Arles
Not just a beautiful town but also a great base for visiting the Alpilles or the Camargue. Arles is also a city big on tradition, with plenty of festivals for all the family.
- ACTIVITIES
- ACCOMODATIONS
- RESTAURANTS
- ATTRACTIONS
- EVENTS
- USEFULL
Les Marais du Vigueirat
Fun-but-educational trail, accessible to families, both young children and old parents! A trail on stilts so you can get closer to nature. And if your children are good walkers, there are guided natur...
Horse riding
Tennis
Artistics workshop
Circuit
Zoos and farms
Mas du Petit Fourchon
What fabulous surroundings! It’s fantastic! perfect for you and your family! Just 5 mins from the centre of Arles, yet in the heart of the country, this 18th century «mas» has really big, tasteful...
no information
L'Ardoise
Trendy café-restaurant, good children’s menus, sweets and, wait for it – a Kinder egg for dessert! OK, not exactly healthy eating but just imagine the look on your child’s face when it appears on the table... won’t do any harm just this once!
Au jardin du Calendal
Restaurant with garden, in the middle of the old town centre (opposite the Théâtre Antique). All sorts of family-friendly features: an enclosed garden, games, a nice children’s menu (varies according to what’s on offer at the market), all in lovely surroundings.
The Roman Arena
Dating back to the end of the 1st century AD, this Roman amphitheatre has been the venue for all sorts of events throughout history – gladiator fights, reenactments of hunting trips, and, these days, events involving bulls (but not just bullfights) and concerts ...
Last update 13/07/2008
www.arenes-arles.com/arles_info/index.htm
Last update 13/07/2008
www.arenes-arles.com/arles_info/index.htm
Van Gogh bridge
Famous for having inspired one of Van Gogh’s paintings (the bridge is in fact a copy of the one that inspired him, which was actually in Fos)
Last update 13/07/2008
Last update 13/07/2008
Saint Trophime Church and Cloisters
Van Gogh Center
This used to be the hospital where Van Gogh resided at one time. It is now a culture centre with a media library, exhibition room, shops etc. Brightly coloured, flower-filled garden.
Last update 13/07/2008
Last update 13/07/2008
Roman Theatre
Dating back to around 100 BC, this is one of the very first theatres built by the Romans. It is open to visitors as well as continuing as a venue for concerts and theatre.
Last update 13/07/2008
Last update 13/07/2008
Easter feria
This is the start of the bull-fighting season. Férias are truly typical of Arles, but are not really ideal for a family outing because they attract such enormous crowds that it’s hard to get around, there are hordes of people everywhere and sometimes quite a lot of drink taken! You really must take older children to a bullfight: they may or may not enjoy it but at least they’ll have been to one.
March/April
www.arenes-arles.com
Last update 13/07/2008
March/April
www.arenes-arles.com
Last update 13/07/2008
Festivals in Arles
There are all sorts of activities focusing on horses and the ‘gardian’ tradition, plus the "courses de satin" («satin races»), when gardians race bareback on thoroughbred Camargue horses. The winner gets a silk scarf that he keeps for a year.
End of June
www.fetes-arles.com/satin.php
Last update 13/07/2008
End of June
www.fetes-arles.com/satin.php
Last update 13/07/2008
Pegoulado
The whole town joins in this fancy dress parade through the town to the amphitheatre. Traditional costume enthusiasts, gardians, children, everyone is in fancy or traditional dress.
July
www.fetes-arles.com/pegoulado.php
Last update 23/09/2009
July
www.fetes-arles.com/pegoulado.php
Last update 23/09/2009
First crops
Right in the middle of harvesting the rice grown in the Camargue, Arles has its rice festival. Big colourful parade.
19 - 21 September 2008
www.premicesduriz.com
Last update 13/07/2008
19 - 21 September 2008
www.premicesduriz.com
Last update 13/07/2008
International Santonniers Exhibition
In a variety of venues, crib-scenes from all over the world.
End of November to Mid-January
www.salondessantonniers.com
Last update 13/07/2008
End of November to Mid-January
www.salondessantonniers.com
Last update 13/07/2008
Horse Festival
This festival starts on the Saturday with a horse-riding exhibition in the amphitheatre, followed by an equestrian parade in the town centre. For three days, the amphitheatre becomes a ‘horse village’. This year’s theme is linked to what’s happening in the world of sport: «The Olympic Games for Horses».
11-13 September
Last update 30/06/2009
11-13 September
Last update 30/06/2009
Foodlovers’ Camargue
The aim of this event is to promote Camargue rice and the local produce for which the region is famed. Taster sessions, workshops on the various products, play and learn activities for children etc.
11-13 September
Last update 30/06/2009
11-13 September
Last update 30/06/2009
Drôles de Noëls
Every year, in the run-up to Christmas, fairyland comes to the streets of Arles: a festival of children’s shows and entertainment including theatre, puppets, stories, music, illuminations... and there are even special events for the very young.
20th - 24th december
www.droles-de-noels.fr
Last update 16/11/2008
20th - 24th december
www.droles-de-noels.fr
Last update 16/11/2008
Baby equipment for hire
Babyloc : wherever you may be, «babyloc» can deliver whatever baby equipment you need. Handy for travelling light on your holiday!
www.babyloc.net
Last update 24/10/2008
www.babyloc.net
Last update 24/10/2008
Tourist office
Has all the info you need about Arles. Boulevard des Lices, open daily April 1st – September 30th, 9am – 6.45pm and Monday to Saturday 9.am – 4.45pm, Sunday 10am – 12.45pm from October 1st – March 31st.
www.arlestourisme.com
Last update 18/06/2009
www.arlestourisme.com
Last update 18/06/2009
Traditional market
The market in Arles is one of the most famous and popular markets in the area. Wednesday and Saturday mornings, Bvd des Lices and Bvd Clémenceau.
Last update 13/07/2008
Last update 13/07/2008
