Nimes or Arles?

Center Arles is a smaller, more manageable town versus Nimes which is a larger city. I've stayed in Arles twice and got to visit Nimes for the first time earlier this year as a day trip and it was a really good place to visit.

I would choose Arles - it is walkable, has plenty of places to eat and things to see. Check that you're getting one of the direct trains to Nimes and avoid those that change in Avignon if you can.

If you can fit it into your schedule the theater in Orange is really worth a stop as Roman ruins site. Much more complicated - bus from Orange - Vaison-la-Romaine is a really great visit as well.

My $.02, have a great visit,
=Tod

Nimes is in the Provence & French Riviera RS guidebook, as is Orange and Vaison la Romaine.

Thanks Tod and CD in DC.

I think I'll stay in Arles, I'd rather be in a smaller city.

I was looking at the France guide book, I'll have to get the Provence and the French Riviera guide book.

Thanks again!

Loved Nimes for a day trip but ADORED Arles. My apt on booking.com By Gwen - le Jaurès overlooked the main street, one flight up, wonderfully decorated, steps from multiple buses, around the corner from all the sites. A fabulous place--both apt and town.

Thanks Janet! I've booked a hotel room in Arles. It's pretty central, and I'm really looking forward it!

Really enjoyed the food at Le Plaza-La Paillotte a restaurant just across from the Fondation Vincent van Gogh. It is just local traditional food but was really nice. The foundation is in an interesting building but doesn't actually have van Goghs so whether you like it depends on the visiting art collection they have.

France is not a big breakfast and early coffee country but we had an excellent cup of coffee and a small nosh for breakfast at the Hotel Spa Le Calendal near the junction between arena and the theatre on our last morning wander of town.

I had another sort of funky recommendation in the Belvédère section of town on the hill behind the theater but I can't seem to find the restaurant. I think it's at 25 Rue Prte de Laure and is an open place with big art downstairs and and an art display area upstairs. But there are tons of places to eat and little plazas surrounded by restaurants all over.

Enjoy,
=Tod

Thanks for the tips, Tod!

If you choose Arles, consider the Hôtel Amphithéâtre. We stayed there a while ago but enjoyed a very spacious room and convenient location. Staff were helpful. They offered a nice deal for parking in a nearby municipal garage. We’re not breakfast eaters and don’t like to spend $$ for a roll and juice so were quite happy to be able to negotiate just coffee. Maybe not a big deal for others but it made our day. Safe travels.

Denny, we already booked La Muette Hotel, but thanks for taking the time to let us know about a good possibility! All tips and advice are appreciated.

I only realized you had booked after posting. I hope you enjoy your stay. Please come back and let us know. Have a great time in beautiful Arles and the region. Safe travels!

Nîmes or Arles?

I see you've already made your choice, but for future visitors who may stumble across this thread I would absolutely recommend Nîmes over Arles. Both are worth a visit, but I've visited many places in France and many with Roman relics, and I'd pick Nîmes over Arles without hesitation. There's more to see and the quality of the sites is better in Nîmes than in Arles. On my next visit to the area, Nîmes is an absolute yes and Arles is a, well, maybe, if I have time.

Oh, one more tip on Nimes. If you visit the Jardins de la Fontaine it would be easy to miss the Temple of Diana ruin in the corner of the park. You can just walk up into it and explore what's left and take pictures of the graffiti carved into the columns from the 1700s.
Also look for the plan that shows how closely the current layout is a copy of the Roman layout of the original space.

Enjoy,
-Tod

Thanks Bob and Todd!

I used Arles as my base in Provence and was happy with the choice. It's convenient to that part of Provence with a rental car (at the time, free parking along the river) and has quite a few quality sights for a relatively small town. My only problem was the market blocked at least a mile of the main ring road and my GPS was dead set on sending me through there.