Roman Ruins in Provence Ancient Rome in Provence
Arles in Eastern
Provence is
designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
because of its well-
preserved Roman ruins.
Provence is
designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
because of its well-
preserved Roman ruins.
Arles was first inhabited in the 7 th century BC as a Phoenician trading center
on the Rhone River, and shows signs of Greek influence owing to archaeological
evidence and pottery of Greek design. Arles later became a Celtic-Ligurian town
in the 3rd century BC and then in the first century BC, a Gallo-Roman city.
The Roman-era arena similar to Rome's Coliseum is so well preserved that it is
still the major arena of the city and is used for bullfighting and other traditional
festivals. The city center also has the remnants of a large Roman theatre and a
Roman bathhouse.
on the Rhone River, and shows signs of Greek influence owing to archaeological
evidence and pottery of Greek design. Arles later became a Celtic-Ligurian town
in the 3rd century BC and then in the first century BC, a Gallo-Roman city.
The Roman-era arena similar to Rome's Coliseum is so well preserved that it is
still the major arena of the city and is used for bullfighting and other traditional
festivals. The city center also has the remnants of a large Roman theatre and a
Roman bathhouse.
When Rome's power waned Arles's prosperity
ended as waves of Goth invaders devastated the
city. Arles then languished until the empire of
Charlemagne settled the region and Arles
returned to prosperity, becoming eventually the
kingdom of Arles.
ended as waves of Goth invaders devastated the
city. Arles then languished until the empire of
Charlemagne settled the region and Arles
returned to prosperity, becoming eventually the
kingdom of Arles.
Arles has Market Day on Wednesday
and celebrates various festivals
throughout the year most notably: a
March Carnival, an April (Easter) bull
event (La Feria Pascale: Corridas).
and a May Jazz festival and a bull and
horse spectacle celebrating the work
of the Guardians (Camargue
cowboys). At this event the women of
Arles dress in costumes of the 17th
century and they elect a Queen of
Arles who will reign for the next year.
In June Les Fetes d'Arles celebrates
with fireworks and in the first two
weeks of July, Arles celebrates
International Photography and the
theatre.
and celebrates various festivals
throughout the year most notably: a
March Carnival, an April (Easter) bull
event (La Feria Pascale: Corridas).
and a May Jazz festival and a bull and
horse spectacle celebrating the work
of the Guardians (Camargue
cowboys). At this event the women of
Arles dress in costumes of the 17th
century and they elect a Queen of
Arles who will reign for the next year.
In June Les Fetes d'Arles celebrates
with fireworks and in the first two
weeks of July, Arles celebrates
International Photography and the
theatre.
Arles Events and Festivals
| Roman Ruins in Arles, Provence |
Arles, an Ancient Roman City in Provence, The South of France
Arles: A vacation in Arles would be a good
bet for travelers that will not have a rental car.
Bus service covers all of Provence and would put
the ruins near Aix, Marseilles, St Remy at
Glanum and Avignon within reach. The city itself
is spectacular with major Roman Ruins
everywhere.
bet for travelers that will not have a rental car.
Bus service covers all of Provence and would put
the ruins near Aix, Marseilles, St Remy at
Glanum and Avignon within reach. The city itself
is spectacular with major Roman Ruins
everywhere.
In early September Arles celebrates
a Rice Festival with Camargue
horses and bulls running in the
streets and open barbecues cooking
vats of Paella. The city again hosts
bullfights in the Roman arena.
a Rice Festival with Camargue
horses and bulls running in the
streets and open barbecues cooking
vats of Paella. The city again hosts
bullfights in the Roman arena.
Arles was once an important Roman City in Provence. The coliseum built in the center of
Arles by the Romans is still used for bullfights and other events.
Arles by the Romans is still used for bullfights and other events.
Dave Hilbert's
SoftSeatTravel
SoftSeatTravel
Arles became a major Roman commercial outpost
with the building of a canal in 102 BC that ran
parallel to the Rhone and connected to the sea. By
the 4th century AD, Arles was such a prosperous
Roman city that it was called a second Rome.
with the building of a canal in 102 BC that ran
parallel to the Rhone and connected to the sea. By
the 4th century AD, Arles was such a prosperous
Roman city that it was called a second Rome.
More Roman Ruins in
Provence, Glanum
ruin Site near St Remy
Provence, Glanum
ruin Site near St Remy
When driving or hiking near Arles watch
for the Roman aqueduct that once
brought water to run grain mills near
Arles.
for the Roman aqueduct that once
brought water to run grain mills near
Arles.
Restaurants to write home about:
In Mouries the Valon de Gayet,
in Apt, La Manade,
in Avignon, La Fourchette.
In Mouries the Valon de Gayet,
in Apt, La Manade,
in Avignon, La Fourchette.
| History of Roman Ruins in Arles, Provence Ancient Roman City in Provence |
| Rotary with yield to traffic in rotary |
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Intersection
with right
of way to
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of way to
right
Highway or
Expressway
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No
Passing
zone ends
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zone ends
No Passing
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vehicles
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commercial
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Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations.
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations.
Information for those renting a vehicle in France
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