Parking in Arles

When we were there in Arles, there was a lot of parking around the perimeter of the city/town center. easy walking distance to the center. ITs not the easiest to park there but they have parking

Everything you need to know about parking in Arles:

https://arles.fr/vivre-a-arles/se-deplacer/en-voiture/se-garer-a-arles/ou-se-garer/

Use an online translator; the Arles website is only available in French.

Arles parking map:

https://webcarto.agglo-accm.fr/adws/app/30a741ba-fcfa-11e6-ba7b-112e662eee4e/index.html?context=7HpY

Thank you both!

years ago we arrived with reservations on the day it turned out was their annual festival including running of the bulls -- not only did our hotel have no parking (they advertised it but I didn't realize I would need to have reserved it and probably usually you don't need to) but the town was full of blocked streets and people parked on every available berm or traffic island. We ended up driving about a mile out of the city when luckily someone pulled out of a space and we took it and walked the mile back to the hotel. I don't know what we would have done if our luck had no given us that spot. May and June doesn't sound like off season to me. Any chance of booking a parking spot in a garage in the city?

Parking in a lot of medium to large French cities is very difficult. We were in Carcasonne. Our rental was near underground and surface lots. The underground lots were often filled. The surface lots were filled during the day, but spaces opened between 5-7PM. In Carcasonne, you needed to pay 8-12Noon, and 2-6. Otherwise spots were free. This schedule is the same in many cities. Not in Angers, where pay hours were longer.

We don't have enough information to answer. There are a lot more factors to consider.

How far outside the city center is the place with the dedicated parking space? You will be walking outside the center to and from your car if you take an apartment inside the center. JoLui's parking map shows nothing close to the historic center.
Car traffic is limited inside the ring road. Historic centers are mostly pedestrian. Only the most recent garages have spaces that have easy parking. Most garage spaces are so tight that you have to back into them. My space that I own here in the south of France is very difficult.

If I were looking, and if the rental outside the historic center were a kilometer or 1.5k, that would be my choice. I wouldn't want to have to spend time searching for a space every evening when returning to Arles. If I'm responsible for car damage, I want to know where my car will be at night. How large is the space at the rental? Is it behind a secure gate? How far is the rental from the center?

These answers would influence my choice one way or the other.

I haven't driven in Arles since the last century, but even then parking wasn't easy. I've been to Arles three times recently but always by train or bus.

I find the owner's response, "public parking is close by," a bit brief.

Although I'm not an expert on parking in Arles, I assume they mean the "Parking du Centre" since the VRBO is in the old town. If that's the case, this is the one: (a photo shows the 2025 rates)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/CqaHW1Jw5EnMFoad8

As Elizabeth said, and as other replies have mentioned, you have to take into account the local context, the time of year, possible events, and many other factors. Also, beware of "false luck" with street parking spaces that seem too easily available. Double-check the signs.

There's the typical example of an entire area usually used for parking spaces that will be occupied by a market one or two mornings a week. No one parks there the night before, except those who can leave their parking space before 6:00 AM. After that time, all remaining vehicles are towed.

I did not have a car or look for parking in Arles, but I did happen to notice that there seemed to be both street parking and garages very near the train station. A quick (but not fact checked) google search seems to show that I am correct. I stayed on Rue de l'Amphitheatre about half a block from the arena and it took me about 15 minutes to walk to the train station which I did several times. Hope this might help.

Elizabeth's point is well taken as well -- I'd like a picture of that parking spot. We once had a space in Strasbourg that was absolutely terrifying -- underground with very low ceiling - sort of cellar like-- with tiny tiny tiny space -- it was a nightmare to try to maneuver that stick shift car into it. At a place we rented in St. Malo the space designated for our apartment was a similar nightmare -- we weren't driving - but when I saw our space I was grateful not to have to try to make that work -- tiny courtyard, narrow entrance and at least one more car space than any sensible person would have drawn.

You should avoid driving in the central old core of Arles - many confusing narrow one-way streets. Do yourself a favor and park in the Parking du Centre parking garage (on Boul de Lices) and then walk to your VRBO or whatever accommodation. The relatively safe and secure parking is also good for peace of mind. We stayed at Hotel La Muette and it was a pleasant walk to/from the garage.

IMO “Public Parking nearby” is insufficient information. Especially when considering a rental in a fairly large village.

Do you really want to walk a mile from your vehicle to your rental when returning from a long day of exploring?

I would look for an alternate rental that includes onsite parking. Be sure to contact the house manager to verify the size of the parking spot will accommodate your vehicle.

Have you considered renting in a small village outside of Arles? We will be renting in Maussane les Alpilles for three weeks next month and plan on visiting Arles.

Maussane is about 30 minutes outside of Arles, no parking hassles, lots of restaurants, cafes and services. While this may be too far from Arles for you, there are lots of small village options out there. I’d like to see you reduce your parking angst.