| Arles A Touch of Ancient Rome in Provence |
Arles in Eastern Provence is designated
a UNESCO World Heritage Site because
of its well- preserved Roman ruins.
a UNESCO World Heritage Site because
of its well- preserved Roman ruins.
Text and Photos David Hilbert
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.
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.
History
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Arles, Provence, Vacation
Rentals Amidst Roman Ruins in
Rentals Amidst Roman Ruins in
| Arles, an Ancient Roman City in Provence, The South of France |
| Arles, Renting a House or Vacation Rental In Provence for Hiking, Biking, and the Culinary Vacation |
Arles, Renting a house or
vacation rental apartment 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 Aix,
Marseilles, the Camargue, and
Avignon within reach. The city itself
is spectacular with major roman
Ruins everywhere.
vacation rental apartment 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 Aix,
Marseilles, the Camargue, 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.
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 is still used
in Provence. The coliseum is still used
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Dave Hilbert's
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