Arles
Description of Arles
Arles , 3rd city of the Bouches du Rhône and
largest town in France, is above all a city of art and history and
classified by UNESCO as World Heritage of Humanity. Because of its
geographical position, Arles was a cultural crossroads. It has
always been open to Mediterranean cultures in all areas of creation:
music, photography, literature. Arles is also the city of Gipsy
Kings, Chico and Gypsies, Christian Lacroix, Yvan Audouard,
photographer Lucien Clergue, the Rencontres d'Arles, the world's
first meeting of photo enthusiasts, Editions Actes Sud and Harmonia
Mundi: an inspired city where authors, creators and artists are at
home.
Its old center and all its Roman and Roman monuments (the
amphitheater, the ancient theater, the cryptoportiques of the forum,
the baths of Constantine, the Alyscamps, the church and the cloister
of Saint Trophime, the Town Hall, the mansions) are classified since
1981 at the World Heritage of the humanity by UNESCO. Virtual tours
of the city's monuments, with the comments of a guide, are available
on the site of the Tourist Office of the city of Arles.
Travel Destinations in Arles
Les Arénes (Arènes d'Arles) (Arles)
Open: 9am- 7pm
Entrance Fee:
Les Arènes is an Ancient Roman Amphitheater that was constructed in 90 AD. It could seat over 20,000 spectators that at the time was most of the city. In the ancient times it was used for brutal hand to hand combat between gladiators as well as animals. Many criminals were also executed on the sand of the arena. Later it was also used for chariot races. Today it still draws large crowds to watch plays and concerts. Additionally it is a site for bullfighting that is held here.
After Roman Empire accepted Christianity as its legal legion the gladiator fights have stopped. The amphitheater was turned into a fortress. Four tower that are situated on four sides were constructed during medieval period. Additionally two chapels and over 200 houses were build within the enclosing. Only in 1825 restoration of the Ancient Roman building have began after initiative of the writer Prosper Merimee. Later houses were turned along with most of the buildings that were constructed in the later time period. Just five years later in 1830 the first event for centuries was held here to celebrate invasion and subsequent conquest of Algiers in the North Africa.
Palais Constantine (Arles)
Location: rue du Grand Prieure
Open: 9am- 12pm, 2- 7pm
Entrance Fee:
Roman baths is all that remains of the former palace of Roman emperor Constantine (4th century AD).
Église Saint Trophime (Arles)Location: place de la Republique City Centre This medieval Romanesque church was constructed in the late 11th century. It was dedicated to the 2nd century Saint Trophime, the bishop of Arles. His remains are kept inside the treasure. Théatre Antique (Arles)Location: des Lices City Centre Open: 9am- 7pm Tel. 04 9096 9330 Entrance Fee:
Museon Arlaten (Arles)Location: 29 rue de la Republique City Centre Tel. 04 9093 5811 Entrance Fee: |
Place de la République (Arles)Hôtel de Ville (Arles)Location: place de la Republique Musee de l'Arles et de la Provence Antiques (Arles)Open: 9am- 7pm Wed- Mon Entrance Fee: Les Alyscamps (Arles)Location: South of City Centre Open: 9am- 7pm Entrance Fee:
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Musée Réattu (Arles)
Location: 10 rue du Grand Prieure
Open: 10am- 12:30pm, 2- 6:30pm Tue- Sun
Tel. 04 9049 3758
Entrance Fee: