Things to do in Arles – Roman remains and van Gogh in Provence

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: September 2026 | Arles in the south of France is a city where history is in the middle of everyday life. Here you can stroll between Roman remains, medieval alleys and places associated with Vincent van Gogh. We were particularly captivated by the mighty Roman arena, but also by the atmosphere of the old city center.

Arles in Provence

Arles is located on the Rhône River in Provence in southern France. The city has a long history and was an important city in Roman Gaul during Roman times.

The traces of the Romans are still very much evident. Amidst today's houses and streets, there is an amphitheater, an ancient theater, Roman baths and other historical remains. Together with several buildings from the Middle Ages, the most important monuments in Arles are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

But Arles is not just history. As we walked around, we were met with old houses, winding alleys, cafes and artists standing behind their easels.

Things to do in Arles – our best tips

Here are some of the top things to see and do in Arles.

1. See the Roman Arena in Arles

The great Roman arena, Arles Arena, is hard to miss. The amphitheater was built during Roman times and is still an impressive structure in the middle of the city. In ancient times, large crowds of spectators gathered here to watch gladiatorial games and other spectacles.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the arena took on completely different functions. During the Middle Ages, it was transformed into a fortified part of the city. Towers were built and inside the arena itself, a small residential area grew up. In the 19th century, the houses began to be removed and the arena was restored to be used for events again.

It was this building that made the biggest impression on us during our visit. It's pretty cool that an almost 2,000-year-old arena still stands in the middle of a living city.

2. Discover the Roman Theater

Not far from the arena is the Théâtre Antique, the Roman theater. It is easy to confuse the two buildings, but they are actually two different facilities. The arena was used for large public spectacles, while the theater was built for theatrical performances.

Today, parts of the stage area, columns and seating remain. Together with the arena, the theater is one of the oldest Roman remains in Arles.

3. Stroll through the old town

You don't have to go from attraction to attraction to appreciate Arles. We really enjoyed just walking through the historic city center. There are small streets and alleys, old stone houses, squares and cafes.

When we were here, we saw several artists standing outside painting behind their easels. It somehow felt fitting in a city that has become so strongly associated with one of the world's most famous artists.

4. Follow in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh came to Arles in 1888 and stayed for just over a year. The period was short but very productive, and here he created some of his most famous paintings.

The motifs were taken from the city and the surrounding landscape. Anyone interested in van Gogh can follow his footsteps to various places that appear in his art.

Even without following a specific van Gogh route, you can still feel his presence in Arles. His name and art appear in many places, contributing to the city's identity as a city of art.

5. See Place de la République and Saint-Trophime

One of the central squares in old Arles is the Place de la République. Here, among other things, is the church of Saint-Trophime with its elaborate Romanesque portal. The church and its cloister are some of the most important medieval buildings in Arles and are included, together with the Roman monuments, in the World Heritage List.

The square is also a good starting point for continuing to discover the historic city center on foot.

6. Visit Alyscamps

Alyscamps is a large ancient necropolis just outside the very center of Arles. The burial ground was used during Roman times and continued to be important during the early Christian period and the Middle Ages. Along the area are ancient sarcophagi and remains that testify to Arles' long history. Vincent van Gogh also painted motifs from Alyscamps during his time in the city.

7. See Constantine's terms

The Thermes de Constantin are the remains of a large Roman bath complex from late antiquity. Bathing was an important part of life in Roman cities and here you can still see parts of the structures that were once part of the complex.

8. Learn more about the Roman era at a museum

For those who want to delve further into the city's ancient history, there is the Musée départemental Arles antique. The museum collects archaeological finds from Arles and the surrounding area and can be a good complement to the monuments you see in the city.

We did not visit the museum itself during our visit, but for those interested in history there is considerably more to discover than what we managed to see.

Arles by motorhome

When we visited Arles by camper van, we stayed at Camping L'Arlésienne just outside the city center. The campsite is still there and offers both camping pitches and other types of accommodation. It has a swimming pool, restaurant and wifi, among other things.

For us, the campsite worked well as a base to discover Arles. We were able to leave our campervan at the campsite and walk into the centre to explore the sights. Our visit was in 2015, so of course check current prices, transport and conditions directly with the campsite before visiting.

Excursion from Arles – Camargue and the white horses

South of Arles, the Camargue spreads out into the Rhône Delta. The landscape consists of wetlands, lagoons, pastures and salt flats and is known for its special wildlife. The Camargue is primarily associated with three animals: the white Camargue horses, the black bulls and the pink flamingos.

We won't pretend that we did any extensive expedition in the Camargue. We simply drove through the area on our way to Arles. But we did see horses!

We saw the white horses up close and in several places. We also saw the black bulls, although from such a distance that the camera's zoom had to work properly. The flamingos, on the other hand, were conspicuous by their absence.

Those who want to experience more of the Camargue can set aside a day or longer for the area. There are opportunities to discover the wetlands, look for birds and see more of the distinctive landscape. For us this time it was above all a beautiful journey through with many white horses. And sometimes that is enough.

Is Arles worth a visit?

Yes, especially if you like history, art and cities that don't feel like museums even though they are full of historical monuments. We remember of course the great Roman arena, but also the walk through the old town and the artists behind their easels.

It is precisely this combination that makes Arles interesting. Roman remains stand in the middle of today's city, medieval alleys lead on to cafes and restaurants and above all the story of Vincent van Gogh hovers. And if you continue outside the city, the Camargue awaits, with its white horses. However, we still cannot guarantee flamingos.

More to see in the neighbourhood

Want to continue your trip in France? Here are more tips for places to visit near Arles:

• Things to do in Sete
• Things to do in Marseille