castle
Les Baux-de-Provence
A dramatic medieval fortress village crowning a rocky limestone outcrop in the Alpilles mountains.
15 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeFranceProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Arles
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France · Europe
About Arles
Arles works well as a base: 15 minutes from Fontvieille, 27km from Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue.
Arles is in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, with about 53,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Fontvieille, about 9 km away.
Arles (French: [aʁl]; Provençal: Arle [ˈaʀle]) is a coastal city and commune in southern France, a subprefecture in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in the former province of Provence.
A large part of the Camargue, the largest wetlands in France, is located within the territoryRead more
of the commune, which is the largest in Metropolitan France in terms of geographic territory. In non-metropolitan France, Maripasoula in French Guiana is the largest French commune in general.
The city has a long history, and was of considerable importance in the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. The Roman and Romanesque Monuments of Arles were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1981 for their testimony to the history of the region.
The city is famous for being the archdiocese of Caesarius of Arles and Hilary of Arles. Additionally, many artists have lived and worked in this area, including Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin and Jacques Réattu. The Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles from 1888 to 1889, and produced over 300 paintings and drawings during his time there. These are held in internationally known museums and private collections around the world. An international photography festival has been held annually in the city since 1970.
Where to Stay in Arles
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Arles?
Within an hour or so of Arles: Les Baux-de-Provence (15 km), Carrières des Lumières (16 km), Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue (27 km), Arena of Nimes (28 km).
Are there any good drives near Arles?
The nearest famous roads are Gorges de la Nesque Road, Route des Crêtes (Cassis) and Route Napoléon.
Where is Arles?
Arles is in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, about 9 km from Fontvieille.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 53,431
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- France
- Region
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Timezone
- Europe/Paris
- Coordinates
- 43.6768, 4.6303
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in France
Carrying a warning triangle and hi-vis vest in your vehicle is mandatory. Motorway emergency phones connect to official breakdown services only.
Full driving guide for FranceTags
Worth the detour from Arles
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
Carrières des Lumières
Old limestone quarries turned into a vast immersive art show projected across 14 m stone walls.
16 km · about 30 min drive
national park
Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue
A wild wetland delta of pink flamingos, white horses and black bulls between the arms of the Rhône.
27 km · about 30 min drive
ancient ruins
Arena of Nimes
One of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world, still hosting events nearly 2,000 years after its construction.
28 km · about 30 min drive
racetrack
Circuit de Ledenon
Twisting, roller-coaster circuit in the sun-baked hills near Nimes, famed as France's most technical track; a favourite of motorcyclists and track-day drivers, and one of few French circuits run anti-clockwise.
29 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Pont du Gard
Remarkably preserved three-tiered Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD in southern France.
31 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Palais des Papes
The largest Gothic palace in the world, serving as the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century.
34 km · about 40 min drive
bridge
Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon)
The famous half-bridge of the children's song, jutting into the Rhône beneath Avignon's papal ramparts.
34 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Arles
7 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- 34 kmPont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon)The famous half-bridge of the children's song, jutting into the Rhône beneath Avignon's papal ramparts.
- 68 kmGorges de la Nesque RoadA serene Provençal balcony drive (D942) winding above a 400 m-deep limestone canyon near Mont Ventoux, with the Belvédère de Castellaras as its showpiece viewpoint.
- 74 kmNotre-Dame de la Garde ViewpointMarseille's 'Bonne Mere' basilica crowns a 149 m limestone peak reachable by a winding drive, with a sweeping 360-degree panorama over the Old Port, the Frioul islands and the Calanques.
- 76 kmMont Ventoux Summit ViewpointThe 'Beast of Provence' at 1,912 metres, a barren lunar summit offering views from the Alps to the Mediterranean on clear days.
- 78 kmPlateau de Sault Lavender FieldsEndless rows of purple lavender perfume the high Vaucluse plateau every summer beneath Mont Ventoux.
Driving in France
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.85/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€10.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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