Arles is a city in France. Latest reviews about Arla. Guides in Arles

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The territory of Arles was inhabited back in the first millennium BC, at that time the Ligurians lived here.
In 123 BC. the city was captured by the Romans. And Arles began to blossom and becomes important city, this was facilitated by the construction of a canal in 104 BC, connecting the city with Mediterranean Sea. But for some time he remained in the shadow of Marseille. Until chance provided him with the opportunity to side with Caesar in his fight against Pompey, who was supported by Marseille. Thanks to which, in 46 BC. became a Roman colony - Colonia Iulia Paterna Arelatensium Sextanorum, where the veterans of the sixth Roman legion settled. Arelat– this is the name of the city in Latin.
Streets with sidewalks, a forum, a theater, an arena, and marble public baths with running water, an aqueduct 75 km long: the city is supplied with water from 3 canals: for private houses, for public baths and for fountains, temples of Augustus, Diana, and the Good Goddess will be built.
There were significant shipyards here. The Arles boatmen formed five great corporations, and their vessels plied the Durance and the Rhône.
In Arles there was a trading aristocracy, which concentrated in its hands the transportation of goods throughout the flourishing region of the Rhone. Its inhabitants were very devoted to luxury and pleasure.

Amphitheater was the main building of Galia. The elliptical-shaped auditorium accommodated 12 thousand people. Mostly Roman legionaries from the local garrison came here; gladiator fights with wild animals served as entertainment. Later, bloody or bloodless bullfights began to be held here. Bloodless bullfights are still a typical spectacle for Provence.

Roman theater in 12 BC

The Roman circus was built in 149 under Emperor Antonio Pius. The circus was built outside the city walls. 20 thousand spectators intervened.
It should be noted that the 2nd century was only the beginning of prosperity for Arles, which grew more and more over time. Of all the Gallic cities, only one Arles he had the good fortune to grow and get rich: in his life there were neither such periods of stagnation and even regression as Trier, Bordeaux and Narbonne experienced, nor such a sudden collapse as in the history of Fréjus, Nîmes and Lyon. was the “happy city” throughout Roman Gaul.

Arles. Provence. France.

In the IV-V centuries. Arles reached the peak of its development, the military city became a cultural and religious center, the most populous city in Gaul. In the 4th century, the temporary residence of Emperor Constantine the Great was located here. (he called the second capital of his empire, Little Gallic Rome).
In the 4th century it became the richest city in the entire West.
“The riches of the whole world flow here”, - one modern writer said about Arles.
And even the emperors themselves spoke of him with admiration. They loved him and willingly lived in Arles, as in Trier.
At this time, Arles became a symbol of Christianity, the first early Christian basilica appeared (IV century)
In 934-1032 the city became the capital of the Kingdom of Arles.
In the 5th century, on the site of the old cathedral, a Church of Saint-Trophime, in honor of the holy first martyr Stephen.

Church of St. Trophim.

In 1152, the rebuilt St. Stephen's Cathedral was dedicated to St. Trophimus, the founder of the first Christian community in Arle. Tradition calls Saint Trophimus the first bishop Arles(II-III centuries).
The Church of St. Trophim has three naves. In 1430, the eastern part of the temple was rebuilt, and in the 19th century. completely restored. The church portal is a masterpiece of Provençal sculpture. The figures of the apostles are placed between the columns and pilasters.

The square in front of the Church of St. Trophim.

The holy martyr was buried at Arelat cemetery Alyskamp entitled " Champs Elysees", or otherwise "The Road to Paradise" (Les Alyscamps).

Necropolis of Alyscamp.

Necropolises of Alyscamps spread along Aurelia streets.

Ancient Alyscamp cemetery, meaning "Champs Elysees" or "Road to Paradise", is known back in the pre-Christian period of Arelat's history and was located outside the city walls along the Roman road Via Aurelia, connecting Arelat () with Massilia (Marseille).
In the 3rd century, the holy martyr Genest was buried here, after which a Christian necropolis was formed around his grave and the chapel built above it.
Most of the necropolises have not survived. But many are depicted in the paintings of Van Gogh and Gauguin.

Necropolis of Alyscamp.

Church of St. Honora at the Champs Elysees cemetery. The church was erected on the site of an ancient chapel in honor of St. Martyr Genest in the 11th-13th centuries after the transfer of control of the necropolis to the Marseille Abbey of St. Victor. Construction of the main nave of the temple stopped at the beginning of the 13th century, after which the temple remained unfinished to this day.

Arles. Provence. France.

In 1239, Arles became part of the County of Provence. And soon lost the importance of the main port Southern France Marcel.
In 1246, the power of the Angevin dynasty was established in Provence. Since 1481 Arles belongs to France.
Since the end of the 15th century, the economy Arles declines and it becomes one of the provincial towns Southern France.
In the 16th century, Arles experienced a boom again: the city was thriving, new buildings were being erected, and ancient buildings were being restored.

Arles. Provence. France.

From February 1888 to May 1889 artists worked in Arles Gauguin And Vincent Van Gogh.
For Van Gogh this was one of the most fruitful creative periods, here he created more than 200 works, including “Sunflowers”, “Arlesian Woman”, “The Sower”, “The Harvest”, “Night Cafe”, “Red Vineyards in Arles”, “ Van Gogh's bedroom in Arles", "The Yellow House".
Not far from the station on Place Lamartine, Van Gogh set up a workshop for himself, the facade of which was painted yellow. The Yellow House was the name of the workshop; unfortunately, it was not preserved during the war.

Arles. Provence. France.

Vincent was full of hopes that the southern workshop, imbued with an atmosphere of friendship, would become the embryo of the painting of the future.

Some of the buildings and squares painted by the artist can still be seen in the city. Although none of Van Gogh's works are exhibited in Arle.
"Night Cafe" - Cafe "Alcazar" - Vincent wrote three nights in a row.
“Through red and green colors, I tried to express fatal human passions... I tried to show that a cafe is a place where you can go broke, go crazy, commit a crime.”
Van Gogh was in love with Arles and Provence. “Everything around you, wherever you look, begs to be seen.” "I have a constant thirst for work." Van Gogh and Gauguin often painted necropolises of Alyscamps.
Gauguin, unlike Van Gogh, did not like Arles. “Everything here is small, insignificant - nature and people. Without exaggeration, one can say the most miserable hole in the South!”- said Gauguin.
What followed was the story of the cut off ear and the hospital, whose courtyard Van Gogh often painted. Currently located here Cultural Center.
Another famous artist and bullfighting enthusiast, Picasso, painted 2 famous paintings and 57 drawings in Arles.
Arles is also a center for photography; the city is home to one of the most prestigious and expensive

Useful information for tourists about Arles in France - geographical position, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Arles is a city located in the southern part of France, namely in the Bouches-du-Rhone department of the Provence region. It is located on the banks of the Rhone River west of Marseille. Arles is one of the main transport centers of Provence, from which routes to resorts are open Cote d'Azur.

The settlement on the site of modern Arles was founded around 800 BC and was called Arelat. In 123 BC. it was captured by the Romans and became a major cultural and religious center in the Roman Empire, in particular, it played a big role in the spread of Christianity in Gaul. In the 10th-11th centuries, Arles was the capital city of the Kingdom of Arles, and in the 12th century it was annexed to the County of Provence.

The main value of Arles is its historical attractions dating back to the periods of antiquity and the Roman Empire. Ruin ancient city Arelat included by UNESCO in the list of sites World Heritage. In the center of modern Arles you can see part of the former city wall, a Roman amphitheater (which hosted gladiator fights, and today bullfighting and other performances), as well as Roman baths and the remains of a once majestic and luxurious imperial palace. You can learn about the history of the city not only in the Museum of Antiquity, but also in the alleys of Aliscan, a Roman cemetery where wealthy citizens were buried in the Middle Ages, decorating their graves with monumental stone tombstones. Aliskan was considered the most famous necropolis V ancient world and perhaps it is he who is mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy.

In the central square of Arles stands Cathedral, erected in the 12th century and named after the first bishop of Arelat, Saint Trophim. The temple is considered an example of Provençal architecture. The Arlaten Museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Provence in Arles. It was founded by Nobel Prize winner in literature, poet Frédéric Mistral. In the vicinity of the city you can visit the Benedictine Abbey of Montmajour and Les Baux de Provence – small town with medieval castle, and national park Camargue.

Residents of Arles love bullfighting, so from the end of spring to the beginning of autumn, bullfights and bullfights take place here - both in the “soft” style, when a special decoration must be torn from the bull’s horns, and in the classic Spanish style, when the hours-long spectacle ends with the killing of the animal. The townspeople prefer to call the local bullfight a tauromachy.

One of the squares in Arles is named after the Russian writer Nina Berberova, who emigrated to France in the 20s of the 20th century. She is the author of several books, including those dedicated to the life and work of composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky and poet Alexander Blok.

The city of Arles is associated with another celebrity - the artist Vincent Van Gogh moved to Arles from Paris in 1888 in order to create the “Workshop of the South” - a brotherhood of like-minded people in painting. During the year of his life in Arles, Van Gogh created several outstanding paintings, but it was not possible to organize a society of like-minded painters. Instead, the artist was placed in a psychiatric hospital, and city residents even wrote a letter to the mayor of Arles asking him to protect them from the violent madman. In 1889, Van Gogh moved to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a village near Arles where the mentally ill lived, and then to Auvers-sur-Oise near Paris, and in the summer of 1890 he died due to a self-inflicted wound. shooting from a pistol into the heart. Currently, one of the cafes in Arles replicates the interior that Van Gogh depicted in the painting “Night Cafe”. Arles also has a cultural center and a foundation named after the artist.

Arles (France) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Arles with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Arles (France)

Champs Elysees (Alyscamps) - an extensive Roman burial site that provides evidence ancient history Arles. This Gallo-Roman necropolis is located on the southeastern outskirts of the old city. In the Middle Ages this cemetery was very revered, so there are burials here from all over the area. Most of the stone tombs date from the Middle Ages. The most beautiful sarcophagi were placed in museums. At the end of the necropolis there is a small 12th-century medieval church whose side chapel contains a 4th-century tomb.

Saint-Trophime is a monastery with a church, which is considered the main attraction of the Middle Ages in Arles. The monastery was founded in the 12th century and combines various medieval architectural styles, including Romanesque elements and Gothic. Saint-Trophime is known for its sculptures and rich architecture, as well as its beautiful tapestries. The nearby church is also dedicated to St. Trofim. It was built in the Romanesque style and has a beautiful facade with scenes from the Last Judgment. In the interior of the church you can admire ancient tapestries and a Gothic choir.

The Baths of Constantine is a vast antique bath complex built in the 4th century AD. The baths were built on behalf of Emperor Constantine, who loved to visit Arles. It was once a majestic complex of buildings resembling a palace. Now they are ruins.

Republic Square - central square Arles, located in the heart of the old town. Interesting sights: the monastery and church of Saint-Trophime, the Gothic church of St. Anne (pictured left), built in the 17th century and abandoned after the French Revolution, the 17th century town hall and a 15-meter ancient Egyptian obelisk in front of it.

The Forum is the central square of ancient Arles, of which only the underground arcade now remains.

Notre-Dame-la-Major - ancient church Arles, founded in the 5th century. In the 12th century the old building was replaced by a Romanesque church, and in the 16th century it was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The bell tower was built in 1579. The church has a formal Gothic interior and some interesting religious artifacts and art.

The Rhone River originates in the Rhone Glacier. It flows through two states - Switzerland and France. The total length is 812 kilometers, and its basin area is 98 thousand square kilometers. The name of the river in French is "Rhone".

Cities are located on the banks of the river. On the territory of France - Lyon, Montelimar, Valence, Avillon, Arles. The river from Lyon to Arles is navigable. This water artery is crossed a large number of roads - pedestrian, railway and automobile. Bridges are a special decoration of the Rhone River.

This river has another useful function. In France, hydroelectric power stations were built on the banks of the Rhone. There is also the first French nuclear power plant, Marcoule, built in 1956.

Camargue Nature Reserve

The Camargue Nature Reserve is located in the south of France in the coastal zone of the Provence region. This is one of two nature reserves in all of Europe where pink flamingos can be found in natural environment a habitat. But this is not the only thing that attracts tourists here. The Camargue is more than 150 thousand hectares of land, some of which are swampy. According to most scientists, the Rhone River delta, in which the Camargue is located, was formed 5,000 years ago. Every year the river brings a lot of silt and gravel ashore, making the land fertile. Several types of lavender, juniper, tamarisk, meadow grasses and flowers grow here, there are real rice fields, and many coniferous and deciduous trees.

The Camargue is primarily famous for its white horses and black bulls. Herds of horses lead a wild existence; they are only monitored by specialists from the local biological station. From time to time they are rounded up for veterinary procedures; the rest of the time the horses are free. Their color is remarkable: being born black or bay, they gradually become so pale gray that they seem absolutely snow-white.

Regional natural Park was established on this site in 1970. The park is National Nature Reserve. You can come to its territory to engage in photo hunting for local wildlife or swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

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Village of Les Baux-de-Provence

Lost in the Lesser Alps, northeast of Arles, the village of Les Baux-de-Provence is rightfully considered the most beautiful village in France. It is located at the foot of Beau Castle, on a small plateau, from the height of which a simply stunning view opens.

These places were also inhabited by the Celts. They founded small settlement on the plateau. During the Middle Ages, the settlement acquired the appearance of an impregnable fortress thanks to the citadel built by the noble de Beau family. Here, in different time There were knightly tournaments, performances by famous troubadours and real feasts. The de Beau family had great influence, extending far beyond the borders of Provence. It is no coincidence, apparently, that they traced their ancestry back to one of the wise men who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus.

However, nothing lasts forever, and the influential family soon ceased to exist. For a long time, the settlement remained without a strong owner, practically becoming a stronghold of Protestantism in France. At the beginning of the 17th century, King Louis XIII ordered the destruction of the castle and the fortress wall. Despite this, local residents respectful of their past. The tradition of a Christmas theatrical performance has been preserved, in which the meeting of the Magi with Jesus is played out.

In the town of Le Beau 22 historical monument. In 1822, a mineral was found near this place, named bauxite in honor of Le Beau.

The Arles Amphitheater is a Roman amphitheater that was built back in the 90s BC. This is a grandiose structure of the Roman Empire, which, according to experts, was planned to accommodate about 21,000 people. The dimensions of the amphitheater are quite large: length – 136 meters, width – 107 meters. In general, the amphitheater forms an ellipse in the shape of two levels, which consist of 60 arcades.

In the past, both chariot races and gladiator fights were held here. The arenas of Arles were used for entertainment until the end of the Roman Empire. Since the 6th century, arenas were used as a fortress in which people took refuge from barbarians. More than 200 buildings and 2 churches were built here. Theatrical performances resumed here only in 1830.

Now the amphitheater is a symbol of Arles and the main attraction of the city. Performances, concerts, and bullfights are regularly held here.

Arles Hospital

The famous French artist Vincent Van Gogh, who suffered from sudden mood swings and deterioration in health, repeatedly turned to doctors. Arriving in Arles, he was forced to resort to their help again. Here he was diagnosed with epilepsy. The artist came to Arles under the impression of communicating with his impressionist colleagues. He liked the bright sun here, which gave the landscapes additional contrast. Unfortunately, it was here that Van Gogh began to experience a sharp decline in his mental health. Under pressure from friends and neighbors, the artist visited a hospital in Arles.

Here the artist, in his own words, turned into an “unbridled colorist,” finding more and more garish and new shades of paint on his canvases.

"Cafe terrace at night" in Arles

Arles is a small town located in the south of France, near the banks of the Rhone River. The population is approximately 50 thousand people. Arles is known mainly due to the fact that at the end of the 19th century the world famous post-impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh lived and worked in this city. Here in the autumn of 1888 he painted his painting “Cafe Terrace at Night”. Now this cafe is named after the artist - "Cafe Van Gogh". The walls of the establishment are still painted in the bright yellow color that Van Gogh once captured on his canvas. It is relatively uncrowded and very cozy, especially in the evening, when the lanterns hanging at the entrance light up, reminiscent of distant times when the great artist drew his inspiration looking at the evening streets of Arles.

City Ethnographic Museum of Arles

City Ethnographic Museum French city Arles is located in an ancient building, built at the beginning of the fifteenth century by the old Provençal family of Castellani; since 1628, the school of the Jesuit order has been located here. After the Jesuit order was abolished, the building stood empty until the first ethnographic museum in France was opened here in 1899, on the initiative of the French poet Frédéric Mistral, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

The basis of the museum was the collection of Frederic Mistral, which included many objects and documents from Everyday life Provence from ancient times to the present day. Costumes, furniture, religious and household items, dishes and utensils - in total more than thirty-five thousand exhibits are exhibited today in the museum's halls, and the collection is constantly being replenished. In the museum's courtyard, archaeological excavations uncovered the ruins of an ancient Roman forum, open for inspection.

Roman obelisk on the square Republic

The Roman obelisk decorates the square. Republic. It was installed by Emperor Constantine II in the center of the Roman circus. Then it was destroyed, but in 1389 it was again installed on a pedestal. Made of red granite, 20m high. It is the only obelisk in Europe that is not of Egyptian origin.

The most popular attractions in Arles with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose best places for visiting famous places Arles on our website.

Arles is old City, whose history goes back to the distant past. In the city great amount ancient buildings dating back to Roman times. All the ancient Roman monuments of the city are included in the UNESCO heritage list and are of great interest to city guests.
In addition, Arles is famous for the fact that it was here that the great Van Gogh, in a fit of madness, cut off his ear. It was in Arles that the artist completed the most brilliant and famous works in his career, but here he began to experience constant bouts of madness.

The city's attractions

Urban development in Arles is quite traditional for cities in the south of France. Small, cozy houses made of white brick, covered with red tiles and blue shutters on the windows - this is approximately what standard city blocks of the city look like.

Between the houses there are shady alleys, where it is so pleasant to sit and relax. Well, the city center greets us with ancient Roman buildings, with which many associate Arles.

The amphitheater hosts traditional bullfights

The theater and amphitheater buildings built in Roman times are especially popular. The amphitheater looks the most majestic and seats about 25 thousand spectators.

Currently, the building is still in use and traditional bullfights are held there.

Several towers built in the Middle Ages are attached to the amphitheater. At that time, the amphitheater was rebuilt into a fortress. Unfortunately, little remains of the theater, only a few columns and the ruins of another part. The ruins of the theater are famous for the fact that it was here that the world famous statue of Venus was discovered, which is currently on display in the Louvre.

Main building of the Church of Sant Trofim

On main square Arles is home to many other buildings. The main building of the square is the Church of Sant Trofim, which was built in the 3rd century, in honor of a local saint. The church looks quite simple, but the carved portal, made in the 12th century, greatly adds color and attractiveness to the building.

The Church of Sant Trofime is not only important in historically building, it is also famous for the fact that in 1178 it was here that Frederick Barbarossa was crowned. Next to the church is the city hall, built in the 17th century, with a bell tower. There are several historically significant buildings and museums around.

The Arlesian Museum is of interest to those who want to take a closer look at the history of the city and the region. Founded at the end of the 19th century, the museum offers rich collection visual arts, furniture, household items and decorations. The Museum of Old Arles, dedicated to the ancient history of the city, is also interesting to visit.

Remains of the palace of Emperor Constantine

Near the river are the remains of the palace of Emperor Constantine, which was almost completely destroyed during the invasion of the city by the Visigoth tribes. The embankment suffered greatly during the Second World War, many parts were completely destroyed during the bombing.

But, after the onset of peacetime, the best architects of the country took up the restoration and restoration of the most beautiful part of Arles. Something was built anew, something was recreated again. In particular, the famous street lamps that are depicted on Van Gogh’s canvas can be seen in their original form.

It is impossible not to dwell on the figure of Van Gogh. A shadow that haunts residents and visitors of the city in almost all parts of the city. In almost all restaurants, cafes and bistros of Arles, especially in its central part, there is speculation on the name of the artist.

The artist arrived in the city in 1888, and during his stay in Arles, more than 200 canvases were painted.

A year later, Gauguin arrives to visit Van Gogh. During friendly gatherings, the great artist suffered from some kind of insanity, the culprit of which may have been absinthe; the result of this is known even to people who are not the most knowledgeable in painting; Van Gogh cut off his ear.

The painter was sent to the clinic, which currently houses an art gallery dedicated to its great resident.

Later, the residents of Arles wrote a petition, which resulted in Van Gogh being transferred to live in the monastery of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. After some time, the artist died.

True, this happened already near Paris, in a small psychiatric clinic where it was placed. Another cult place for fans of Van Gogh’s talent is a small cafe located on the Forum Square.

The interior of Van Gogh's cafe is completely identical to the one depicted in the artist's painting, and has been maintained this way for many years.

Fortunately, there are a lot of people who want to visit the cafe and join, at least in this way, the work of the great artist.

Arles is for real tourist town. For the convenience of city guests, everything is done here. If you have the opportunity to visit Arles, then it is definitely worth doing, it is unlikely that anyone will be dissatisfied.