paris! Funny that you found horses and bulls, as I said, it has always escaped us!!!

06 May 2015 - 22:43

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Ditte says:

Thank you for letting me come here because I have not been to Arles. What a cosy town it seems to be, lots to see as well. Hope to see more of it.
Great pictures!

07 May 2015 - 1:03

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towe says:

It looks absolutely wonderful! Would give a lot just to lie by that pool right now 🙂 .

07 May 2015 - 6:22

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Mr Steve says:

Beautiful environments. You will find great campsites, both in terms of choice and location.

07 May 2015 - 6:27

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Ama de casa says:

What a perfect campsite as it sounds. The town looks very nice. Too bad they use the nice arena for bullfights, even if the French version is not quite as barbaric as the Spanish one, the bulls get really stressed...

07 May 2015 - 10:30

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Comment by post author

admin says:

BP, glad you recognised yourself! Nice city and nice camping!

Lennart, interesting to follow the Rhone! We will go east instead.

Agneta, I'm not fond of bullfighting either, but it seems better here anyway. Interesting with the motorhome fair!!!

Solan, haha, we don't want to stay that long...
😉

Monica, thanks for all the tips!!! We will see if we can find the limestone caves! Funny that you have not seen the white horses, there were so many, maybe it depends on which road you take?

Ditte, Arles is a charming little town... but let's move on!

Towe, the real heat has arrived. Great!

Steve, it is a bit different what we find, but here we were very happy!

Ama de casa, I'm not fond of bullfighting either, but the French version sounds better!

07 May 2015 - 11:28

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Anders and Birgitta says:

Agree with Monica, Les Baux de Provence should be visited, it's really worth seeing.

07 May 2015 - 12:54

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Role o Carina says:

Ooooh what a lovely pool you have!
Would have thrown myself in right away 🙂

Have a good time and take a bath 🙂

07 May 2015 - 19:26

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Anja says:

Aix (which someone recommended) is really nice, but how does it feel to be SO FAR FROM THE SEA? A bit empty and unwindy :-)?

07 May 2015 - 19:28

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Anders and Birgitta, nice that you have also been there! Yes it was a visit, a post will come soon!

Rolle and Carina, we've finally got some real heat... so now those things are really tempting!
🙂

Anja, haha, yes, you might ask? It's a bit empty without the sea, but luckily there are at least some rivers like the Rhone and so on...!
😉

07 May 2015 - 21:23

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Elisabeth says:

Seems like a very cosy city. Would also like some of your sun and warmth. Hs dé still good! Elisabeth

07 May 2015 - 23:15

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Inga-Lill Gustafsson says:

Arles is a beautiful city! It is said to be the oldest and warmest city in France. We usually spend the first week in July, when there is a big international photo festival there. A few years ago there was a campsite just outside the ramparts by the river where we used to stay (free). It is now gone. Since then we have stayed at a small campsite just a few km from the centre. Our favourite places in France are the small town of Apt with all the nearby villages! Keep up the good work!

08 May 2015 - 16:21

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Across the board says:

The campsite looks very nice and we have thought about Arles in about 1 month. Is it difficult to get around with a motorhome - we have one that is almost 8 metres long, do you think it will work with it, or will we be too big?

09 May 2015 - 9:49

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Amphitheatre in France - Arles in Provence

Artists in Arles in Provence

Amphitheatre in France, from Roman times

Much to see

Camping L'Arlesienne

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17 Comments

BP says:

Lennart says:

Lots of other stuff and some concrete says:

solan says:

Monica says:

Ditte says:

towe says:

Mr Steve says:

Ama de casa says:

admin says:

Anders and Birgitta says:

Role o Carina says:

Anja says:

admin says:

Elisabeth says:

Inga-Lill Gustafsson says:

Across the board says:

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