Arles Old Town: From Roman Ruins to Van Gogh's Inspiration - Half-Day Private Excursion
4.4
7 Ratings
Arles
Immerse yourself in the rich history and artistic inspiration of Arles Old Town. Explore Roman ruins, visit Van Gogh's favorite spots, and experience the charming Provençal ambience.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Theatre Antique - The Roman Theatre of Arles, declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, preceded its famous neighbour the amphitheatre by a century, and is less well preserved. Constructed at the end of the 1st century BC, it dates from the first phase of urbanisation of the Roman colony founded by Caesar in 46 BC. It was built on the L’Hauture hill and was part of the Roman grid system, on the decumanus (East-West road). Fortified in the Middle Ages and lost to encroaching construction work; its material was often reused for neighbouring buildings. Even the original function of the monument is unknown.

This function was rediscovered in the late 17th century and its origin was confirmed over the following centuries thanks to a number of archaeological finds excavated from the ground, including the famous ‘Venus of Arles’. It was not until the 19th century that the site was completely cleared.

What's Included
  • Admission to key historic Roman sites.
  • Access to the iconic Cloître Saint-Trophime.
  • Complimentary tea and coffee.
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Tour Overview - Arles’ Traditional Old Town

Immerse yourself in the remarkable sights of Arles, a charming town replete with a story that traces back to its Greek origins. Established as one of the vital territories of the Roman colony by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, Arles is a city that brims with time-worn ruins such as the Amphithéâtre d’Arènes, Cloisters of Saint-Trophime, Roman Theatre, Thermes de Constantin, and Musée Réattu. The town exudes a tranquil Provençal atmosphere, enveloped by leafy plazas and a relaxing way of life.

Key Points

Explore the ancient town of Arles and visit the distinguished Théâtre antique d’Arles along with a guided tour of Amphithéâtre d’Arènes. Get absorbed in the elegant ambience of the town’s various plazas, age-old buildings and exclusive architecture. Stop at the terraces and cafes that served as inspiration for Van Gogh. Experience the lively sensation and follow the Van Gogh trail to view the settings of some of his renowned paintings.

Location
Place de la République
We meet you in front of the Roman column & fountain in the middle of the square opposite the main entrance to Hôtel de Ville (city hall)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(7 Ratings)
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1 star
Travelling_sunrays
Aug 31, 2021
Excellent historical overview - We had a wonderful half-day private tour of Arles with Christopher from OohProvence. He showed us, and described the history of, the major sights in the city and also some of the off-the-beaten-track side streets of this charming town. He is personable as well as very knowledgeable, and the tour felt more like connecting with a very well-informed friend. In addition, Christopher went out of his way to email some travel tips for other parts of our journey that weren't related to this tour which was much appreciated. I highly recommend OohProvence!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nwulfekuhle
May 29, 2023
Nice place - Average tour - Nice walk through Arles. we stayed after the walk to see other sites that were not included and were glad we did. The formal tour is minimal, at best.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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minimum 2 guests
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up to 6 guests
2 Adult
June 2024
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