Beautiful Arles, a city of art in the heart of the Camargue

When we mention Arles, you probably think of its amphitheatre or Vincent Van Gogh? This wonderful city in the midst of the Camargue is certainly a great place to visit when you stay at our campsite in the Gard.

Arles, an ancient town

If you are on holiday in the Gard and Provence, a stopover in Arles is a must. This town in the Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur region boasts significant cultural and historic heritage, confirmed by its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

This heritage has been shaped over centuries. First by the Celts, Greeks and Romans, who succeeded one another here, leaving some amazing remains. Some of these sites still stand today and draw thousands of visitors:

• The Ancient Theatre, built at the end of the 1^st century, where statues were unearthed and are now on display in the Departmental Museum of Ancient Arles. This theatre is still used today for various shows and festivals in summer.
• The Roman amphitheatre, dating from the same era. Once used for games, gladiator fights and various performances, the monument now serves for the Camargue bull races and fights.
• The baths of Constantine, the cryptoporticus (underground passageways) of the Forum or the ancient Roman necropolis, the “Alyscamps”

A city sketched and painted by the greats

Arles also owns its reputation to its visitors and the great painters of modern art. Its history and Provençal setting inspired famous names such as Gauguin, Picasso and Van Gogh. Hundreds of masterpieces were painted by Van Gogh during his time in Arles, such as Les Alyscamps, a pair of paintings inspired by the eponymous ruins mentioned above.

As a tribute to this illustrious artist, a Van Gogh space has been created within the walls of the former Hôtel-Dieu hospital where he was treated, as well as the Van Gogh Foundation, which was set up to promote his history and contemporary art.

So, join these painters and let yourself be inspired by the light and architecture of the South of France, with a day out in this town in the Camargue and Provence.