Arles Travel Guide Holiday Rentals - Villas & Apartments to Rent In Arles, Provence
Arles sits on the banks of the Rhône river in Provence and is steeped in history dating back to the Roman times. The two-tiered Roman amphitheatre of Arles is the show piece and is still used today where a 20,000 strong crowd watch bull fights.
Arles' other claim to fame is that it was the place that inspired Vincent van Gogh to paint 300 paintings in just 15 months - from the Arlesians and orchards to the landscapes and bars.
The town and surrounding countryside is simply stunning and its easy to spend a day just wandering through the narrow streets and squares such as Place du Forum and Plaza de la Republique, soaking up the architectural masterpieces over a anise-flavoured pastis.
The ruins of the Roman theatre are a popular tourist hang-out and are still used to screen movies such as Ben Hur, Quo Vadis and Gladiator during the summer Roman festival.
| At a glance... | |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | 40+ |
| Rhône river cruises | ✔ |
| Hiking trails | ✔ |
| Wine tasting | ✔ |
| Spa & wellness | ✔ |
| Family friendly | ✔ |
| Car recommended | ✔ |
| Nearest beach | Le Grau du Roi (53kms) |
| Local airport | Nîmes (23km) |
| Nearest major airport | Marseilles (77km) |
| Nearest train station | Arles (Paris TVG line) |
Arles is the perfect place to discover and explore Provencal cuisine which is characterised by garlic, olive oil, tomato sauce and above all aromatic herbs.
And, then there are the local wines where around 80% of the local production is red wine. There are dozens of vineyards in the area such as Grand Mas de Lansac and Château Romanin where you can go wine tasting - a very popular day out.
Featured Arles Villas
Arles Holiday Rentals
Many of the colourful town houses in Arles are used as holiday homes providing easy access to the city's tourist attractions.
The surrounding countryside is also a popular place to stay offering a wide selection of self catering holiday rental accommodation from rustic villas to old farmhouses.
Renting an Arles villa or holiday home can be the ideal base for exploring the city and neighbouring villages around the Camargue. Holiday rentals are perfect for families, friends and groups and provide the freedom, flexibility and space to do what you want, when you want - home from home.
Arles sits on the edge of the Camargue and enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 180 days of sunshine a year. During the warm summer months, temperatures can reach into the mid 30s whereas during winter, it can drop below freezing with snow frequently seen on the distant mountain peaks of the Monts de Vaucluse.
Things to see and do
Arles and the surrounding area is full of interesting villages, historic cities and countryside to explore. A few suggestions...
| Popular Attractions | |
|---|---|
| Church of St Trophime (Place de la République) | ✔ |
| Musée Réattu - art museum | ✔ |
| Les Baux - a half-ruined, fortified medieval city | ✔ |
| Marshes of Vigueirat | ✔ |
| The Méjanes tourist train | ✔ |
| Wine tasting at the vineyards | ✔ |
Our view on Arles
One of the most historically rich towns in Provence, Arles can seem like being in a time warp with evidence of the glory days of the Roman empire on every street and square. Surrounded by beautiful countryside filled with orchards, Arles is perfectly positioned for exploring the nature reserves, rivers and lakes of the Camargue. If you are thinking of renting a villa and exploring Provence, Arles is not to be missed.
