Visit Arles : The must-sees
Arles is a beautiful city in the south of France, famous for its stunning Roman ruins and its association with the artist Vincent van Gogh. Arles is situated in the region Provence Alps French Riviera whose capital is Marseille.
If you’re planning to visit Arles, here are some things you might want to see and do
Roman Amphitheater
The Roman Amphitheatre in Arles is one of the largest in the world, with a seating capacity of up to 20,000 spectators. It was built in the 1st century AD and is still used today for concerts and other events.
Alyscamps
The Alyscamps is a Roman necropolis located just outside the city walls of Arles, in the south of France. The name “Alyscamps” comes from the Latin “Elysium campos,” meaning “fields of Elysium,” which was a term used in Roman mythology to describe the afterlife.
The Alyscamps was an important burial site in Roman times and was used for centuries by the inhabitants of Arles and the surrounding area. It was also the site of several Christian burials during the early Middle Ages. Today, the Alyscamps is a popular tourist attraction, known for its beautiful Roman tombs and its association with the artist Vincent van Gogh.
Van Gogh painted a series of works depicting the Alyscamps in 1888, during his time in Arles. The paintings capture the beautiful, haunting quality of the site, with its rows of ancient sarcophagi and cypress trees. Van Gogh was drawn to the Alyscamps because of its connection to the past and to the idea of the afterlife, which he found deeply compelling.
Today, visitors to the Alyscamps can stroll along the rows of ancient tombs and take in the peaceful, contemplative atmosphere of the site. The Alyscamps is also the site of an annual All Saints’ Day festival, during which the tombs are decorated with flowers and candles in honor of the dead.
Van Gogh Yellow House
The Yellow House in Arles is a historic building that was famously occupied by the Dutch post-impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh in 1888. He lived there for a period of time with the artist Paul Gauguin, who he had invited to join him in Arles to establish an artist’s colony. During their time in the Yellow House, the two artists worked together and produced some of their most famous paintings.
The Yellow House was a simple, two-story building located on the Place Lamartine in Arles. Van Gogh rented four rooms on the right-hand side of the building, which he used as his studio and living quarters. He decorated the rooms himself, painting the walls in bright, vivid colors and decorating them with his own artwork.
Unfortunately, the Yellow House was badly damaged during World War II and was eventually demolished in the 1950s. However, a replica of the building was constructed on the site in the 1990s, using Van Gogh’s paintings and sketches as a guide. The new building is not an exact replica, but it captures the spirit of the original Yellow House and serves as a museum dedicated to Van Gogh’s time in Arles.
Today, visitors can tour the replica of the Yellow House and see some of Van Gogh’s paintings and sketches from his time in Arles. The museum also features exhibits on Van Gogh’s life and work, as well as information on the history and culture of Arles itself.
