arles | benvengudo provence hotel & restaurant

Unesco World Heritage listed city of Arles, 2000 years of history... Information provided by your Provence hotel and restaurant, Benvengudo…

Located a mere 20 kilometres from Benvengudo lays Arles, a strategic spot at the heart of Provence, and an historical town loved by Roman Emperors, Kings and artists.

The central Provence location of Benvengudo makes it your ideal Arles hotel & restaurant, allowing you to enjoy unlimited easy trips to the city, and then come back to your quiet hotel room in Les Baux.

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Arles features

Established around 600 BC by the Greeks, like Marseille and other towns in the area, Arles became Roman when conquered by Emperor Julius Cesar in 46 BC. This led to the first Golden Age of the city, then dubbed « Little Rome in Gaul ».

Serving as a major port, Arles was of considerable importance for the Romans and possessed numerous Romanesque monuments, including an amphitheatre, triumphal arch, Roman circus, theatre and a full circuit of walls. Today, some of these buildings (or their remains) are still visible and well preserved; this allows Arles to be listed amongst the prestigious Unesco World Heritage list in 1981.

During the late Roman Empire, Arles became renowned as a religious and cultural centre, leading to another era of prosperity. However, the medieval invasions brought the city to ruins and Arles was rebuilt during the 12th century.

Set on the Rhone River, Arles remained an important regional port until the railway arrived in the 19th century.

Today, Arles comprises of 50.000 habitants.

From a cultural point of view, Arles includes major archaeological sites and monuments, most of them dating from the Roman Empire period. Arles also hosts a superb museum of ancient history, the Musée de l'Arles et de la Provence antiques, displaying one of the best collections of Roman sarcophagi to be found anywhere outside Rome itself, amongst other masterpieces. Other Arles museums notably focus on local Provence traditions and habits, or on photography; French national school of photography being located in the city.

Arles is also famous for having inspired major artists; Vincent Van Gogh being the most illustrious of them. During his stay in Arles, Vincent produced more than 300 paintings, including some of his most famous ones (such as The Night Cafe or the Yellow Room). Attracted by the luminosity of Provence, Vincent stayed 15 months in Arles... and still today, you can feel his presence everywhere. Local poet Frederic Mistral created in 1856 the Félibrige, a literary movement designed to protect and promote the Provencal language. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1904 and built the Museon Arlaten, still exhibiting Provencal folkloric items and explaining daily life in Provence.

What to do in Arles

A trip to Arles will of course delight the historical amateur!

The Roman amphitheatre (the arena), the Roman theatre, the Cryptoportico (foundations of the Roman Forum), the Roman baths of Constantine, the remains of the Roman circus, the cloister and portal of St. Trophime’s and the Alyscamp cemetery... These historical wonders are not to be missed on your next Arles visit.

Provencal traditions are still respected and carefully followed by Arles population. As a festival city, not a month goes by without an important event! Most notably, the Easter bullfighting Feria, held in Arles arenas, is a major local attraction, bringing thousands of visitors to the city.

Arles Provencal markets are also a way to mix with the locals and breathe that special atmosphere Provence is all about.

The friendly staff at your Arles hotel & restaurant will be able to guide you during your next stay.

Videos

Below are a few videos covering Arles and offering some additional information. Please note Benvengudo does not accept any liability for their content.

Arles Patrimoine Mondial de l'Humanité
(very good snapshot of Arles, its history and traditions - musical background)


Arles Global Treasures
(focus on historical Arles monuments - in English)


A day in Arles
(excerpts from a ballad in Arles - musical background)


Benvengudo is your ideal choice amongst all the Arles hotels. Located in the heart of Provence, our boutique hotel offers easy access to the delightful village of Les Baux de Provence. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Arles, Avignon are nearby and Marseille International Airport is just over an hour away... See all the Provence attractions, events and historical locations that surround us. Make your online Provence hotel reservation, enquire online or call our friendly Reservations Team on ++33 (0)4 90 54 32 54 to book. Browse our classic Provence hotel accommodation rooms or explore our Provence hotel specials, packages and deals for your next Provence holidays, romantic getaways or weekend and mid-week escapes.