Arles
Roman ruins, Van Gogh's years in town and the Camargue wetlands nearby make Arles a strong stop in Provence for history and art.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Arles is a subprefecture in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Much of the Camargue, France's largest wetland, lies within the commune, and the Rhône splits into two branches just upstream of the city. In the city center, the Roman Theatre, the arena, the Alyscamps necropolis and the Thermae of Constantine sit alongside the Romanesque Church of St. Trophime. Together they have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1981.
Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles from February 1888 to May 1889 and produced more than 300 paintings and drawings there. The former Old Arles hospital courtyard, now Espace Van Gogh, is a center for his work, and the LUMA Arles arts center, built around a 56-meter tower, adds contemporary art. The Rencontres d'Arles photography festival has been held every year since 1970. Gare d'Arles links the city by rail to Avignon, Nîmes and Marseille. Summers average 22 to 24 °C, winters are mild at about 7 °C, and the mistral can bring cold, windy days and sudden severe frosts, mostly in winter.
Arles in five
- Buy one monument ticket, check the optionsArles has several Roman monuments and museums that share ticket options. Check the official site for current combinations and opening hours before you pay at the gate.
- Go on Saturday for the marketA big Saturday market runs along the Boulevard des Lices, and the old town fills with stalls. Arrive by 9am, and book a lunch table on market days.
- Use the train, not a car, from AvignonRegional trains run between Avignon and Arles in about 20–30 minutes. A car is only useful for the Camargue and the Alpilles.Avignon
- Visit the Rencontres in July and AugustThe photography festival fills galleries and hotels from early summer. Book rooms early, and check the festival's official dates and ticket options.Tourist taxes in Europe
- Add the Camargue by tour or bikeThe wetland reserve is 40 minutes by car, with white horses, flamingos and rice fields. A guided half day saves the driving; spring and autumn avoid peak heat.Camargue
Things to do in Arles
See all attractions in Arles
Need to know
- Airport
- Marseille Provence (MRS), about 1 hr by road
- Getting there
- TGV to Avignon or Nîmes, then regional train; a few direct TGVs
- Getting around
- Walking in the old town; car or tour for the Camargue
- Best base
- Old town near the arena and the Rhône
- Time needed
- 1 day from Avignon; 2 with the Camargue
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Mild, mistralJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, mistral
- FebruaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Quiet, coolFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cool
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Spring startsMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Terraces openAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Terraces open
- MayClear9 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Warm, greenMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Hot startsJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot starts
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh32°Low21°Photo festivalJulyClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Photo festival
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low20°Very hotAugustClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Warm, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Mild, quieterOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Cool, rainNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rain
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Mild, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
Average daily high and low in Arles, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Arles
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 63%
- Wind
- 26 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Arles
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°7°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue15°6°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed11°8°70%Wednesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Thu16°9°63%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Fri12°8°66%Friday: Rain. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 66%.
- Sat15°6°17%Saturday: Rain. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 17%.
- Sun15°11°39%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 39%.
Updated 07:16 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–JulAix-en-Provence FestivalAix-en-Provence, a day trip
- JulFestival d'AvignonAvignon, a day trip
- Jul–AugChorégies d'OrangeAvignon, a day trip
Before you go to Arles
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Arles, checked
- France is in the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the France-Visas portal before you fly.Source
- In the Camargue, do not feed or approach wild horses or bulls. Stay on marked paths and follow the signs at nature sites.
- Smoking is banned in indoor public places across France. Check the current rules on service-public.fr.
Plan around Arles
Regions and rules for first-time visitors
Read the guideAvignonThe papal city, 20–30 minutes by train
Read the guideCamargueWetlands, flamingos and white horses
Read the guideNîmesRoman amphitheater and Maison Carrée
Read the guideProvence travel guideHill towns, markets and lavender
Read the guideArles FAQ
Is Arles worth visiting?
Yes for Roman monuments, Van Gogh history and a lively old town. It is small, so one night or a long day works, and a Camargue trip adds a second day.
Can you visit Arles as a day trip from Avignon?
Yes. The regional train takes about 20–30 minutes, so you can see the arena, the old town and a market before an evening return.
How many days do you need in Arles?
One day covers the monuments and the old town. Two days adds the Camargue or the Rencontres photography exhibitions.
Is Arles or Avignon better?
Arles for Roman sites, Van Gogh and a village feel. Avignon for the papal palace and rail connections. Many trips include both.
When is the best time to visit Arles?
April, May, September and October for mild weather and fewer crowds. July brings the photography festival and heat, and winter days are quiet with a cold mistral wind.