FRANCE - Best of Europe 2014 - page 428

Internet Access: There's an Internet café near Place Voltaire at 31 Rue Augustin Tardieu
(daily, tel. [phone]).
BaggageStorageandBikeRental: Therecommended HôtelRégence willstoreyourbags
for €3 (daily 7:30-22:00 mid-March-mid-Nov, closed in winter, 5 Rue Marius Jouveau).
They also rent bikes (€7/half-day, €14/day, one-way rentals within Provence possible,
same hours as baggage storage) and may have electric bikes—ask.
Laundry: Alaunderetteisat12RuePortagnel(daily7:00-21:30,youcanstaylatertofinish
if you're already inside, English instructions).
CarRental:Avis isatthetrainstation(tel.[phone]); Europcar and Hertz aredown-
town (Europcar is at 61 Avenue de Stalingrad, tel. [phone]; Hertz is closer to
Place Voltaire at 10 Boulevard Emile Combes, tel. [phone]).
Local Guide: Charming Agnes Barrier is a good guide, knows Arles and nearby sights
intimately, and loves her work. Her tours of Arles cover Van Gogh and Roman history
(€130/3 hours, mobile [phone], [e-mail] ).
English Book Exchange: A small exchange is available at the recommended Soleileis ice-
cream shop.
PublicPools: Arleshasthreepublicpools(indoorandoutdoor).AskattheTIoryourhotel.
Boules: The local “ boul ing alley” is by the river on Place Lamartine. After their afternoon
naps, the old boys congregate here for a game of pétanque .
Getting Around Arles
In this flat city, everything's within walking distance. Only the Ancient History Museum
requires a healthy walk (or you can take a taxi or bus). The elevated riverside promenade
provides Rhône views and a direct route to the Ancient History Museum (to the southwest)
and the train station (to the northeast). Keep your head up for Starry Night memories, but
eyes down for decorations by dogs with poorly trained owners.
Arles' taxis charge a set fee of about €10, but nothing except the Ancient History Mu-
seum is worth a taxi ride. To call a cab, dial 04 89 73 36 00 or 04 90 96 90 03.
Thefree Enviaminibus circlesthetown(3/hour,Mon-Sat7:00-19:00,noneSun),useful
for access to the train station and the Ancient History Museum.
Le Petit Train d'Arles, a typical tourist train, gives you the lay of the land—if you
prefer sitting to walking (€7, 35 minutes, stops in front of the main TI and at the Roman
Arena).
Sights in Arles
Most sights cost €3.50-7, and though any sight warrants a few minutes, many aren't worth
their individual admission price. The TI sells two different monument passes (called “Passe-