Arles from the Roman era to today

Situated on the banks of the Rhône River, Arles is a city steeped in history, boasting exceptional cultural heritage, with eight monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Since its foundation during the Roman era, it has traversed centuries, leaving an enduring mark on France’s historical and artistic landscape.

The Roman Era: A Thriving City

Founded by the Greeks and later conquered by the Romans in 46 BCE, Arles quickly became a prosperous Roman colony known as Arelate. Strategically located on a major trade route connecting Italy to Spain, the city experienced significant economic and cultural growth.

Many monuments from this flourishing era remain:

The Amphitheater (also known as the Arènes), built in the 1st century, could host up to 20,000 spectators for games and gladiator battles.
The Ancient Theater, erected during the reign of Augustus, was a venue for plays and entertainment.
The Baths of Constantine, a remarkable example of Roman thermal architecture.
The Alyscamps, a vast necropolis symbolizing the city’s spiritual importance.

Arles shares commonalities with other major Roman cities such as Nîmes and Barcelona. Like Arles, Nîmes stands out with its iconic monuments, including the Maison Carrée and the Arènes de Nîmes, reflecting Roman influence on local architecture and culture. Similarly, Barcelona retains remnants of its Roman past in the Gothic Quarter, underscoring its significance as an urban center in Roman Hispania. These cities illustrated the economic and cultural prosperity of the Roman Empire while serving as strategic crossroads.

Tours and tickets to visit Arles and Provence

The Middle Ages: A Religious and Commercial Hub

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Arles continued to play a key role as a religious and political center. The city became an influential archbishopric, marked by the construction of the magnificent Saint-Trophime Church, a masterpiece of Provençal Romanesque art, with its sculpted portal and emblematic cloister.
During this period, Arles also established itself as a commercial hub thanks to its position on the Rhône River, facilitating trade between northern and southern Europe.

From the 17th to the 19th Century: Decline and Artistic Revival

The 17th century marked a period of economic decline for Arles, but the city retained its architectural heritage.
In the 19th century, Arles experienced a revival through art. Vincent van Gogh settled in Arles in 1888, producing over 300 works that captured the region’s unique light and landscapes. This period marked a pivotal chapter in the city’s artistic reputation.

Arles Today: A Dynamic Cultural Center

Today, Arles is globally renowned for its festivals and cultural initiatives:

LUMA Arles, a state-of-the-art cultural campus inaugurated in 2021, is a museum, workshop, and innovation space unique in France. This exceptional site, designed by Frank Gehry, stands out for its bold architecture and its mission to support contemporary creation through exhibitions, artist residencies, and interdisciplinary projects.
Lee Ufan Foundation, inaugurated in 2022, is a permanent art space dedicated to the celebrated Korean artist Lee Ufan, blending minimalist installations with the historic setting of the Hôtel Vernon.
The Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie, created in 1970 by Lucien Clergue, Michel Tournier, and Jean-Maurice Rouquette, attract thousands of visitors annually.
The Vincent Van Gogh Foundation honors the artist’s legacy by showcasing modern and contemporary works inspired by his creations.

With approximately 52,000 inhabitants, Arles is today a dynamic city where the cultural sector plays a key role in the local economy. It continues to captivate artists and photographers, drawn to the unique light of its skies, immortalized by Van Gogh.

The Eight UNESCO Monuments of Arles

The Roman Amphitheater (Arènes d’Arles) – Used for performances from Roman times to today.
The Ancient Theater – A testament to entertainment during the Roman Empire.
The Baths of Constantine – A sophisticated example of thermal architecture.
The Alyscamps – A famous necropolis in use since Antiquity.
Saint-Trophime Church and Cloister – A masterpiece of Provençal Romanesque art.
The Cryptoporticus – Underground galleries dating back to the city’s Roman foundation.
The Remains of the Roman Walls – Evidence of the city’s military and architectural grandeur.
The Van Gogh Bridge – A reproduction of the wooden bridge painted by Vincent van Gogh, symbolizing the artistic inspiration Arles offers.