Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cost and Hours:
€6.50, daily May-Sept 9:00-19:00, March-April and Oct 9:00-18:00,
Nov-Feb 10:00-17:00, Rond-point des Arènes, tel. 08 91 70 03 70,
www.arenes-arles.com
.
Visiting the Arena:
Find a seat in the upper deck. In Roman times, games were free
(sponsored by city bigwigs), and fans were seated by social class. Thirty-four rows of stone
bleachers extended all the way to the top of those vacant arches that circle the arena. There
werenogates,justwelcomingarches,numberedtoallowentertainment-seekerstocomeand
go freely. The purpose was to create a populace that was thoroughly Roman—enjoying the
same activities and entertainment, all thinking as one (not unlike Americans' nationwide
obsession with the same reality-TV shows). The many passageways you'll see (called
vomitoires
)allowedforrapiddispersalafterthegames—fightswouldbreakoutamongfren-
zied fans if they couldn't leave quickly. Through medieval times and until the early 1800s,
the arches were bricked up and the stadium became a fortified town—with 200 humble
homes crammed within its circular defenses. Parts of three of the medieval towers survive
(the one above the ticket booth is open and rewards those who climb it with terrific views).
To see two still-sealed arches—complete with cute medieval window frames—turn right as
you leave, walk to the L'Andaluz Restaurant, and look back to the second floor.
• The next three sights are back across town. The Arlaten Folk Museum (may be closed) and
the relocated Fondation Van Gogh are close to Place du Forum, and the Réattu Museum is
near the river.
▲
Arlaten Folk Museum (Musée Arlaten/Museon Arlaten)
This museum, which explains the ins and outs of daily Provençal life, was recently under
renovation and may not be open in time for your visit. Ask at the TI or check the museum's
website for the latest (
www.museonarlaten.fr
, French only).
▲
Fondation Van Gogh
This art gallery recently moved to a new location in the Hôtel Léautaud de Donines, a 15th-
centurytownhouse,andshouldbeopenintimeforyourvisit(5PlaceHonoréClair,between
Place du Forum and Trinquetaille Bridge). A good variety of Van Gogh souvenirs, prints,
andpostcardsareavailableinthegiftshop.Thefollowingdescriptionassumesthecollection
hasremainedintact(fordetails,call0490930808orvisit
www.fondation-vincentvangogh-
arles.org
).
The foundation offers a refreshing stop for modern-art lovers and Van Gogh fans (but be
warned that the collection contains no Van Gogh originals). Contemporary artists, including
Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg, pay homage to Vincent through thought-pro-
voking interpretations of his works). The black-and-white photographs (both art and shots
of places that Vincent painted) complement the paintings. Unfortunately, this collection is
