Visit to Arles during Jeannie and Meagan’s immersion stay in Provence

The Arles Arena

Hello, my name is Jeannie, my daughter’s name is Meagan, and we live in North Carolina, in the United States. We spent a wonderful week of immersion in Provence at Virginie’s home.

Because my daughter and I are very interested in art and culture, we mentioned this to Virginie. She therefore suggested that we discover Arles, an emblematic city of Provence with an impressive artistic and historical heritage.

Arles in Provence: a city between the Rhône, the Camargue and the Alpilles

Arles and the Rhône

Arles marks the beginning of the Rhône delta: the river runs through the city and divides it in two.It is also the largest municipality in metropolitan France in terms of surface area.

Around Arles, the landscapes are very diverse:

• to the north, the Alpilles,

• to the south, the Camargue, which stretches as far as Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer,

• to the east, the Crau plain.

This unique geographical location contributes greatly to the beauty and identity of the city.

Arles, a tourist city with exceptional heritage

The Ancient Theatre of Arles

We were truly impressed by Arles and its blend of Roman and Romanesque architecture.

Among the must-see monuments are:

• the Arles Arena,

• the Ancient Theatre of Arles,

• the Saint-Trophime Cloister,

• and the Cryptoporticoes of Arles.

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Arles’ heritage is so significant that the city is officially classified as a Town and Country of Art and History, and its monuments have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1981.

We highly recommend purchasing a monuments pass, available at the tourist office at the entrance of the city—it is much more economical than paying for each visit separately.

Arles, a major artistic center

In front of the Van Gogh Foundation

Arles is also a city of art, deeply marked by artists.

The Impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh lived there for 15 months and produced nearly 300 paintings during that time. A museum is dedicated to him: the Van Gogh Foundation, an absolutely unmissable place. Right at the entrance, a fountain made from garden hoses surprised us. It was strange, very original… and it made us smile. We even wondered, “How can someone imagine such a work of art?”

At the Foundation, we were able to see:

• 10 works by Van Gogh,

• 10 works by Picasso,

• and 10 works by Monticelli (who, despite what his name might suggest, was indeed French).

Apart from these exhibited works, very few Van Gogh paintings remain in the region. It is possible to take a guided tour, but even without one, the explanatory panels already allow you to learn a great deal.

For example, when observing Picasso’s Head of a Man with a Straw Hat, one can clearly see Van Gogh’s influence, particularly in the colors and the choice of subject.

We laughed a lot when Virginie shared her very personal opinion about Van Gogh:“What he did is okay… but I don’t like it. It depresses me.”

We also visited the Réattu Museum, dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Picasso, who visited Arles several times, donated 57 drawings to this museum.

 

In Van Gogh’s footsteps in Arles

At the Van Gogh Café in Arles

After all these visits, we slowly made our way back. And then, at the turn of a street, we discovered a mythical place: the café that Van Gogh immortalized in his painting Café Terrace at Night. Seeing this café in real life was a very powerful moment for us. In Arles, you can truly stumble upon an artistic treasure at the corner of a street.

If you love art, history, and meaningful places, Arles is a city you absolutely must not miss in Provence.

If you are planning an immersion stay in Provence, I highly recommend contacting Virginie in Provence. She will be delighted to introduce you to the landscapes, culture, gastronomy, and history of the region, while helping you naturally improve your French.