Hello
We are in Arles and the list of things to do is overwhelming ! We are looking for a combination of history , nature and of course food!
We have 3.5 days
Thanks Karen
Posted by
Surrey, UK
404 posts
I'd put the Pont du Gard (Roman aqueduct) near the top of the list
Posted by
1177 posts
Well, if you love food then try to hit any market day you can find. Arles’ is one of the biggest, though not necessarily the bestest. They all have their own personality.
The Roman Theatre in Orange doesn’t come up much, as I think it’s a bit more north than people tend to go, but it’s pretty spectacular. I also rank the Roman ruins in Vaison-la-Romaine quite highly, and its old town is really something. Terrific market there too.
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2221 posts
I loved just walking around, seeing the Roman ruins and Van Gogh sites, especially the placards that show you this was a site of one of his paintings. The Museum of Ancient Art of Arles & Provence has beautiful mosaics and statues from the Roman era.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1268 posts
Pont du Gard. One of the most amazing things you'll ever see.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia
199 posts
You need to go to the asylum at St-Rémy. There you can see the groves of olive trees Van Gogh painted (at least I think those are the ones) as well as the view of the valley which was the backdrop for Starry Night.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1483 posts
If you have a car Les Baux is interesting to visit - cool mountain setting destroyed castle and art show - currently Monet - in the old marble mine.
Nimes is close and an interesting larger city but watch that the trains are direct and not going through Avignon.
The mentioned theater at Orange is great and for even more Roman ruins Vaison-al-Romaine is great but is car only or a bus from Orange. The market day in Vaison-al-Romaine (Tuesday I THINK) was a great experience.
Had really good meal at Restaurant Le Plaza-La Paillotte near the van Gogh institute on the advice of our hotelier.
Arles is very blue collar for Provence but I really like it, enjoy!
=Tod
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1483 posts
You did mention Provence as a base for Provence:
- Avignon is a pretty city with small plazas with restaurants everywhere, shopping streets made of marble and good constant Les Halles market of fine food and food products. Easily reachable in 21 minutes on the train from Arles at Avignon Center for the train. It is prettier than Arles but has not "charmed" me despite its charms. (Rick says you're an Arles person or Avignon person so I guess I'm in the Arles camp.)
- Saint Remy (technically Saint-Rémy-de-Provence) does charm me as a little, upscale but still Provencial town and offers the van Gogh asylum, Gallo-Roman ruins at Glanum. It is reachable by bus and the other attractions via "uninteresting walk" from town or easy couple of minutes with a car. Market day in St Remy (Wednesday I THINK) is a busy, busy place but has beautiful produce and food products.
I know you have more than you can do in your time there but commit to your choices and enjoy,
=Tod
Posted by
Denver, CO
831 posts
If you are going to be visiting the sights in Arles itself, you could consider the Pass Advantage which you purchase from the tourist office. It's €19 and allows free entry to most sights in Arles. I thought it was very worthwhile - it allowed me to pop into a musuem/monument that I may not have otherwise visitied. I found Arles incredibly charming! Enjoy your visit.
Posted by
Oregon
395 posts