Arles is a city located on the Rhone River in the Provence region of southern France. Popular for inspiring Van Gogh’s paintings, it influenced the contemporary art works exhibited at the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh.

Arles was the provincial capital of ancient Rome, so it is also notable for the ruins of that time, including the amphitheater, where plays, concerts and bullfights are now held.

Heir to the seal of the 12th century consuls, the Lion of Arles, this city is anchored in history but also expresses a deliberately contemporary and attractive image. AB IRA LEONIS is the Latin motto that means “For the fury of the lion”. The mention of the World Heritage Site allows this prestigious distinction from UNESCO to be disseminated in all communications in the city.

This southern city, in the region of Provence, is perhaps one of the most eclectic and dynamic cities in the whole of France, due to the fact that a large part of it is, almost by chance, as attractive as the opposite as mentioned at the beginning: the majestic Roman civil engineering works and the delicate impressionist colouring shown in each work by Vincent Van Gogh.

Between impressionist art and ancient Roman culture

Between this master of impressionism and the former Roman dictator Julius Caesar there is a separation of more than 19 centuries, but only a few hundred meters, or a few minutes walk in what each one left represented here.

This can be seen in the old town of Arles, since as soon as you leave a masterpiece by Van Gogh you enter the classical Rome of the first century BC. It is important to point out that the “Conqueror of Gaul” himself gave the city its status as a Roman colony.

Therefore, if on your next vacation you have decided to look for a destination full of history and art, nothing like visiting Arles, one of the jewels of southern France, being a perfect and unforgettable destination.

This is not only because of its eclectic heritage or the richness of its vestiges, but also because of the warmth of its people, Mediterranean, simple and hospitable, its Provencal cuisine or the beauty of its natural environment, with the mouth of the Rhone and the Camargue natural park just a few kilometres from the Place du Forum, where we begin our walk.

For a perfect accommodation and consonant with the atmosphere of the city nothing like choosing any of the best boutique hotels in Arles With pleasant atmospheres and what is necessary to be comfortable and well attended, these accommodations will be another of the advantages of enjoying the Vella Arles. Being a guest in this city will make you feel like you are travelling back in time to the history that marked a milestone in the cultural life of Europe.