Arles is a Roman city on the Rhône, just before the river divides to form the Camargue delta. Its ancient and Romanesque monuments are concentrated in a compact centre, while the commune, the largest in metropolitan France, stretches far out towards the rice fields and lagoons.
Choosing where to stay in Arles starts with deciding whether you want to explore the city on foot, close to its ancient stonework, or stay in the countryside, with a garden and pool for summer afternoons. This guide will help you decide, with places we've hand-picked one by one.
Arles accommodation is mostly holiday homes and guesthouses; there are fewer hotels. See our full list of places to stay in Arles.
Which neighbourhood should you stay in?
Arles' centre is small, but each neighbourhood has its own feel:
- Historic centre: the Arena, ancient theatre, Place du Forum and Saint-Trophime cloister are all close by; the best choice for a first visit without a car.
- La Roquette: the old boatmen's neighbourhood, to the west near the Rhône; expect narrow streets, small squares and neighbourhood terraces.
- La Cavalerie and the station: north of the old walls, simpler and quieter in the evenings, and convenient if you're arriving by train.
- Trinquetaille: on the right bank of the Rhône, with lovely views of the city from the quays.
- Arles countryside: farmhouses and homes between the Crau and the Camargue, with plenty of space, but a car is essential.
For a weekend, the centre wins: being able to dine on Place du Forum and walk home makes all the difference. For a week with the family in midsummer, a house with a pool is worth a few kilometres of driving. Here are our picks.
Guesthouses in central Arles
In the centre, the charm lies in old stone houses and terraces overlooking tiled rooftops. These four places let you forget about the car.
Ô Anges
A guesthouse close to the ancient monuments, with a garden where breakfast is served à la carte rather than as a set menu. The rooms are air-conditioned, a real comfort when the stone buildings soak up the July heat. Park in a nearby free public car park, then explore everything on foot.
Maison de charme d'Arles
Air-conditioned rooms look either onto the garden or over the city's rooftops: ask for the former if you're a light sleeper. Continental breakfast is served in peaceful surroundings, and Wi-Fi is free. A good choice for couples visiting Arles on foot.
La maison d’arles
The Arena, museums and station are all within walking distance, making this an ideal base for a car-free stay. A terrace and shared lounge offer space to relax between visits, and each room has its own view. The atmosphere here is more like a private home than a hotel.
Loft Apartment , La Terrasse Centre Ville d'Arles,
An air-conditioned loft with a fully equipped kitchenette and a rooftop terrace, just minutes from the ancient monuments. The kitchen makes it easy to eat in after Saturday's market, and the terrace is ideal for summer evenings. An independent option, perfect for stays of several nights.
Gardens, parking and peace and quiet near the centre
A little way beyond the old walls, you'll find more space and easier parking. Here are two options for those arriving by car.
Holiday in Arles -Villa Jacuzzi
A four-bedroom villa with a fully equipped kitchen, a terrace overlooking the garden and a private hot tub: plenty of room for a large family or two couples travelling together. Meals can be enjoyed outdoors in a furnished area. Parking is in a free public car park, and you'll need to plan your grocery shopping.
Hôtel du Parc
A tiny hotel with just two rooms, which differ in size and facilities: the room overlooking the garden has its own bathroom. Free private parking and Wi-Fi make arrival easier, and pets are welcome. With so few rooms, it's best to book early for festival dates.
Farmhouses and homes with pools outside the centre
The countryside around the city is a patchwork of meadows, canals, rice fields and rows of plane trees. These three places, away from the historic centre, are ideal for anyone looking for a pool, space and quiet nights.
Le Mas Neuf 1752
This farmhouse offers suites, apartments and a villa, making it suitable for couples and families alike. The outdoor pool in the garden uses salt water, and continental breakfast is served on site. Pets are welcome; check the distance to the centre if you're planning to get by without a car.
ARLES CAMPAGNE LOCATION "La Campagn'Arles"
A countryside guesthouse near Arles, with a garden terrace and continental breakfast. Bikes are available to borrow, making it easy to reach the city or explore the quiet country roads, and private parking is free. Pets are welcome, but getting here without a car isn't very practical.
Le domaine de Mika & Nina
Several holiday homes share the same grounds, with equipped kitchens, gardens, terraces and an outdoor pool; one even has its own private pool. The homes come in different sizes, making them suitable for families and groups of friends alike. It's a self-catering stay, so you'll need to arrange your own meals and groceries.
What to see in Arles
Start your visit at the Arena, a Roman amphitheatre dating from the late 1st century, still used for bullfights and Camargue-style bull races. Right next door, the ancient theatre still has two standing columns. Then head down to the cryptoporticoes, underground galleries beneath the former forum, and the Saint-Trophime cloister, whose sculpted Romanesque portal opens onto Place de la République.
Southeast of the old walls, the Alyscamps, a tree-lined avenue of sarcophagi, inspired Van Gogh and Gauguin. The painter lived here for around fifteen months, and the Vincent van Gogh Foundation Arles brings his paintings into conversation with contemporary artists. On the banks of the Rhône, the Musée départemental Arles antique displays a Gallo-Roman barge recovered from the river, while the Museon Arlaten, founded by Frédéric Mistral, tells the story of Provence in times past.
Nearby, LUMA Arles occupies a former 7-hectare railway site. Highlights include Frank Gehry's steel tower, 19th-century workshops converted into exhibition spaces and a 4-hectare park designed by landscape architect Bas Smets; access to the tower is free.
Nearby
- Montmajour Abbey: a few kilometres to the northeast, this large Romanesque and Gothic complex stands on a hill.
- Camargue: pink flamingos, white horses and rice fields, stretching to Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and the sea, a 45-minute drive away.
- Alpilles: Les Baux-de-Provence and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, amid olive groves and hilltop villages.
When to visit Arles
Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons. Summer is very hot and lively, while winter is quiet and sometimes swept by the mistral wind.
The Easter Feria opens France's bullfighting season: in 2027, it runs from 26 to 29 March, with bullfights in the Arena, abrivados and bodegas in the streets. Every year from July into autumn, the Rencontres d'Arles, founded in 1970, brings photography exhibitions to heritage sites across the city, and the Rice Feria returns in September. Until 30 September 2027, a major free exhibition, awarded the Ministry of Culture's “Bicentennial of Photography” label, is also on display at several venues across the commune. Book well in advance for these dates.
Getting there and getting around
Arles station, north of the historic centre, is served by TER trains from Marseille, Avignon and Nîmes; the latter two cities are around 20 minutes away. From Paris, the usual route is to take a high-speed train to Avignon, Nîmes or Marseille, then transfer to a TER. The nearest airports are Nîmes, which has few routes, and Marseille Provence, about 65 km away.
Arles is on the A54 motorway, between Nîmes and Salon-de-Provence. In the centre, where the streets are narrow, leave your car at the edge of the old walls and explore on foot. For the Camargue, the Alpilles and the nearby farmhouses, a car is the most practical option; cycling is a lovely way to cover short distances. Find more places to stay in the region on our Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur page.
Arles features in our guide to where to stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. To compare it with nearby stops, also read where to stay in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, between the sea and lagoons, where to stay in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, at the foot of the Alpilles, and where to stay in Avignon, home of the popes.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions most often asked when planning a stay in Arles.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Arles?
For most travellers, the historic centre is the best base: the Arena, ancient theatre, Place du Forum and Rhône riverbanks are all a few minutes' walk away. La Roquette, the old boatmen's neighbourhood, has a more residential feel while remaining in the heart of the city. If you're travelling by car with children, a farmhouse or a home with a pool in the Arles countryside gives you more space and peace and quiet.
Can you visit Arles without a car?
Yes. Arles station, served by TER trains from Marseille, Avignon and Nîmes, is north of the historic centre and within walking distance of its guesthouses. Once there, you can visit all the monuments, museums and LUMA Arles on foot. A car is really only useful if you're staying at a farmhouse outside the city or exploring the Camargue, the Alpilles and Montmajour Abbey.
When is the best time to stay in Arles?
Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant times to walk between the monuments. Summer is very hot but lively, thanks to the Rencontres d'Arles, which brings photography exhibitions to venues across the city from July into autumn. The Easter Feria, from 26 to 29 March 2027, and the Rice Feria, held every September, draw large crowds: book your accommodation several months in advance for these dates.
Is Arles a good base for exploring the Camargue?
Yes, it's the natural gateway to the delta: the commune of Arles, the largest in metropolitan France, covers a large part of the Camargue. By car, it's around a 45-minute drive to Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and the sea, through rice fields, lagoons and meadows where horses and bulls graze. Staying at a farmhouse on the edge of the delta lets you set off early to spot pink flamingos, then return to the city for dinner.
Where should you stay in Arles with family or a pet?
Families are best off choosing a holiday home or farmhouse with a pool, such as a four-bedroom villa with a garden, which gives you complete flexibility over meal times and schedules. Several places in this guide welcome pets, including a farmhouse with a saltwater pool, a countryside guesthouse and a small hotel with private parking. Always check each property's conditions before booking.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
5,022 places
