Van Gogh Walk in Arles
Arles, Provence, France[0 miles]
Follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps around Arles, the town where he painted some of his best-known works.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 1-2 hours
Best places to stay:
Located in the heart of Arles, the Nord Pinus is part of the city’s history; it even has columns from a Roman temple embedded in its facade.
The favourite of visiting bullfighters, its clients in the 1950s included Picasso, Cocteau, Hemingway and John Houston. Its public areas and rooms, furnished with antiques, are steeped with history and charm.
If there are no toreros (bullfighters) in town, ask for room No 10, the enormous bullfighter’s room, with its sublimely over-the-top mirror, chandelier, private balcony and antique bathroom.
Throw in helpful, switched-on staff, and you have a delightful choice for a luxurious, central stay.
The building overlooks the buzzing Place du Forum, with its lively cafes (including the famous Café Van Gogh) – the atmospheric bar is famous for its Cognacs, or have a pastis, with a plate of tellines (little clam-like molluscs) and anchovies, to the sound of Spanish guitars.
Outside are the evocative narrow streets of old Arles, with their bars and restaurants; the Roman amphitheatre and Saint Trophime Cathedral are a few minutes’ walk away.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Arles, Provence, France[0 miles]
Follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps around Arles, the town where he painted some of his best-known works.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 1-2 hours
Arles, Provence, France[0.3 miles]
The biggest and one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in France, where 20,000 would come to watch gladiators fight to the death.
Best for ages: 18+ | £8
Arles, Provence, France[0.3 miles]
Provence’s bloodless bullfights are one of the region’s most exciting and best-loved sports, a cultural phenomenon held in the magnificent Roman amphitheatre of Arles.
Best for ages: 8+ | £8 | 1+ hours
Arles, Provence, France[1 miles]
An archaeology museum housing a fascinating collection of sculptures, mosaics and much more from the ancient Arles region – artifacts date from prehistoric times until the 6th century AD.
Best for ages: 13+ | £5
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Arles, Provence, France[0.2 miles]
Arles is world-famous thanks to Van Gogh, but to the city’s eternal regret no one bought any of his paintings. This foundation, in the newly renovated Hotel Leautaud de Donines, is dedicated to art exhibitions inspired by the artist.
Best for ages: 18+ | £9
Arles, Provence, France[0.7 miles]
An evocative, romantic Roman burial ground – once the most famous cemetery in medieval Europe. It’s the burial site of the legendary St Trophime and the first bishops of Arles, and remains an important stop on the pilgrimage to Compostela.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Les Baux-de-Provence, Provence, France[16.8 miles]
In the stunning setting of Les Baux, learn all about Provence’s greeny-golden nectar on these free tastings of these award-winning oils. Open all year-round, but short walks through the olive groves and visits to the mill are also offered from June to September.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 2 hours
Saint-Remy-de-Provence, Provence, France[19.9 miles]
The asylum where Van Gogh spent 1888-89 is a masterpiece of Provencal Romanesque, and today specializes, appropriately, in art therapy. His room and reproductions of the paintings he made there are on display, along with temporary exhibitions.
Best for ages: 18+ | £4
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Provence, France
Gorgeous landscapes peppered with beautiful villages, sunflowers and lavender, art-filled towns, lively cultural festivals and exquisite food and wine. Provence is everything you imagined it would be.